I've been making regular sails out of Newport Harbor for the past couple of months and have tried…read morechecking in but after several queries, I could not find anything; did a small bit of research and here we are!
Area map - https://www.yelp.com/writeareview/biz/Or_Nl1emJAcaGKm6FaI8_g?return_url=%2Fbiz%2FOr_Nl1emJAcaGKm6FaI8_g&source=biz_details_war_button
Great harbor, beautiful houses, amazing boats! Recently learned, Judy Garlands former residence is located on the water, the Gilette Brothers houses are also a few doors down, and a condo complex/construction project had come to a complete halt about six month ago for reasons unknown. It's a nice harbor with a fair amount of traffic on the water but unlike Dana Point; lots of space.
Photo - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/newport-harbor-newport-beach?select=swuQP7sPq2iLDEAbshBjaQ
If you're on the water or near it, you may be able to see the "Wild Goose," John Wayne's corner yacht.
Photo - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/newport-harbor-newport-beach?select=JtqNjROYsYDRSB13IniY4w
If you ever get an opportunity to get on the water, I highly recommend it. People have several options to choose from:
- Newport Harbor Sailing Excursion
- Whale watching tours
- Deep-sea fishing charters
- Sunset cruises
- Jet ski/Seaa Doo rentals
- Nature & wildlife tours
- Kayak/SUP rentals
- Newport Harbor Sightseeing Cruise
'Just to name a few!
"Nearing sunset" - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/newport-harbor-newport-beach?select=gM1AZfnUSZQeS7aF3dTfVQ
History -
Newport Harbor is a semi-artificial harbor that was formed by dredging Newport Bay estuary during the early 1900s. Several artificial islands were built, which are now covered with private homes: Newport Island, Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island, Collins Island, Bay Island, Harbor Island, Lido Isle and Linda Isle.
Newport Harbor once supported maritime industries such as boatbuilding, shipbuilding, and commercial fishing, but today it is used mostly for recreation. Its shores are occupied mostly by private homes and private docks. With approximately 9,000 boats, Newport Harbor is one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the U.S. west coast. It's a popular destination for all boating activities, including sailing, fishing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Commercial maritime operations today include the Catalina Flyer ferry to Catalina Island, harbor tours, sport fishing and whale watching day trips and charters, and a few small commercial fishing boats.
Newport Bay is divided by the Pacific Coast Highway bridge, which is too low for most sailboats and very large boats to pass under. North of the bridge is referred to as Upper Newport Bay, or the Back Bay. South of the bridge is commonly called Lower Newport Bay, or Newport Harbor. However the Back Bay also has harbor facilities, especially the marina and launch ramp at The Dunes.
The north end of the Newport Harbor channels around Lido Island have a number of small business centers and were at one time used by the fishing fleets as their home. On the North East side of the channel, the Lido Marina Village now provides the local port to many "Newport Party Boats" as well as small merchants and local restaurants. It also hosts the area boat show each year as well as an organic "Farmers Market" Sundays, in addition to being the port for the local Gondola Company. In 2014, the center was closed for a renovation.
Upper Newport Bay is an estuary that was formed by a prehistoric flow of the Santa Ana River. Today it is fed by a small stream from San Diego Creek. Much of Upper Newport Bay is a protected natural area known as the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, established in 1975.
Source: Wikipedia
Link - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Beach,_California#Newport_Harbor_and_Newport_Bay
- Big Aloha!
Food: n/a (You have a lot to choose from the various, local eateries.)
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Value: Priceless