Newport Beach

For thousands of years, Native Americans inhabited this area.  With its plush land, access to the ocean and favorable weather, it seems that it has always been a much sought after location. The first Europeans started exploring the are in the 1500s.  in 1801 Spanish colonizer, Jose Antonio Yorba, was granted a large portion of land that included today’s Newport Beach along with a significant portion of much of Orange County.  This was one of the Ranchos of California, raising cattle and trading hides with sailors from Europe. When Mexico gained independence from Spain and took control of California in 1821, much of the land was also granted to Jose Sepulvada. 

The ranchos sold the land soon after the US took possession of California to 1864. Two men, James Irvine and James McFadden, lead the next era for this area.  McFadden became an advocate for enticing settlers.  To get more suppliers to the new settlements, San Joaquin Bay (now Newport Bay) started to be used to unload lumber. Soon after establishing this shipping commercial trade, Newport finally got its name. 

In 1906, Newport Beach became incorporated as a city. The harbor channel and seawall started its evolution of development soon after.  Growth of the city happened through annexation.  Balboa Island was annexed in 1916. In 1923, the city annexed Corona del Mar to the south. 

The original pier was built in 1904.  After a storm it was rebuilt in 1914. In 1931, the pier was extended by 500 feet. Another storm in 1988 damaged the pier with reconstruction complete in 1992.  The pier is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The city’s moniker of Surf City, USA began in 1925 when Duke Kahanamoku brought surfing to Huntington Beach and the Southern California shores.  The first surf shop opened in 1953, Gordie’s Surf Boards. Then the city held the first US surfing championships six years later.

In the 1960s, Huntington Harbour was constructed in former Sunset Bay Estuary wetlands. The harbor has five man-made islands and five beaches with shallow shores perfect for families and kids to play.

Here are a few of the annual events to enjoy in Newport.

• OC Marathon: May, also features a half marathon and 5k
• Balboa Island Parade: June, features Decorated Golf Carts and Floats, Horses, Vintage Cars, USC Marching Band, Keystone Cops, Drill Teams, Marching School Bands, Local Dignitaries and much more.
• Baroque Music Festival: June in Corona del Mar
• VEA Newport Beach Summer Concert Series
• Annual Sandcastle Contest: October, Corona del Mar State Beach
• Newport Beach Film Festival: October, screens over 100 feature and short films
• Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade: December, 

• Balboa Fun Zone: on Balboa Peninsula, it features a Ferris wheel, arcade games, and Discovery Cube’s Ocean Quest.
• Piers: Balboa and Newport pier on Balboa Peninsula
• Balboa Island: quiant island in Newport Bay with a cute main street with shopping and dining. You can drive there via a bridge from Jamboree Road or take the small ferry from Balboa Peninsula
• Corona del Mar neighborhood:  neighborhood on the south end of Newport Beach with lots of dining and shopping. It also features the Sherman Library & Gardens along with great viewpoints such as Lookout Point and Inspiration Point and the beaches of Corona del Mar, Little Corona, Pirate’s Cove, and China Cove.
• Back Bay and the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve: this area is a coastal wetland and ecological preserve.  IT features many walking trails and biking paths to view the wildlife. Home to six rare or endangered bird species, it’s a great place to enjoy the day for the nature lovers. You can also enjoy the calm water of the Back Bay via kayak, standup paddle board, and outrigger.  
• Fashion Island: this expansive outdoor mall area is your one stop for everything retail. 

• One of the largest small-craft harbors in the U.S..  Newport Harbor has 7 islands and almost 9,000 small boats, yachts, and sailboats.
• The Wedge surfing spot where Balboa Beach meets the West Jetty is one of the best bodysurfing sites in the world.
• Named Newport due to the newly established port that steamers started in order to unload cargo needed for building demands of the new settlers coming in during the late 1800s.
• Over half of the incorporated city area is comprised of water. 
• Newport Harbor was created in the early 1900s from dredging. 
• Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is a major waylay point for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway between Alaska and Patagonia.  During winter migration over 35,000 birds will stop for a rest.