Located in the North-West end of the city, this area of the beach is popular with surfers and families alike. This area features broad, sandy beaches with restroom facilities at Orange St. and 56th St. and parking along Seashore Ave. West Newport provides the most consistent surfing conditions winter and summer. The bottom profile is flat providing gentle breaking waves during small surf and long rides during large swells. In moderate or large surf (Yellow or Red flag) conditions this area produces dangerous trenching, long shore currents and rip currents that can overwhelm even experienced swimmers.

This area has eight rock structures (groins) built in the 60s to prevent beach erosion. These rocks provide point break surfing conditions. The area between 40th St. and 44th St. is designated as a no surfing zone from May through October making it attractive to body surfers and body boarding enthusiasts.

The area around the Newport Pier offers visitors a total beach going experience. There area has parking, restaurants, shops and lined with a boardwalk stretching 2.5 miles. The beaches are broad and sandy with a variety of surf conditions depending on the season. Blackies’ beach named for the “watering hole” of the same name. This beach offers gentle surf in the summer and the largest surf in Newport during winter swells. The Lifeguard Headquarters at the base of the Newport Pier is open during daylight hours and is an excellent source of information on current beach conditions. Moving south, down the peninsula, visitors will find “The Point” located at 18th street. This section of beach provides some of the best surfing and body surfing conditions particularly when large hurricane generated waves make their trek up from the Baja Peninsula. The point is capable of producing surfable waves up to 20 foot. The fact that there are 5 lifeguard towers in 6 blocks is testament to the power of the surf and rip currents of this area.

If you want a solitary beach experience or prefer to be in an area with lots of people, this stretch of the Balboa peninsula has what you desire. Most of this 2-mile stretch is wide-open sand. The lack of parking keeps this area quiet most days. The exception to this is the tranquility is the Balboa Pier. Located at Main Street, Balboa features 3 parking lots including a 550-car lot at Palm Street. In this area the Balboa peninsula is only a few hundred yards wide, putting attractions from the beach to bay within walking distance. On the bay front at Main Street is the Fun Zone. This area has shops, restaurants, boat rentals a Ferris wheel and a 1920 Carousel. [ Fishing Boats, ferry service to and from Catalina Island and harbor cruises all depart from this area. For 50 cents you can board the Balboa Island Auto Ferry for a 90-second trip across the bay to the quaint, residential Balboa Island. This is the cheapest and best way to get a look at the Newport Harbor with the million dollar homes and yachts.] Back on the beach, the ocean offers a steep profile and shore breaking waves. If the surf is moderate or larger this area can produce large shore breaking waves that can be extremely dangerous to non-expert wave riders. At Coronado Street and at B Street there are 15 fire rings that are available on a first come first serve basis.

The Wedge is a world famous body surfing spot located at the end of the Balboa Peninsula. Waves from storms in the south pacific slam into the Harbor Jetty and reflect off meeting the following wave, doubling or tripling the size of the wave. These giant waves can break in just a few feet of water. This area is strictly EXPERT ONLY. Even watching from the beach can be hazardous during large swells if you are not wary of the surf. Due to its unique status as a bodysurfing beach, all flotation devices (surfboards, skimboards and bodyboards) are prohibited from May through October from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. This beach is located in a residential area with only street parking and no shops or restrooms.

Separated from the rest of Newport Beach by the Harbor Entrance, Corona del Mar is unique from the other beaches in Newport. The flat sandy beaches of West Newport give way to the coastal foothills meeting the ocean. “Big C” is located below the intersection of Marguerite Ave and Ocean Blvd. This is an extremely popular beach with all the amenities possible except open space. There is a 550-car parking lot, restrooms, snack bar, equipment rental stands and 30 fire rings. The beach is has tranquil cove like conditions unless the surf is directly from the south. This beach is a “Mother’s beach” that is excellent for small children and beginning wave riders with a protected swim area. Surfboards, large rafts, boats and kayaks and scuba equipment are not allowed in the swimming area.

Little Corona or Little “C” is small pocket beach, which is the hidden jewel of Newport Beach. This beach is accessed by a steep pedestrian walkway located below the intersection of Poppy and Ocean. A favorite of photographers and naturalists this beach offers a quiet setting with unsurpassed down coast views. This beach features tidepools and rocky reef formations. There is a Marine Preserve officer during low tide periods to protect this resource and provide interpretive information. The entire beach and down coast area are part of a marine refuge. The refuge status means that NO animals, shells, rocks or other similar material may be taken. The beach also features a protected swim area with similar restrictions to “Big C”

18th & Bay Small, hand-carried boat launch ramp – enter at 18th St only, Exit at 19th St only

10th & Bay Bay beach from 8th St to 10th St on Bay Avenue

N & Bay Near end of the Balboa Peninsula, left at fork in the road, on left side of the Street.