Corona del Mar, California
If Newport Beach is the jewel of the California Coast, then it's community, Corona del Mar, is the crown. The Spanish translation for "corona" actually is "crown".
Atop hills and cliffs overlooking the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean, Corona del Mar is south of Newport Beach and north of Laguna Beach. Its public beaches include a Corona del Mar State Beach, with bonfire pits, public restrooms, concession snack bars, volleyball courts, and vistas ideal for small weddings.
Location: 50 miles south of Los Angeles, 4 miles west of John Wayne Airport and 70 miles north of San Diego at the foot of the San Joaquin Hills fronting the Pacific Ocean.
Corona del Mar ranges along a bluff at the south end of Newport Beach and includes some of the city's most prestigious residential areas. When you stand on the hilltop bluff park and look out to the Newport Harbor and Pacific Ocean, you'll be treated to some of California's most romantic beach views. With limited parking, only small ceremonies can be facilitated at the neighborhood beaches.
Immaculate homes line streets in Corona del Mar are named after flowers, and run in alphabetical order from Acacia to Poppy, each lined with a different variety of trees. Beautiful flower gardens on each street display the flower from which the street is named. And the ultimate flower gardens in the city reside in the Sherman Library & Gardens, open to the public. 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.
BEACHES: Corona del Mar beaches are one of the community's top attractions. Sandy beach coves are used in movie and television productions such as Gilligan's Island. Explore the tidepools at Corona del Mar and Crystal Cove, an ecologically sensitive region where you can look but are asked not to touch. Enjoy the free volleyball nets at the beach, or frolic in the sand if you like.
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.
Bayside Drive County Beach -in Corona del Mar, at Ocean Boulevard and Fernleaf Avenue. Free street parking. Hours: 6 am to 10 pm. Facilities: Rest rooms. 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 - Corona del Mar State Beach is a popular place for swimmers. This 0.5 mile long sandy beach framed by cliffs and a rock jetty that forms the east entrance to Newport Harbor. The beach is also popular with surfers and divers. The beach can be reached via an access road near the intersection of Iris Street and Ocean Boulevard in Corona del Mar. Entrance fee per vehicle. Open 8 am to 8 pm Facilities: Lifeguards, rest rooms, 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. Facilities: None. Rocky Point -in Corona del Mar, at Ocean Boulevard and Harbor Channel. Free street parking. Open: 6 am to 10 pm.
Rocky Point -in Corona del Mar, at Ocean Boulevard and Harbor Channel. Free street parking. Open: 6 am to 10 pm. Facilities: None.
History: Corona del Mar history is beach-oriented. It was a vacation resort at the turn of the 20th century. Surfing, commerce and residential growth all played a part in the formation of the community. Places such as Five Crowns Restaurant built in 1935 continue to serve not only great prime rib, but traditions.
Visiting and enjoying Corona del Mar:
Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce
Corona del Mar BID Business Improvement District
