Adult: Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 07/03/06. © Peter J. Bryant

Ochre Sea Star

Pisaster ochraceus

Note: After these pictures were taken, all of the sea stars (multiple species) disappeared from Laguna Beach and other California sites. "There were easily 600 at Crescent and maybe 400 to 500 at Shaw’s and they’re all gone,” said Letty Skeen (Laguna Beach Independent). They have returned in substantial numbers in 2020.

Asteroidea: Asteriidae

Back to Echinoderms of Southern California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California
Back to Intertidal index page


Juvenile: Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 08/11/06. © Peter J. Bryant

Shaw's Cove, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1/9/2014. © Peter J. Bryant

Shaw's Cove, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1/9/2014. © Peter J. Bryant

Shaw's Cove, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1/9/2014. © Peter J. Bryant

Shaw's Cove, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1/9/2014. © Peter J. Bryant.