Hidden Gems in Newport Beach

Bunnyhenge

Oddity · Easy

A ring of fourteen large white rabbits sitting on their haunches, with two larger eight-foot rabbits outside the circle, installed in 2013 at Newport Beach Civic Center Park. Atlas Obscura reports the $221,000 public art project drew local opposition and that residents nicknamed it after Stonehenge.

Described from en.wikipedia.org, atlasobscura.com

Fashion Island Wind Chimes

Oddity · Easy

Tom Van Sant's 1967 bronze wind chime hangs on the three-storey Macy's wall, made with architect William Pereira, and was recognised by Guinness as the world's largest wind chime at the time. Sources differ on the count: Fashion Island describes 73 bronze bells concealing "more than 300" tuned pipes, while Atlas Obscura says the "seventy-three coverings each contain 10 pipes."

Described from fashionisland.com, atlasobscura.com

Galaxy View Park

Viewpoint · Easy

The city's coastal land use plan describes Galaxy Park as one of the "bluff top parks that provide views of the Upper Newport Bay," grouped with Westcliff and Bayview, and says it "is accessible from Galaxy Drive."

Described from newportbeachca.gov

Westcliff Park

Viewpoint · Easy

Listed by the city among the "bluff top parks that provide views of the Upper Newport Bay," alongside Galaxy and Bayview, with access from Polaris Drive.

• Parking: Parking on Polaris Drive or the Westwind Way cul-de-sac.

Described from newportbeachca.gov

Castaways Park

Viewpoint · Easy

The city describes "a 17.4-acre view park" with "bike and hiking trails and overlooks that provide panoramic views of the Newport Bay and the Pacific Ocean." Visit Newport Beach places it at 700 Dover Drive and notes a memorial to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines.

• Cliffs: Bluff-side loop path.

Described from newportbeachca.gov, visitnewportbeach.com

The Wedge

Landmark · Easy

The break sits at the south-eastern tip of the Balboa Peninsula, where a 2,000-foot jetty extended in 1936 reflects swell energy back into incoming waves, producing shorebreak that "can reach up to 30 feet in height." Between 1 May and 31 October a raised blackball flag bans boards from 10am to 5pm, leaving bodysurfing only.

• Surf: Shorebreak here can reach 30 feet. This is an expert bodysurfing break and a genuinely dangerous place to swim.
• Access: 1 May to 31 October, a raised blackball flag bans boards from 10am to 5pm - bodysurfing only.

Described from en.wikipedia.org, visitnewportbeach.com

North Star Beach

Beach · Easy

The city's coastal plan says west-side access to the Upper Bay "is provided via North Star Beach," which "has a sandy beach and is the site of the Newport Aquatics Center, a public recreation and launching facility." California Beaches lists free parking and a hand-carried boat launch where "anyone can launch their own watercrafts."

Described from newportbeachca.gov, californiabeaches.com

Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Trail · Easy

One of the largest coastal wetlands in southern California, pairing roughly 135 acres of bluffs with a 752-acre ecological reserve, where OC Parks says "up to 35,000 birds may be using the Bay at one time" during winter migration. Hiking, biking and equestrian trails run above the estuary; hours are 7am to sunset and no fees are collected.

• Conditions: Mudflats. Wet after rain.

Described from parks.oc.gov

These places change and we do not get to visit them all. If something here is closed, moved, or just wrong, tell us and we will fix it.

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