Bringing the beach to Solano County, with a beautiful beach-like lagoon

California is known for being home to some of the most popular and iconic beaches in the country. But we continuously hear from Solano families that they have to trek long distances and sit in traffic jams just to get to the coastal beaches where their kids can cool off and have some fun. Family trips to the beach should be idyllic, relaxing, and fun, not wasted on the road in bumper-to-bumper traffic. 

For many years, there was little anyone could do about this – until Crystal Lagoons® invented and patented a new technology to build beautiful, beach-like crystalline lagoons with sand and turquoise water while using 25 times less water than an average 18-hole golf course in Solano County. 

Today, we could not be more excited to announce that California Forever has signed an agreement with Crystal Lagoons to make Solano County the home of the second such lagoon in California. 

The new Solano Lagoon will be built in the great park in the middle of the new community in East Solano, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and entertainment. Importantly, while Crystal Lagoons amenities have sometimes been built to be only accessible to residents of the host community, the Solano Lagoon will be a Public Access Lagoons® project, meaning that it will be open to everyone from Solano County. 

We believe that the Solano Lagoon will be an amazing addition to summers in Solano County. Crystal Lagoons technology is known for creating breathtaking, accessible, and sustainable man-made lagoons that offer a beach-like experience wherever they are built. This lagoon is meant for families to spend summer days, gather for birthday parties, participate in water sports, for kids to splash around during the summer (without fear of sharks!), and for everyone to relax in the sun. Visitors will be able to swim in the dedicated swim areas and have access to kayaks and paddleboards – in addition to several other fun-filled water sports activities.

In 2022, Disney brought the first Crystal Lagoons amenity to California, where it is now under construction as the anchor feature for Disney’s new community in Cotino, in southern California. 

Crystal Lagoons is proud to be part of this transformative development that will generate good-paying jobs, affordable homes, sustainable energy, and new entertainment options for Solano County. Our Public Access Lagoons® projects in urban settings are highly valued for bringing a piece of the ocean right to people’s doorsteps. They offer unparalleled entertainment and quality of life while contributing to sustainability, which has earned us recognition all over the country said Benjamín Fischmann, Regional Director of Crystal Lagoons.

Here are some photos of real-life lagoons in various locations. 

Existing Lagoon in Solanas, Punta Ballena, Uruguay
Existing lagoon in Southshore Bay, Wimauma, Florida
Existing lagoon in Windsong Ranch, Prosper, Texas

Forming a community working group to inform design and community needs

As with the Solano Sports Complex, we’re forming a community working group to help us solicit input and inform the design of the Solano Lagoon. Among other things, we want the lagoon to feel distinctly Northern Californian while preserving the fun beach vibe and incorporating the best of Solano County. We look forward to collaborating with our working group on that and on making sure the lagoon becomes a beloved part of Solano County and home to so many happy memories of amazing days with our loved ones. The early members of the working group include:

  • Sean Kazemi, father, principal partner at Kaz & Associates Stormwater & Environmental Specialists, and resident of Vacaville 

  • Kim Wright, mother and resident of Dixon 

  • John Wilkerson, father, realtor, and resident of Vacaville 

“As a father and environmental specialist, I recognize the significance of sustainable development, and the new lagoon in Solano County is a prime example,” said Sean Kazemi, principal partner at Kaz & Associates and resident of Vacaville. “This lagoon uses cutting-edge technology to minimize water waste, which is vital in our climate. It’s not just an incredible amenity for our families to enjoy, it’s also a responsible choice for our environment, making it a win-win for all residents.”

“I’ve been living in Solano County with my family for years, and I’m thrilled about the prospect of a new Solano Lagoon right here—it’s like bringing the beach to our doorstep,” said Kim Wright, a mother living in Dixon. “This means we can enjoy beach days without the long drive, making it so much easier to spend quality time together. It’s a fantastic way to build lasting memories and strengthen our community.”

“As a local realtor and father, I’m excited about the introduction of the Solano lagoon here in Solano County,” commented John Wilkerson. “Anyone who knows my family, knows we love the beach and water activities. I can’t wait to watch my kids play at the lagoon. I love that this helps the majority of Solano residents – who don’t own a pool – to have access to a beautiful lagoon nearby. It will create a sustainable, fun space for families to enjoy. I can’t wait to have breakfast at home and then be on the beach 30 minutes later.”

We will be adding more members to the group after consulting with community leaders, elected officials, and residents on who would best represent their respective communities. The working group will be facilitated by our landscape designers CMG, who are designing the parks and open spaces for the East Solano Plan, and who have previously designed iconic spaces such as the San Francisco-based redevelopments of Treasure IslandHunters Point, and Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground.

Later this summer, we will also take the working group on a tour of some of the existing Crystal Lagoons amenities that have already been built elsewhere. If you’re interested in joining the Solano Lagoon working group or have ideas you would like to share, please send an email to lagoon@EastSolanoPlan.com

Supporting water efficiency and environmental sustainability by using 25 times less water than an 18-hole golf course

One of the most amazing design features of the Crystal Lagoons system is its sustainability and environmental performance, including using a special molecular film technology that can reduce water evaporation by up to 50%.

The lagoon shown in our rendering, which is about 7 acres and enough to accommodate thousands of people, would use about 20 acre-feet of water per year. That’s 25 times less than an average 18-hole golf course in Solano County, which uses about 493 acre-feet of water per year. Please see FAQ below for details.

The 20 acre-feet per year used by the Crystal Lagoons amenity is also only a small fraction — about 0.15% — of the 13,700 acre-feet of water that we have already secured for use by the East Solano Plan, and an even tinier fraction compared to the water supply at full build out. The lagoon can also use any type of water—salt, fresh, or brackish. The water will be part of the overall water needs of the East Solano Plan and, therefore, subject to the Water Guarantee in the East Solano Homes, Jobs, and Clean Energy Initiative. Learn more about our water supply plan and the Water Guarantee here

The lagoons also require up to 100 times fewer chemicals than traditional swimming pools or drinking water treatment systems. 

Finally, we are currently exploring innovative ways to use excess heat from cooling operations in the new community’s district thermal systems to heat the water and extend the lagoon’s use during the shoulder season. By reducing the need for Solano residents to travel far for coastal recreation, we also reduce the carbon footprint.

Contact us and discover how Crystal Lagoons can transform your city.

Latest News

A new Crystal Lagoons project is advancing in Mexico, one of the main Latin American markets for the multinational innovation company. It is Le Parc Cancún, a complex located 7.5 kilometers from the beach in Cancun. The 0.8-hectare crystalline lagoon with white sandy beaches around it will create a third coastline, allowing the area’s climate to be enjoyed all year round.

Sales success

The luxury development, consisting of two 24-story towers with 374 units, registered historic sales records for the region during its launch in September 2023 and its pre-sale period. The first tower sold 77% of its units and generated a capital gain of over 20% in less than one year.

The complex reinvents luxury and wellness in the Mexican Caribbean with its cutting-edge design and unique amenities with Crystal Lagoons® technology, which enables:

  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Water volleyball 
  • Relaxing boat rides 

Crystalline lagoon as a key element

Daniel Masliah, developer at Inzigna Capital, highlighted the impact of the crystalline lagoon as the project’s most significant and differentiating feature. “It is what makes Le Parc Cancún unique. Even though I develop projects in different locations, this is where I would genuinely love to own an apartment,” he stated.

In addition to the turquoise-water lagoon, the project offers over 35 amenities designed to blend seamlessly with the paradisiacal surroundings. From wellness facilities to high-end entertainment options, these features promise to elevate the quality of life to a new level, redefining luxury and comfort.

“Mexican developers have found that Crystal Lagoons® technology accelerates the sales velocity and increases the value per square meter compared to similar projects in the same areas. On the other hand, these crystalline bodies of water improve people’s quality of life,” explains Francisco Matte, regional director of Crystal Lagoons for Latin America.

Sustainable Technology

These large crystalline bodies of water boost various urban and tourist areas with environmentally friendly lagoons. Crystal Lagoons® technology has received numerous international awards for its sustainability, certified by Bureau Veritas for its low water usage—40% less than a green area of the same size and 33 times less than an 18-hole golf course—and energy—only 2% of the energy needed by conventional pool filtration systems.

L21

A new Public Access Lagoons® project, also known as PAL®, and a hospitality development are advancing in Europe, specifically in Seville. It is a new Central District Lagoon City complex, which Crystal Lagoons is developing in partnership with Forty Management, an award-winning Romanian real estate developer.

The project will feature a stunning 1.49-hectare lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology as its centerpiece, surrounded by white sand beaches. Around it, the development will include:

  • A 200-room luxury hotel
  • Three aparthotel towers
  • An event center
  • International restaurants
  • A Sky Bar
  • A promenade and bespoke services will complement the lagoon, epitomizing the quintessential PAL™ experience.

Thanks to its turquoise-colored body of water, it will be a transformative development spanning 12 hectares that will offer a unique lifestyle destination. This project will revolutionize local tourism in Seville and enhance visitors’ stay in the city.

“The partnership with Forty Management has been very successful, demonstrating the added value of Crystal Lagoons® technology and how this disruptive innovation makes it possible to bring sustainable beach living anywhere in the world,” explains Jean Pierre Juanchich, Global Business Director of Crystal Lagoons.

Contribution to the area

With over 100 million euros in investment and creating more than 600 jobs, this project highlights the growing demand for sustainable and recreational projects worldwide.

Crystal Lagoons and Forty Management Partnership

The complex is part of the master agreement—exclusivity agreement for developing PAL®, real estate, and hybrid projects within a specific territory—that both companies signed to bring beach life through stunning crystalline lagoons to Rome, Milan, Toulouse, two Romanian cities, and Seville.

The complex is part of the master agreement—exclusivity agreement for developing PAL®, real estate, and hybrid projects within a specific territory—that both companies signed to bring beach life through stunning crystalline lagoons to Rome, Milan, Toulouse, two Romanian cities, and Seville.

The two companies also have another mega-contract to develop projects in Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. Among the standout developments in this agreement is Lagoon Park Bucharest, a PAL® complex that sold out a week before launch and has been successful since it opened.

The project in Seville is also proof of the success of Crystal Lagoons in the hospitality industry, where numerous global hotel chains such as Marriott, Radisson, Conrad, Hyatt Regency, and AVA Resort, have recognized the transformative value of Crystal Lagoons® technology, incorporating this amenity as a centerpiece in their developments.

The dream of living steps away from a white sandy beach and turquoise waters while remaining minutes from Buenos Aires’ iconic Obelisk has become a reality thanks to the Crystal Lagoons® concept and technology in the award-winning Terralagos project.

This unique development offers a coastal city lifestyle, where residents can enjoy beach life in close contact with nature every day of the year. This idyllic Caribbean-like setting surrounding the 5-hectare navigable crystalline lagoon not only enhances the landscape but also allows residents and visitors to practice various water sports.

Terralagos was the first urban project in Argentina to incorporate the revolutionary Crystal Lagoons® concept and technology, and it has been a success from the beginning. It has sold more than 1,000 lots, achieved record-speed apartment sales, and has a waiting list for the upcoming buildings. 

According to the newspaper La Nación, “Terralagos offers a lagoon with Crystal Lagoons® technology, an impressive body of water spanning over 5 hectares with a brilliant turquoise color, surrounded by sandy beaches and palm trees—the standout feature that all residents of this ‘unique’ private community enjoy.”

The complex also includes 1,280 lots—ranging from 800 to 1,100 square meters—and 450 apartments distributed across low-rise buildings and townhouses, spanning 270 hectares. All properties feature the unique advantage of direct views of the crystalline lagoon, which allows for a wide range of activities and water sports, such as swimming, sailing, yachting, windsurfing, kayaking, diving, canoeing, rowing, and many more.

Beyond the lagoon, Terralagos offer top-tier amenities, including the Kids Club and the Main Clubhouse, which span 1,400 square meters. The complex also features social and sports infrastructure, including tennis courts, soccer fields, a hockey field, a sports center, a sauna, a gym, and a spa area.

Argentina is the main market for Crystal Lagoons in South America, after Chile. With rapid expansion in the country, the multinational innovation company currently has 43 projects in various development and negotiation stages in various cities.

La Nación