Always a good time here, parking sucks haha…read more With any beach town you'll have trouble finding parking but that's ok because I wouldn't want the view to be obscured by cars and trucks! This beach is and always has been a goto on vacation. The pier is always great, the dining and shops make it all a wonderful experience. The sands are never filled with trash and it always has some sort of activity going on. So get your blanket, lunch and towel and enjoy one of the better beaches in SoCal!

Lovely beach and have been here a few times. I was here yesterday for a social meet up with a group…read moreI am involved with and really enjoyed my time here. I was told by Californians that this is one of the nicer SoCal beaches. I have no idea (yet) as I am stil trying to figure out my bearings here in SoCal. In time, I will know which are the best beaches I like and this one seems already floating to the top. The parking is a disaster here and that makes me so not want to come here but for the views and the beach, I see why we are all fighting for parking lol. I paid to park on the street and it wasnt too bad, about $5/hour. Still beats NYC prices haha. I need to come back here to watch the sunset but also hit the nightlife and try out some of the well known restaurants too like The Crab Cooker. I look forward to coming back!

I've been coming to Inspiration Point for many years, and I still enjoy it every time I visit…read more I usually bring my dog here for a walk so She can enjoy the ocean breeze and watch the sunset with me. Sometimes I bring a blanket, sit on the grass, and bring some food to have a little picnic. It's a simple thing, but I always enjoy spending time here with the ocean view and the sound of the waves. I also like that they have bags available the area in case you need to clean up after your dog. I noticed there is a one of stations near the end of the street where you can grab them. From here, you can walk down toward little Corona del Mar and get closer to the beach. You can also walk on the sand, but personally I prefer staying up here because it feels cleaner and more convenient when I don't need to go down to the beach. Street parking is available nearby, but you may need to drive around a little to find a spot for parallel parking.

Amazing place, peaceful, great walking distance to get cardio. Dog walks. Excellent views.read more

The sunset views here are always amazing!! And it's always fun climbing around the rocky areas,…read morewhether it's just to enjoy the views or to make your way over to the stairs. I also really enjoy how much more shallow and calm the water is on this side of the beach. It makes for a more relaxing and chill swim, or even just a nice spot to sit and lay down in the sand :)

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 .

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!

Wonderful summer spot for families with YOUNG KIDS!!!…read more Lots of different ways to play: Large grass area Lagoon/bay with sand and seashells Playground with lots of slides There are also lots of PICNIC TABLES at this location so it's easy to set up for breakfast or lunch. It's a very fun and safe environment for our kids and makes our summers days more fun! Our 3 year old enjoys the playground and the lagoon too. You have to PAY FOR PARKING but that's pretty normal for Newport Beach. We usually find parking very easily near here. Also, there are PUBLIC RESTROOMS and showers to rinse off available inside & next to the "lighthouse" - another thing that makes this spot easier with kiddos!

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

Beach Therapy at Its Best! Absolutely love this beach! It's…read morelike a genie in a bottle; it somehow gives me everything I need. Beautiful, clean, peaceful, and just the right amount of relaxation. The water was warm, the lifeguards were attentive, and the overall atmosphere was so serene. Yes, there's some seaweed, but honestly, you can get over that when everything else is this good. There are fire pits, a place to grab a bite right along the beach, and plenty of other restaurants nearby. You can pay to park, or do what I did, park on the street for free and take the walk down. Just be ready for that hill on the way back up! It's definitely a workout, but I'll take it. This beach is one of those places that works for a solo day to reset, family time, or a beautiful date by the water. Hubby and I did a date day, sun kissed and perfect. There's a drop-off area near the beach, and parking was around $10 I believe. Like I mentioned we exercised. Peaceful views, warm water, good energy...this is definitely my kind of therapy.

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.

Crystal Cove State Beach is one of the best places to watch the sunset. The beautiful ocean view,…read morerefreshing breeze, and peaceful atmosphere make it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunset.

This was a hidden gem and also a fun adventure to get to this beach! You do have to park across the…read morestreet in this parking area. The ranger will direct us where to go. Very easy to navigate and park and pay. It's optional to take the Beachcomber shuttle which was $2 one way, free for kids under 12 I believe. You can load all your beach stuff, but have to fold up strollers and wagons. I had my boogie boards and bags and cooler with me too. Follow the pathway and you'll see cottages/homes. You will also see the BeachComber restaurant and then that leads you right to the beach! Very scenic view. It is kid friendly. However, lots of seaweed though. We enjoyed it! Very different from your typical HB or Newport Beaches. It is an adventure and little more work, but my family enjoyed this new discovery!

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!!

Beautiful scene for pictures and sightseeing! Only in California do we get gem like this…read more Parking is a nightmare if you arrive after 10am so come early. Download parking app and do your parking research before. It will save you time immensely and money! I saw a car with a parking ticket of $79!! Friday 07/03/26- waves were very strong so no swimming. Restroom is next to the pier. There's also a playground next to the restroom and a clean place with water to wash off. Lots of places to eat and Fun Zone is a short walk. There were many people fishing as well. There are bike rental shop and a lots of people biking - children, teens and adults. SO MANY EV Bikes!

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