History: Plans for Corona del Mar at the turn
of the 20th century were as a vacation resort destination. On June 29, 1904
George Hart signed an agreement with the Irvine Ranch for the purchase of a
706.08-acre corner of land on the Irvine Ranch for summer
cottages. His concept quickly changed in 1904 when visitors came to play
and wouldn’t leave so perfect a spot. Until the late 1920’s, Corona del
Mar was a tiny village reached from the peninsula by small boat at high
tide, or by a muddy dirt road that crossed the Irvine Ranch and continued
along the bluffs around Newport Upper Bay. With the opening of Pacific
Coast Highway in 1926 (Mary Pickford & Douglas Fairbanks were there
for the ribbon cutting), a period of slow growth began, not accelerating
until after World War II.
In 1928, the Corona del Mar Surfboard Club hosted the
Pacific Coast Surfboard Championship. The club was the largest of its kind
in the United States with members such as surfing greats Duke Kahanamoku,
Tom Blade of Redondo, Gerrard and Art Vultee of the Los Angeles Athletic
Club, and other world class surfers who brought international attention
to Southern California beaches. An extension of the jetties in the late
1930’s ended the "Killer Break" on the east side Corona del Mar and led
to the emergence of the popular but dangerous break known as the "Wedge"
to the west on the Newport Peninsula. It also led to the demise of surfing
popularity in Corona del Mar. Explore the tidepools at Crystal Cove. It
is an ecologically sensitive region so treat it kindly. Sherman
Library and Gardens on Pacific Coast Highway offers tours of
beautiful flower and plant gardens. There are also art galleries
and unique shops running along Pacific Coast Highway in scenic Corona del
Mar.
Inspiration Point includes
views of the Newport Bay and Catalina Island. The location includes
a cove below which has been used in the opening of Gilligan's Island
and other film projects. There's a public beach here with a bronze sculpture
of a Sea Lion and her baby.
Along the city's primary artery, Pacific Coast Highway,
is the landmark Five Crowns Restaurant. It was built in 1935 as a copy
of Ye Olde Bell, an Inn at Hurley-on-the-Thames, England. It has been a
residence and an inn, it has been forsaken and neglected, and now operates
as a popular, fine restaurant.
32nd Street Beach in Newport Beach
40th Street Beach in Newport Beach
52nd Street Beach in Newport Beach
Back Bays of Balboa Peninsula
Bayside Drive County Beach -in Corona del Mar, at
Ocean
Boulevard and Fernleaf Avenue. Free street parking. Hours:
6 am to 10 pm.
Crystal Cove State Park - On north side of Laguna Beach, at
the end of Crescent Bay Drive. Free street parking. Open: 6
am to 10 pm. Facilities: Lifeguards and rest rooms.
Corona Del Mar State Beach
- The beach can be reached via an access road near the intersection of
Iris Street and Ocean Boulevard in Corona del Mar.
Lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and fire pits.
Little Corona del Mar Beach in Corona
del Mar, at Ocean Boulevard and Poppy Avenue. Free street parking.
Open: 6 am to 10 pm.
Lookout Point Park is
open to the public and features vistas of the Corona del Mar Main Beach and
the Pacific Ocean. It can accommodate small weddings of 20 people or less.
Newport Beach Municipal Beach next to
Newport Beach Pier
Newport Beach River Jetty Beach
Rocky Point in Corona del Mar, at Ocean
Boulevard and Harbor Channel. Free street parking. Open: 6 am to
10 pm.
Santa Ana River County Beach
Beach Related
Balboa Beach -Newport Beach playgrounds
Bonfire pits and fire rings
in Newport Beach -Corona del Mar
Pet Friendly Newport Beach
policies permit dogs on beaches between 5:01 p.m. and 8:59 a.m.
Playgrounds at the beach
in Newport Beach
