In my last blog post, I mentioned that there are other things to do rather than hit the beach, but I didn’t say NOT to hit a beach – and there is plenty to see in Newport Beach to say the least. With 10 miles of coastline for a playground, both kids and adults can find something fun to do whether that be catching rays, surfing, or just swimming.
I touched a bit on both beaches at family friendly Corona del Mar State Beach but wanted to expand on some of my favorite things to do there.
The first thing I want to mention is a spot you need to go, whether you’re going down to the water or not. There is a grassy knoll overlooking the ocean called Inspiration Point (on Ocean Blvd) almost between Little Corona and Big Corona. This is a nice place to relax and watch the ocean without walking in the sand. There is a pathway leading directly down to Big Corona though if you change your mind.
If you walk further west on Ocean Blvd, you will reach another nice grassy area with benches called Lookout point (similar to Inspiration Point but not to be confused with the latter). This place is ideal for catching amazing sunsets. Directly below at Big Corona are fire rings available to the public on a first-come first-served basis.
Many restaurants and cafes are within walking distance on Pacific Coast Highway. For a fun treat, stop by B. Candy. Believe me, it is more than just a candy shop (and they do have lots of candy to be sure) but their homemade ice cream is incredible! Flavors range from the traditional to funky-fun flavors like birthday cake (complete with big chunks of cake inside) to chocolate covered potato chips and caramel!
For a completely different beach feel, head to the Wedge (at the very east end of the Balboa Peninsula). This place is known for monstrous waves (30 feet potential) at times and you can watch the more adventurous bodyboarders and bodysurfers on said waves (very fun). If you want to check out the waves before heading out, check out the Wedge cam. Forewarning, this is not a beach for the amateur swimmer or ocean playmate. Be careful.
The jetty is also located here and is actually what causes a huge swell at the Wedge. From Inspiration Point, Look Out Point and The Wedge, you can watch all types of boats and ships come in and out of the harbor to the ocean.
Heading back west, you will hit both piers: Balboa and Newport. Ocean Front Walk is a two-mile paved path between the two, often referred to by locals as the boardwalk. This is ideal for walking or riding bikes to get great views of the beaches and adorable houses at your own pace. There are many places to rent bikes by either pier. The vibe in this stretch is fun and youthful, but does not exclude the experienced walkers.
Balboa pier (also known by locals as A-street) is close to the Fun Zone (old-school carnival area I will talk about in next week’s blog post) and more fire rings are available on a first-come first-served basis. There many restaurant options in this area. Ruby’s Diner is a fun choice (directly at the end of the pier) offering American comfort food, salads, and delicious shakes in a 40s style setting. Another popular choice is Great Mex serving tasty Mexican food. One of my favorite options is their mushroom tacos (I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it’s delicious).
After finishing a tasty treat, you can ride, take the trolley (on weekends), or Uber to the Newport Pier. As with the Balboa pier, you can sunbathe, swim, or just people watch. If you get there early enough (usually before noon), peek in at the Historic Dory Fleet Fish Market. This authentic fishing cooperative was founded in 1891 and is considered the last of its kind in the United States. The Newport Beach Historical Society felt it was worthy enough to recognize it as a permanent local historical landmark. So, make sure to check it out if you’re there before noon.
For a slice of old-school surf culture, stop into Blackie’s by the Sea for a cold beer. This mainstay bar has been popular with surfers and locals alike since 1953 – in fact, local surfers named the stretch of beach between the Newport Pier and the 28th street jetty, “Blackie’s Beach” after the bar because it was the only building they could see from the surf way back when.
Parking is probably the only downfall to Newport during peak season but not impossible. Street parking is usually available somewhere, but you might have to walk a distance to get to your final destination. There are also metered parking and parking lots throughout the city (newportbeachca.gov/i-am-a/visitor/parking/city-parking-lots-and-metered-parking).
There are even more beaches to discover in Newport Beach – some very small and hidden and others not so much. Newport Beach really does have a beach for all ages – kids both big and small (because let’s be honest, we’re all kids at heart).
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