How fitting that Pirate's Cove  (technically part of Big Corona or Main Beach) has been used for filming of movies and TV shows that include island settings!  Accessed by the same parking lot as Corona del Mar beach, the coves are popular places to wander and explore, and oftentimes, you may see some cameras, lights and action. Offering a setting that could be practically any locale with an island and rock cliffs, the location and Newport Beach are certainly known in the film industry. Many famous actors and directors have lived in Corona del Mar and today, films and TV shows also include Newport Beach and Corona del Mar as part of the story line.

A set of steps from Ocean Blvd. lead to a small shaded, picnic area with grassy lawns, barbecue grills, picnic tables located next to the sandstone rocks you can climb to get to Pirate's Cove, just around the bend.

Undulating sandstone cliffs that front the bay and a few small caves provide easy rock climbing for young and old.  You can easily access the rocks from an overlook and climb down them to the cove, but be cautious. There are several drop-offs that could be dangerous for small children or those who lack steady footing. Down in the coves, people love to look at the walls of the rocks, play in the shallow beaches where the tide washes in, the coves are often frequented by kayakers taking a break in their bay sports activities.

Pirate's Cove is not very private, however. You can look down from the rocks to see most areas of it, and over at the West Jetty Park, people stand and can easily watch the people in Pirate's Cove (and vice versa). It's mainly a fun place to explore and as you scavenge across the tucked away beaches of Corona del Mar. The currents are very gentle and subtle there, too, because the cove sits inside the Newport Beach bay, protected by the set of jetties that were built in the 1920's to create a pleasure harbor for watercraft.