South Coast Research and Extension Center (South Coast REC), one of nine Research and Extension Centers in the UC Ag and Natural Resources REC System was established by the University of California in 1956 as a representative site for agricultural and horticultural research in California's south coastal plain-temperate climatic zone.
Read about the 2020-2025 REC System Strategic Framework (PDF).
Our Hub for Urban Living
To learn more about the Hub for Urban Living, check out the interactive Prezi below!
Our Research Facilities
Located on 200 acres in Orange County, South Coast Research and Extension Center (South Coast REC), one of nine Research and Extension Centers in the UC Ag and Natural Resources REC System, was established by the University of California in 1956 as a representative site for agricultural and horticultural research in California's south coastal plain-temperate climatic zone.
Greenhouse bench space is maintained for research in six on-site greenhouses, including a large glasshouse equipped with a computerized environment control system. Also available is a lathhouse for acclimation of most plant species and growing of tender stock. The Center also operates three demonstration landscapes for use by urban environment and water use research. Further, the Center maintains germplasms for several subtropical plants, including cherimoya and avocados. A CIMIS station, maintained by the California Department of Water Resources, is also on-site.
Research requests for land, labor and facilities are screened by a research advisory committee. For more information about conducting research at SCREC, visit our website, contact Center Director Lindsey Pedroncelli at Lrpedroncelli@ucanr.edu, or call (949) 653-1810.
Facilities available to general public and researchers
The Center’s main building consists of a 45-seat conference room with full audio-visual capabilities and high-speed internet access. This facility is available to UC researchers and the general public for extension events and activities that align with our mission.
Additionally, the Center maintains:
- A smaller conference room in the Annex building that can seat around 16 people and has a large TV for displaying presentations
- Two outdoor demonstration landscape classrooms with seating for up to 25 people each, along with a covered demonstration area which will accommodate an additional ~20 people
- Barn space available for large events up to 100 people
- Partially covered “breezeway” space with a capacity of 50 people with full kitchen
- Outdoor event spaces
The main conference room has a projector and audio equipment and, depending on how the tables and chairs are set up, can accommodate around 40 people.
The Annex conference room can accommodate about 16 people and has a large whiteboard, a TV screen with an HDMI cord, and conference call speaker/microphone capabilities.
The Annex patio area can be set up to accommodate groups of around 50 people.
Classrooms B and C have whiteboards, a projector screen or TV, and tables and chairs that can be set up in different arrangements to accommodate around 25 people.
The breezeway can be set up in different configurations to seat around 50 people.
For larger events, we have a gravel area where tents can be set up. Please contact us for more information.
The outdoor annex patio area can be set up in several different ways to host events.
The barn can be set up in several different ways to accommodate 75-100 people. Without tables, chairs can be set up for presentations as seen above, with tables around the perimeter to serve food and drinks or hold supplies and materials. Round and rectangular tables are available if you would like to have people sit in a different arrangement. A projector screen and AV equipment is available as well.
Reserving Facilities
There are costs associated with utilizing facilities at South Coast REC. Please refer to the table below for more information, and reach out to Center Director, Lindsey Pedroncelli, if you have any questions Lrpedroncelli@ucanr.edu.
Facility | Capacity | UC-Affiliate Rate | Non-UC Rate |
Main Conference Room | 40 | $200.00 | $267.40 |
Annex Conference Room | 16 | $75.00 | $100.28 |
Breezeway | 50* | $40.00 | $53.48 |
Annex Patio Area | 50* | $40.00 | $53.48 |
Classroom B | 25* | $100.00 | $133.70 |
Classroom C | 25* | $100.00 | $133.70 |
Kitchen | 15* | $35.00 | $46.80 |
Barn | 75* | $40.00 | $53.48 |
*Capacity may vary depending on how the space is set up.
Additionally, if Center staff labor is required to set-up and take down for the event, that will be included in your invoice.
UC-Affiliate Staff Hourly w/ Benefits | Non-UC Staff Hourly w/ Benefits |
$48.87 | $66.46 |
If you are interested in hosting an event with us, please check our calendar for availability and fill out our Facilities Reservation Request form. Please reach out to our Center Director, Lindsey Pedroncelli, if you have any questions Lrpedroncelli@ucanr.edu.