Lovely beach in Orange County - we had a mini college reunion here this Valentine's Day weekend…read more Our rental unit was right on the beach, and the pier was less than a mile away. Watching the locals play volleyball, do beach yoga, walk their dogs and cats, bike, run, parasail and surf was a lot of fun. We even spotted a couple of dolphins frolicking just off shore. Happy to return.

What a great city. Just like most beach towns, it can get VERY crowded. So be wary of parking…read more There are lots of things to do here. There's lots of shops and restaurants around the city. There's also options for boat rides which is pretty cool. It's usually pretty busking here so quiet time can be limited. Great view for sunsets. Can get pretty chilly in the evenings as well.

This is a truly beautiful place to stop by. We came here on a Friday closer to sunset and we had…read moreluck finding parking near by. From the main lookout, there's a downhill path that leads you to another scenic viewpoint. It's a great place to slow down and enjoy nature.

How could Inspiration Point be anything else besides five stars? One of the most scenic spots in…read moreOrange County. I love catching the sunset from here, especially when the clouds are just right. Gorgeous for strolls overlooking Corona Del Mar/Newport Beach. Generally can find some street parking, as long as you're OK walking, or, you can park in the state beach parking lots and walk up (good workout). 2025: 74/100

What an amazing day we had. I was there with my church Calvary chapel Chino Hills to get baptize…read more It was wonderful to see many people there . Parking was thigh. The Brea h was clean and perfect for the day .

It's all about rocks and caves. And a hidden cove?…read more Instagram and TikTok have probably made this once obscure beach in Corona del Mar way too popular, but back in the day, while the parents were beachgoing at nearby Corona del Mar State Beach, we preteens and early teenagers were exploring the caves at Pirate's Cove and scrambling all over the sometimes dangerous rocks. But our moms weren't within eyesight or earshot, so we ran and climbed and splashed and wrestled. It felt like every time I came here, I cut my hands or arms or shins on the rocks, but I didn't care, because I was learning independence, and I didn't dare complain in front of my friends. The sandy part of the beach itself can get completely swallowed by the high tide, so plan ahead. The Newport Harbor Jetty (and, to a lesser extent, the CDM State Beach Jetty) protect(s) the beach from waves, so there's no real bodyboarding or bodysurfing to be had. That's probably a good thing, too, because these rocks would be treacherous if this beach weren't completely enclosed within Newport Bay's entrance channel. The metal fences separating the deeper parts of the caves always scared me. I realized the fencing was to prevent children from getting where adults couldn't fit, because high tides could mean drowning or otherwise getting hurt, but it was still spooky. I believe my friend Michael tried to bend back the metal, but he couldn't, despite how rusty and old it seemed. The stairs down to the beach are much nicer and sturdier than they used to be. Otherwise, it looks and feels the same as it did thirty-five years ago.

Parking is not easy in the summer or weekends. It's a very small beach and gets crowded quickly…read more The tide pools are fun for the kids, you definitely need water shoes for them. There is a short walk down the hill to access the beach. Showers and bathrooms are at the top. Lifeguard on duty.

First time here, and I am coming back tomorrow!!…read more Parking could definitely be a challenge if you come on a weekend or in the summer. I went in the morning of a Sunday in January and was able to park for free on Ocean Boulevard. Then it is a beautiful short, walk down a slope and some stairs and then you've reached paradise. It's a small beach, so hopefully as long as it's not too busy you'll be able to get a spot on the sand. I saw a lot of snorkel, which were cool and the tide pools are just crazy Impressive. Just make sure you don't actually touch or take anything in the tide pool or I will be coming after you...

What a cute and quaint little island! I really loved visiting. There's plenty of free parking if…read moreyou drive down the residential streets, and you can see plenty of cute little homes. This would be a lovely place to own a vacation home. I absolutely love driving over the bridge with American flags flying on both sides; it's something you don't see often in SoCal. There are several cute shops on both sides of the main street, and there's really something for everyone. The island is known for two things: chocolate-covered frozen bananas and Balboa bars. I apparently missed the memo on the Balboa bars, but we got to visit both Dad's Donuts and Sugar 'n Spice for some frozen chocolate bananas, and they were lovely! I recommend coming in the morning to beat the rush. We brought lunch and went to the beach for a picnic on the park benches. It was a lovely day with family! I look forward to coming back to Balboa Island in the future!

We went on a cloudy weekday in late March. We parked in the parking lot on Palm street and took the…read moreferry there. At around 10:30 in the morning, there was plenty of parking available. We paid about $11 for 4 hours which comparing with Santa Monica is reasonable. On our way we also saw free street side parking , but those spots are not close to the ferries. There is a 5 minute walk from the parking lot to where the ferries are. You will have to cross a couple of streets. The ferries are pretty basic but they have capacity for 3 cars as well. Adults pay $2 each to get to the other side. They ONLY accept cash. There and back, the wait time was under a couple of minutes. The island itself is clean and serene. Other than a minimart, a fishing gear shop and a grocery store, there weren't any shops on the oceanfront walkway and no signage as to where you can find any stores. We walked for a bit and then returned to the mainland and Balboa village. Overall, we loved how clean and family friendly the beach and the pier and the island were. If we lived closer, we would visit more often for sure!

the place to go with small kids! mix of beach, playground, and garden area to play soccer!…read more be sure to go early because parking can be a challenge. the light house is currently under renovation but will be available by april. i love this place

This is one of the best kid friendly beaches because the beach faces the harbor so there aren't any…read morewaves. You can also do a short walk (literally across the street) to get to the "real beach". There is a great play structure for kids with a lighthouse and big slide. There is also a restaurant here called The Lighthouse that has great views and good food. If you come here during Christmas time this is a great location to watch the boat parade if you're lucky enough to find parking!

Corona del Mar State Beach might honestly be my favorite beach in the world…read more This is where I proposed to my wife. It is where we did our engagement photos and later our pregnancy photo shoot. It is where I take my dog for walks and where I have spent nights around the fire pits watching some of the most beautiful sunsets in Orange County. The water here also feels warmer than most beaches in the OC, which makes it even better. This place holds a lot of special memories for me and continues to be one of my favorite spots to slow down and appreciate where I live.

It's been a long while since I've had a beach day, but we made it to Corona Del Mar (CdM) via…read moreInspiration Point at 11 am to go boogie boarding. The scenic view at Inspiration Point is beautiful. The beach wasn't too crowded, and we got space to sit down on our camping chairs. The water was cold but eventually manageable. Unfortunately, there was a lot of floating seaweed that would get tangled on my legs. The waves were hit-or-miss. Once in a while a powerful one would take us back to the shore. However, the waves were mostly calm rolls that allowed us to stay steady on the boards. You could even relax and float on your back through buoyancy. After spending a good time in the water, I was really tired; it was basically a workout. The incline up back to Inspiration Point was also steep. Luckily, the car was parked nearby for free. While CdM was a little out of the way, the easy and free parking made up for the travel time. I recommend arriving early to find available space.

Parking is $20 now. The beach is beautiful. Lots of hiking trails to explore, tide pools or a short…read morewalk down to the beach. The trail down to the beach is very short and steep in a couple lots. Some areas in the northern parking lots have a long boardwalk you can walk down and tide pools. There are several parking lots so you need to figure out what you want to do and which lot to park in for your needs. The parking lot closest to beachcomber they don't allow any parking unless you are handicapped for the restaurant. Don't really know why, it's a state run park.

This state beach is my personal favorite. We stay down the street at Marriott Newport Villas. They…read morehave a shuttle service that brings you directly to the Entrance. Today, we came to eat lunch at the restaurant so we had to find parking. The only problem is there isn't parking close to it. You have to park in a lot across the street and walk about 10 minutes. They have a tunnel for pedestrians but it was washed out from the rain today. They have a restaurant shuttle that charges $5 a person even if you are eating at the restaurant which I thought was a rip off. The beach itself is a nice mix of rocks where' the tide pools are and sand where you can swim. The cottages along the way have a bit of history and recently been renovated. I absolutely love walking through this long stretch of beach! They also have a museum near the rental cottages. It is small but has some fun facts and pictures.

The alluring blue skies and lovely light golden sands catch my eye…read more The birds nearby are just waiting for the right moment to poop on people, I have been warned. I parked on a street near the fire station and then walked over, a little over a mile. Once at the Wedge, you can experience some amazing ocean views and amazing views in general. Please listen to the song I am parodying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f9160gInZ0 While you are reading my review. Divine In cool and sunny weather The sand and skies together Here on this lovely beach You're skies So blue and lively dee-eep Light golden sands, are so pretty You're the sweetest beach Enjoy the Wedge so calmly On lovely rocks with glee Beware of all the birds that roam They will poop from sweet the sky ay ay Divine In cool and sunny weather The sand and skies together Here on this lovely beach

A great retreat that offers lots of sandy beaches, waves and water, views of boats very closeby,…read moreawesome homes nearby, and even some small cliffs across the harbor with more really nice homes, as well as ample green grass and beautiful trees!! Parking is very easy to find on the streets in the neighborhood. Not too crowded but still plenty of people to give a warm community feel. An awesome place for great photos as well!!

1 of ma FAVORITE HANGOUT SPOTS IN THE OC!!!! I used to WALK from 15th to BALBOA PIER, a HALF AN…read moreHOUR WALK about 3km!! I walked normally at night from 21:00-22:30! Very good exercise! Then about the pier, I know lots of visitors might say it's dirty & stinky from the sea or toilets, but that's natural for a beach because I was at sunset Beach, Solana Beach, San Clemente Pier Beach they are all like that. Then Catalina Express is just across the street from the pier! The only bad part is PARKING! This is why I used to take Bus ROUTE 71 here!! However bus doesn't go to the Balboa Pier anymore; only Route 43 go to Newport Pier that's it

We mistakenly parked near the Newport Beach Pier, thinking it was the Balboa Pier. The two piers…read moreare about 2 miles from each other and the Balboa Pier houses the original Ruby's Diner. We took this mistake as an opportunity to take a nice walk along the bike path to the Balboa Pier, which is shared with pedestrians. There is a paid parking lot adjacent to the Balboa Pier. Parking can be a bit pricey in the lot and with the metered parking. We paid about $10 for three hours at a metered spot. We noticed during our walk, that you can park for free on some of the side streets. We enjoyed our walk on the pier with beautiful views and and a spacious beach. We had lunch at Ruby's and then headed to the Balboa Fun Zone which is just a short walk. Our walk back was just as nice along the beautiful homes adjacent to the water.