The 11th Annual Crystal Cove Alliance will take place Sept. 28 with the theme “Wish You Were Here!” organizers announced.
Tickets are currently on sale for $350; click here to buy tickets and for information on table sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, as well as opportunity drawing tickets that are on sale for $100 each.
The event begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on a bluff overlooking Crystal Cove State Park, followed by a four-course dinner and a silent and live auction and a drawing for a three-night stay in the newest restored Historic District cottage. There also will be live music and dancing, according to a news release.
“Crystal Cove Alliance’s gala is the most critical event of the year as it provides financial support for our mission and our many fine programs,” said Laura Davick, Crystal Cove Alliance’s founder, in an email. “This year’s theme ‘Wish You Were Here!’ depicts the joy visitors experience at Crystal Cove, whether it’s for a hike along the bluff or in our backcountry, a ‘citizen science’ student outing or a weekend vacation in our historic cottages.”
The gala’s special honorees will be Laguna Beach residents Michael and Tricia Berns, who are users and supporters of the park and donated $1 million to create the Berns Environmental Study Loop; read more about the Study Loop here and here. The Study Loop grand opening will take place on Jan. 31 and will be the kickoff to California State Park’s sesquicentennial.
Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Crystal Cove Alliance’s mission to preserve and restore Crystal Cove and provide educational programs to visitors, according to an email. The Crystal Cove Alliance was founded in 1999 and has become one of the most successful public-private partnership models in state parks history. The partnership led to the renovation of 29 historic beachfront cottages that are available for overnight stays as well as historic education programs.