Newport Beach is a coastal city in South
Orange County, California
Orange County is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,186,989, making it the third-most-populous county in California, the sixth-most-populous in the United States, a ...
. Newport Beach is known for
swimming
Swimming is the self-propulsion of a person through water, or other liquid, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Locomotion is achieved through coordinated movement of the limbs and the body to achieve hydrodynamic thrust that r ...
and sandy beaches. Newport Harbor once supported maritime industries however today, it is used mostly for recreation.
Balboa Island draws visitors with a waterfront path and easy access from the ferry to the shops and restaurants.
History
The Upper Bay of Newport is a canyon carved by a stream in the
Pleistocene
The Pleistocene ( , often referred to as the ''Ice age'') is the geological Epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 2,580,000 to 11,700 years ago, spanning the Earth's most recent period of repeated glaciations. Before a change was fina ...
period. The Lower Bay of Newport was formed much later by sand brought along by ocean currents, which constructed the offshore beach now recognized as the Balboa Peninsula of Newport Beach.
For thousands of years, the
Tongva people
The Tongva ( ) are an Indigenous peoples of California, Indigenous people of California from the Los Angeles Basin and the Channel Islands of California, Southern Channel Islands, an area covering approximately . Some descendants of the people p ...
lived on the land in an extensive, thriving community. The Tongva villages of
Genga and
Moyongna
Moyongna, alternatively spelled Moyonga, was a coastal Tongva village or landmark site located near the entrance of Newport Bay in Newport Beach, California near Corona del Mar. As a coastal village, the usage of '' te'aats'' was likely important ...
were located in Newport Beach.
Throughout the 1800s, Europeans colonized the land and forcibly removed and assimilated the Tongva. Present-day Newport Beach exists upon the unceded homelands of the Tongva people, and they have a historical and continued presence as the traditional caretakers of the land.
The State of California sold acre-plots of land for $1 a piece in the Newport area. Anglo-American inhabitation in the area grew substantially following 1870 when a 105-ton steamer named ''The Vaquero,'' captained by Captain Samuel S. Dunnells (against warnings posted by surveyors), safely steered through the lower and upper bay of Newport where it unloaded its cargo.
James Irvine upon hearing the astonishing news, quickly traveled from his home in San Francisco to the San Joaquin Ranch. Meeting in Irvine's ranch house near current day
UC Irvine
UC may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''University Challenge'', a popular British quiz programme airing on BBC Two
** '' University Challenge (New Zealand)'', the New Zealand version of the British programme
* Universal Century, one of the ti ...
with his brother, Robert Irvine, and friend James McFadden, they agreed that the newly found port should be simply named "Newport" which is where Newport Beach gets its name. James McFadden built a long
McFadden Wharf in 1888.
In 1905, city development increased when
Pacific Electric Railway
The Pacific Electric Railway Company, nicknamed the Red Cars, was a privately owned mass transit system in Southern California consisting of electrically powered streetcars, interurban cars, and buses and was the largest electric railway system ...
established a southern terminus in Newport connecting the beach with downtown
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
.
In 1906 (with a population of 206 citizens), the scattered settlements were incorporated as the City of Newport Beach.
Settlements were filled in on the Peninsula, West Newport, Newport Island,
Balboa Island, and
Lido Isle. In 1923,
Corona del Mar
Corona del Mar (Spanish for "Crown of the Sea") is a seaside neighborhood in the city of Newport Beach, California. It generally consists of all the land on the seaward face of the San Joaquin Hills south of Avocado Avenue to the city limits, as ...
was annexed and in 2002,
Newport Coast
Newport Coast is a community south of the main body of the city of Newport Beach, California. It was a separate census-designated place in Orange County, California, United States, until 2001, when it was annexed into Newport Beach. Newport Beach ...
, East
Santa Ana Heights
Santa Ana Heights is a community in Orange County, California. The eastern part is located within the city limits of Newport Beach. The community is surrounded by John Wayne Airport and Costa Mesa.
Santa Ana Heights is zoned for more moderate inco ...
, and
San Joaquin Hills
The San Joaquin Hills are a low mountain range of the Peninsular Ranges System, located in coastal Orange County, California.
They extend in a northwest–southeast direction, starting in the northwest in Newport Beach at the southern edge of t ...
were annexed.
In 2008, after a long battle with the city of
Costa Mesa
Costa may refer to:
Biology
* Rib (Latin: ''costa''), in vertebrate anatomy
* Costa (botany), the central strand of a plant leaf or thallus
* Costa (coral), a stony rib, part of the skeleton of a coral
* Costa (entomology), the leading edge of t ...
, Newport Beach annexed West
Santa Ana Heights
Santa Ana Heights is a community in Orange County, California. The eastern part is located within the city limits of Newport Beach. The community is surrounded by John Wayne Airport and Costa Mesa.
Santa Ana Heights is zoned for more moderate inco ...
.
Geography
![Dover and PCH 2013 NB Photo D Ramey Logan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Dover_and_PCH_2013_NB_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
Newport Beach extends in elevation from
sea level
Mean sea level (MSL, often shortened to sea level) is an average surface level of one or more among Earth's coastal bodies of water from which heights such as elevation may be measured. The global MSL is a type of vertical datuma standardised g ...
to the summit of Signal Peak in the
San Joaquin Hills
The San Joaquin Hills are a low mountain range of the Peninsular Ranges System, located in coastal Orange County, California.
They extend in a northwest–southeast direction, starting in the northwest in Newport Beach at the southern edge of t ...
, but the official elevation is above sea level at a location of (33.616671, −117.897604).
The city is bordered on the west by
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California, located southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. The city is named after American businessman Henry E. Huntington. The population was 198,711 during the 2020 census, maki ...
at the
Santa Ana River
The Santa Ana River is the largest river entirely within Southern California in the United States. It rises in the San Bernardino Mountains and flows for most of its length through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, before cutting through ...
; on the north by
Costa Mesa
Costa may refer to:
Biology
* Rib (Latin: ''costa''), in vertebrate anatomy
* Costa (botany), the central strand of a plant leaf or thallus
* Costa (coral), a stony rib, part of the skeleton of a coral
* Costa (entomology), the leading edge of t ...
,
John Wayne Airport
John Wayne Airport is a commercial and general aviation airport that serves Orange County, California, and the Greater Los Angeles area. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, and it is owned and operated by the cou ...
, the City of
Irvine Irvine may refer to:
Places On Earth Antarctica
*Irvine Glacier
*Mount Irvine (Antarctica)
Australia
*Irvine Island
*Mount Irvine, New South Wales
Canada
*Irvine, Alberta
* Irvine Inlet, Nunavut
United Kingdom
*Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotla ...
and
UC Irvine
UC may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''University Challenge'', a popular British quiz programme airing on BBC Two
** '' University Challenge (New Zealand)'', the New Zealand version of the British programme
* Universal Century, one of the ti ...
; and on the east by
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park is a state park of California, United States, encompassing of Pacific coastline, inland chaparral canyons, and the Crystal Cove Historic District of beach houses. The park is located in Newport Beach, and is part of the ...
.
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the city has a total area of . of it is land and of it (55.07%) is water.
Areas of Newport Beach include
Corona del Mar
Corona del Mar (Spanish for "Crown of the Sea") is a seaside neighborhood in the city of Newport Beach, California. It generally consists of all the land on the seaward face of the San Joaquin Hills south of Avocado Avenue to the city limits, as ...
,
Balboa Island,
Balboa Peninsula
The Balboa Peninsula (also referred to as "Balboa" or "the Peninsula") is a neighborhood of the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It is named after Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to sight the Pacific ...
(also known as
Balboa), Lido Peninsula,
Newport Coast
Newport Coast is a community south of the main body of the city of Newport Beach, California. It was a separate census-designated place in Orange County, California, United States, until 2001, when it was annexed into Newport Beach. Newport Beach ...
,
San Joaquin Hills
The San Joaquin Hills are a low mountain range of the Peninsular Ranges System, located in coastal Orange County, California.
They extend in a northwest–southeast direction, starting in the northwest in Newport Beach at the southern edge of t ...
,
Santa Ana Heights
Santa Ana Heights is a community in Orange County, California. The eastern part is located within the city limits of Newport Beach. The community is surrounded by John Wayne Airport and Costa Mesa.
Santa Ana Heights is zoned for more moderate inco ...
, and West Newport.
Newport Harbor and Newport Bay
Newport Harbor is a semi-artificial harbor that was formed by dredging
Newport Bay estuary
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environment ...
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
Collins may refer to:
People Surname
Given name
* Collins O. Bright (1917–?), Sierra Leonean diplomat
* Collins Chabane (1960–2015), South African Minister of Public Service and Administration
* Collins Cheboi (born 1987), Kenyan middle-d ...
,
Bay Island,
Harbor Island
Harbor Island is an artificial island in the mouth of the Duwamish River in Seattle, Washington, US, where it empties into Elliott Bay. Built by the Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company, it was completed in 1909 and was then the largest art ...
,
Lido Isle, and
Linda Isle.
![The Lido Peninsula Photo D Ramey Logan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/The_Lido_Peninsula_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
Newport Harbor once supported maritime industries such as
boatbuilding
Boat building is the design and construction of boats and their systems. This includes at a minimum a hull, with propulsion, mechanical, navigation, safety and other systems as a craft requires.
Construction materials and methods
Wood
Wo ...
,
shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to befor ...
, and
commercial fishing
Commercial fishing is the activity of catching fish and other seafood for commercial profit, mostly from wild fisheries. It provides a large quantity of food to many countries around the world, but those who practice it as an industry must often ...
, but today it is used mostly for recreation. Its shores are occupied mostly by private homes and private
docks. Newport Harbor has approximately 9,000 boats and is one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the U.S. west coast. It's a popular destination for all
boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether Motorboat, powerboats, Sailing, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats), focused on the travel itself, as well as sp ...
activities, including
sailing
Sailing employs the wind—acting on sails, wingsails or kites—to propel a craft on the surface of the ''water'' (sailing ship, sailboat, raft, windsurfer, or kitesurfer), on ''ice'' (iceboat) or on ''land'' (land yacht) over a chosen cour ...
,
fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...
,
rowing
Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddling, but rowing requires oars to be mechanically atta ...
,
canoeing
Canoeing is an activity which involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle. Common meanings of the term are limited to when the canoeing is the central purpose of the activity. Broader meanings include when it is combined with other acti ...
,
kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving over water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the paddler sits fac ...
, and
paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is a water sport in which participants are propelled by a swimming motion using their arms while lying or kneeling on a paddleboard or surfboard in the ocean or other body of water. This article refers to traditional prone or kneeli ...
.
Commercial maritime operations today include the
Catalina Flyer
The ''Catalina Flyer'' is a 500-passenger catamaran ferry operated by Catalina Passenger Service.
It has provided daily passenger service since 1988 from the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, California to the city of Avalon located on Santa ...
ferry to
Catalina Island, harbor tours,
sport fishing
Recreational fishing, also called sport fishing or game fishing, is fishing for leisure, exercise or competition. It can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is professional fishing for profit; or subsistence fishing, which is fishing ...
,
whale watching
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins ( cetaceans) in their natural habitat. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity (cf. birdwatching), but it can also serve scientific and/or educational purposes.Hoyt, E. 2 ...
day trips, and charters as well as 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
The Upper Newport Bay (known locally as "The Back Bay") is a large coastal wetland (an estuary) in Newport Beach, Southern California and a major stopover for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Dozens of species, including endangered ones, can be ob ...
, 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 Newport Dunes Marina.
The north end of the Newport Harbor channels surrounding Lido Isle has several small business centers and was at one time used as a home by the fishing fleets. On the North East side of the channel, the Lido Marina Village now acts as the local port to many "Newport Party Boats" that can be rented for events, as well as small merchants and local restaurants. It also hosts the area boat show each year, and an organic "Farmers Market" on Sundays, in addition to being the port for the local Gondola Company. In 2014, the center was closed for a renovation. The Lido Village was reopened in 2017 after a complete renovation.
In 1927, a home was built at the mouth of the entrance of Newport Harbor that came to be known as the
China House of China Cove China House was a distinctive bright pink house with elaborate scrolling and curved Chinese architecture. It was built in 1927 in Newport Beach, California, by a Pasadena
Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of ...
. The home was built using traditional Chinese architecture. It was a landmark in the Newport Beach Harbor until it was demolished in the 1980s. Some of the original roof can be seen on a home located in the China Cove.
Upper Newport Bay
The Upper Newport Bay (known locally as "The Back Bay") is a large coastal wetland (an estuary) in Newport Beach, Southern California and a major stopover for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Dozens of species, including endangered ones, can be ob ...
is an
estuary
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environment ...
that was formed by a prehistoric flow of the
Santa Ana River
The Santa Ana River is the largest river entirely within Southern California in the United States. It rises in the San Bernardino Mountains and flows for most of its length through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, before cutting through ...
. Today it is fed by a small stream from
San Diego Creek
San Diego Creek is a urban waterway flowing into Upper Newport Bay in Orange County, California in the United States. Its watershed covers in parts of eight cities, including Irvine, Tustin, and Costa Mesa. From its headwaters in Laguna Woo ...
. Much of Upper Newport Bay is a protected natural area known as the
Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve
The Upper Newport Bay (known locally as "The Back Bay") is a large coastal wetland (an estuary) in Newport Beach, Southern California and a major stopover for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Dozens of species, including endangered ones, can be ob ...
, established in 1975.
Climate
Newport Beach has a mid-latitude
semi-arid climate
A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of semi-ar ...
(
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
''BSk'') with characteristics of a
warm-summer Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate (also called a dry summer temperate climate ''Cs'') is a temperate climate sub-type, generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the ...
(
Köppen Köppen is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Bernd Köppen (born 1951), German pianist and composer
* Carl Köppen (1833-1907), German military advisor in Meiji era Japan
* Edlef Köppen (1893–1939), German author and ...
: ''Csb''). Like many Los Angeles and Orange coastal cities, Newport Beach exhibits weak temperature variation, diurnally and seasonally, compared to inland cities even a few miles from the ocean. The
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the continen ...
greatly moderates Newport Beach's climate by warming winter temperatures and cooling summer temperatures. Diurnal temperature variation is stronger during the winter than during the summer. Newport Beach does not receive enough precipitation to qualify as a true Mediterranean climate.
Demographics
2010
![Balboa Island wide 2 Photo D Ramey Logan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Balboa_Island_wide_2_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
The
2010 United States Census
The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators servin ...
reported that Newport Beach had a population of 85,186. The population density was . The racial makeup of Newport Beach was 74,357 (87.3%)
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
(82.3% Non-Hispanic White),
616 (0.7%)
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 223 (0.3%)
Native American, 5,982 (7.0%)
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 114 (0.1%)
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...
, 1,401 (1.6%) from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 2,493 (2.9%) from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 6,174 persons (7.2%).
The Census reported that 84,784 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 151 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 251 (0.3%) were institutionalized.
There were 38,751 households, out of which 8,212 (21.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 17,273 (44.6%) were
opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,608 (6.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,199 (3.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,846 (4.8%)
unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 233 (0.6%)
same-sex married couples or partnerships. 12,838 households (33.1%) were individuals, and 4,412 (11.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.19. There were 21,080
families
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Ideall ...
(54.4% of all households); the average family size was 2.81.
The population was different ages with 14,744 people (17.3%) under the age of 18, 6,659 people (7.8%) aged 18 to 24, 22,299 people (26.2%) aged 25 to 44, 25,322 people (29.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 16,162 people (19.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
There were 44,193 housing units at an average density of , of which 21,224 (54.8%) were owner-occupied, and 17,527 (45.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%. 50,511 people (59.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units, and 34,273 people (40.2%) lived in rental housing units.
In 2009–2013, Newport Beach had a median household income of $106,333, with 7.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
2000
![North Newport Beach photo D Ramey Logan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/North_Newport_Beach_photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2000, there were 70,032 people, 33,071 households, and 16,965 families residing in the city. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 4,738.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,829.5/km). There were 37,288 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.22%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, 0.53%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.26%
Native American, 4.00%
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.12%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...
, 1.13% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 1.74% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 4.71% of the population. There were 33,071 households, out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were
married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.7% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09, and the average family size was 2.71. In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.6 males. According to a 2019 US Census estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $64,423, while the median family income was $126,976. Males had a median income of $73,425 versus $45,409 for females. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the city was $63,015. About 2.1% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Housing prices in Newport Beach ranked eighth highest in the United States in a 2009 survey.
Newport Beach is home to one
Fortune 500
The ''Fortune'' 500 is an annual list compiled and published by ''Fortune'' magazine that ranks 500 of the largest United States corporations by total revenue for their respective fiscal years. The list includes publicly held companies, along ...
company, insurer
Pacific Life
Pacific Life Insurance Company is an American insurance company providing life insurance products, annuities, and mutual funds, and offers a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans.
History
Pacif ...
. Other companies based in Newport Beach include
Acacia Research
Acacia Research Corporation is an American company based in New York City. Acacia partners with patent owners such as inventors and universities to license patents that are infringed. Roughly 95% of the company's business involves licensing i ...
, Galardi Group (
Wienerschnitzel
Wienerschnitzel is an American fast food chain founded in 1961 (as "Der Wienerschnitzel") that specializes in hot dogs. Despite the name, the company does not sell Wiener schnitzel, only selling it once as a promotional item. Wienerschnitzel l ...
),
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (, ), often known simply as Chipotle, is an American chain of fast casual restaurants specializing in bowls, tacos and Mission burritos made to order in front of the customer. Chipotle operates restaurants in the Unit ...
,
The Original Hamburger Stand
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
,
Tastee-Freez
Tastee-Freez is an American franchised fast-food restaurant specializing in soft serve ice cream. Its corporate headquarters is in Newport Beach, California, and it has stores in seven states, with two stores located in Illinois. The first Tast ...
, the
Irvine Company
The Irvine Company LLC is an American private company focused on real estate development. It is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, with a large portion of its operations centered in and around Irvine, California, a planned city of more ...
,
Jazz Semiconductor
Jazz Semiconductor is a semiconductor wafer foundry that is a wholly-owned United States subsidiary of Israel-based Tower Semiconductor. Its customers include developers of wireless, optical networking, power management, storage, and aerospace/de ...
,
PIMCO
PIMCO (Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC) is an American investment management firm focusing on active fixed income management worldwide. PIMCO manages investments in many asset classes such as fixed income, equities, commodities, asset ...
, and
Urban Decay
Urban decay (also known as urban rot, urban death or urban blight) is the sociological process by which a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude. There is no single process that leads to urban deca ...
. Fletcher Jones Motor Cars in Newport Beach is the largest Mercedes-Benz dealership in the world. At one time
Edwards Theatres had its headquarters in Newport Beach. Before its dissolution
Air California
Air California, later renamed AirCal, was an American airline company, founded by William E. Myers and Bill Perrera, a partnership of Orange County businessmen. It began as an intrastate airline operating solely within California.
Air Californ ...
was headquartered in Newport Beach. The city's largest law firm is
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth is a law firm headquartered in Newport Beach, employing approximately 130 attorneys, and focusing on areas of law including corporate law including mergers and acquisitions and business litigation, intellectual ...
, with approximately 75 attorneys at its
Fashion Island
Fashion Island is an outdoor regional shopping mall in Newport Beach, California. Opened in 1967 by The Irvine Company as the anchor to their master-planned Newport Center district, Fashion Island is anchored by Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Ma ...
location.
Toyota
is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on . Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 ...
has a design center,
Calty Design Research
Calty Design Research Incorporated (also simply known as Calty) is a Toyota design studio established in 1973. They have two facilities: one in Newport Beach, California for concept designs, and another in Ann Arbor, Michigan for production design ...
which is in Newport Beach and responsible for the exterior design of the 2nd, 5th, and 7th generation
Celica, as well as some
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota. The Lexus brand is marketed in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide and is Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. It has ranked among the 10 largest Japanese ...
and
Scion
Scion may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities
*Scion, a playable class in the game ''Path of Exile'' (2013)
*Atlantean Scion, a device in the ''Tomb Raider'' video game series
*Scions, an alien race in the video game ''Ba ...
models.
Top employers
According to the city's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
here are the top employers in the city.
Arts and culture
Points of interest
*
Newport Center and
Fashion Island
Fashion Island is an outdoor regional shopping mall in Newport Beach, California. Opened in 1967 by The Irvine Company as the anchor to their master-planned Newport Center district, Fashion Island is anchored by Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Ma ...
*
Orange County Museum of Art
The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) is a modern and contemporary art museum located on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. The museum's collection comprises more than 4,500 objects, with a concentration o ...
*
Hoag Hospital
Hoag is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Arthur Hoag (1921–1999), American astronomer
* Bob Hoag, American record producer and songwriter
*Charles Hoag (1808–1888), American scholar and teacher; first school master of Minn ...
*
Newport Back Bay The Back Bay is the colloquial term for the inland delta in Newport Beach, California. It connects the Upper Newport Bay with the Newport Harbor. It is a nature reserve home to several species of birds with hiking and biking trails. The bay is re ...
or
Upper Newport Bay
The Upper Newport Bay (known locally as "The Back Bay") is a large coastal wetland (an estuary) in Newport Beach, Southern California and a major stopover for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Dozens of species, including endangered ones, can be ob ...
*
Newport Pier
The Newport Pier is one of two municipal piers in the city of Newport Beach, California. The pier replaced the McFadden Wharf (1888-1939) and the site is registered as California Historical Landmark number 794. It is 1,032 feet (314.6 m) long. ...
*
Balboa Pier
The Balboa Pier is one of two piers in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. The other ocean pier on the Balboa Peninsula is the Newport Pier.
The Balboa Pier was constructed in 1906 as a sister project of the Balboa Pavilion. The ...
*
Balboa Fun Zone
The Balboa Fun Zone is a family destination located on the Balboa Peninsula in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. The Balboa Fun Zone offers both an ocean and harbor experience for an estimated seven million annual visitors ...
*
Balboa Island Ferry
The Balboa Island Car Ferry is a ferry service in Newport Beach, California.
The ferry boats travel under 1,000 feet from Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula (Fun Zone area) and vice versa, reaching a top speed of four miles per hour. The sp ...
*
Balboa Island
*
Lido Isle
*
Lido Marina Village
Lido may refer to:
Geography Africa
* Lido, a district in the city of Fez, Morocco
Asia
* Lido, an area in Chaoyang District, Beijing
* Lido, a cinema theater in Siam Square shopping area in Bangkok
* Lido City, a resort in West Java owned by MN ...
*
Inspiration Point
*
Crystal Cove Shake Shack
*
Sherman Library & Gardens
*
Newport Sports Museum
*
Pacific Coast Highway
*
Orange County Council BSA Sea Base
*
The Crab Cooker
The Crab Cooker is a popular Southern California restaurant specializing in seafood that is located at 22nd Street and Newport Boulevard in Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula. In 1969, ''Venture Magazine'' rated it as one of the top two rest ...
*
Corona del Mar State Beach
Corona del Mar State Beach (Spanish for the Crown of the Sea) is a protected beach in the state park system of California, United States. It is located in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, and operated by the city of Newport Beach. The park was e ...
*
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park is a state park of California, United States, encompassing of Pacific coastline, inland chaparral canyons, and the Crystal Cove Historic District of beach houses. The park is located in Newport Beach, and is part of the ...
*
The Wedge (surfing)
The Wedge is a spot located at the extreme southeast end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California known for its large waves that makes it a popular spot for surfing and bodysurfing. The Wedge is located at the intersection of the beac ...
*
Lovell Beach House
The Lovell Beach House is located on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California. The building was completed in 1926 and is now recognized as one of the most important works by architect Rudolf Schindler, second only to the Schindler Ho ...
*
Wooden Boat Festival
Image:Fashion_island_Newport_Beach_CA_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg, Newport Center
Image:Beer Can Races Newport Beach California photo D Ramey Logan.jpg, Beer Can Races
Beer can races are casual boat races held in the summer at nautical and yacht clubs.
Description
Beer can races allow people to experience yacht racing in a more relaxed environment than that of a major offshore race. They typically offer races ...
in Newport Beach
Newport Beach is a coastal city in South Orange County, California. Newport Beach is known for swimming and sandy beaches. Newport Harbor once supported maritime industries however today, it is used mostly for recreation. Balboa Island, Newport ...
Image:Lovell Beach House photo D Ramey Logan.jpg, Lovell Beach House
The Lovell Beach House is located on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California. The building was completed in 1926 and is now recognized as one of the most important works by architect Rudolf Schindler, second only to the Schindler Ho ...
Image:Body Surfing The Wedge Newport Beach CA photo D Ramey Logan.jpg, The Wedge (surfing)
The Wedge is a spot located at the extreme southeast end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California known for its large waves that makes it a popular spot for surfing and bodysurfing. The Wedge is located at the intersection of the beac ...
Image:Balboa Bay Club 2013 Photo D Ramey Logan.jpg, Balboa Bay Resort
The Balboa Bay Resort is a 160-room resort hotel in Newport Beach, California, United States on . The facility was founded in 1948 as the Balboa Bay Club, a private yacht club. The Balboa Bay Club includes a 130-slip marina, private beach, wat ...
File:Orange County Museum of Art exterior.jpg, Orange County Museum of Art
The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) is a modern and contemporary art museum located on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. The museum's collection comprises more than 4,500 objects, with a concentration o ...
Past landmarks
* The
China House of China Cove China House was a distinctive bright pink house with elaborate scrolling and curved Chinese architecture. It was built in 1927 in Newport Beach, California, by a Pasadena
Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of ...
*
The Reuben E. Lee
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...
*
Rendezvous Ballroom
The Rendezvous Ballroom was a large dance hall built in 1928, located on the beach of Balboa Peninsula in Orange County, Southern California, between Los Angeles and San Diego. The 1920s were the beginning of the heyday of public dancing to the mu ...
* The Banana Stand
*
Balboa Inn
The Balboa Inn is a hotel located on the Balboa Peninsula in the city of Newport Beach, California. Background
The hotel was established in 1930, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The architect was Walter Roland Hagedoh ...
* Hall House
Attractions
Beaches and surfing
Beachgoers have flocked to Newport Beach since the
Pacific Electric Railway
The Pacific Electric Railway Company, nicknamed the Red Cars, was a privately owned mass transit system in Southern California consisting of electrically powered streetcars, interurban cars, and buses and was the largest electric railway system ...
began bringing them in 1905. Attractions include the city beaches from the
Santa Ana River
The Santa Ana River is the largest river entirely within Southern California in the United States. It rises in the San Bernardino Mountains and flows for most of its length through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, before cutting through ...
to the tip of the
Balboa Peninsula
The Balboa Peninsula (also referred to as "Balboa" or "the Peninsula") is a neighborhood of the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It is named after Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to sight the Pacific ...
,
Corona del Mar State Beach
Corona del Mar State Beach (Spanish for the Crown of the Sea) is a protected beach in the state park system of California, United States. It is located in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, and operated by the city of Newport Beach. The park was e ...
, and the beaches at
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park is a state park of California, United States, encompassing of Pacific coastline, inland chaparral canyons, and the Crystal Cove Historic District of beach houses. The park is located in Newport Beach, and is part of the ...
. Newport Beach is known for good
surfing
Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitabl ...
, especially between
Newport Pier
The Newport Pier is one of two municipal piers in the city of Newport Beach, California. The pier replaced the McFadden Wharf (1888-1939) and the site is registered as California Historical Landmark number 794. It is 1,032 feet (314.6 m) long. ...
and the
Santa Ana River
The Santa Ana River is the largest river entirely within Southern California in the United States. It rises in the San Bernardino Mountains and flows for most of its length through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, before cutting through ...
. At the tip of the
Balboa Peninsula
The Balboa Peninsula (also referred to as "Balboa" or "the Peninsula") is a neighborhood of the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It is named after Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to sight the Pacific ...
,
The Wedge offers world-class
bodyboarding
Bodyboarding is a water sport in which the surfer rides a bodyboard on the crest, face, and curl of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore. Bodyboarding is also referred to as ''Boogieboarding'' due to the invention of the "Boogie ...
and
bodysurfing
Bodysurfing is the art and sport of riding a wave without the assistance of any buoyant device such as a surfboard or bodyboard. Bodysurfers often equip themselves with a pair of swimfins that aid propulsion and help the bodysurfer catch, ride an ...
.
Newport Pier
The Newport Pier is one of two municipal piers in the city of Newport Beach, California. The pier replaced the McFadden Wharf (1888-1939) and the site is registered as California Historical Landmark number 794. It is 1,032 feet (314.6 m) long. ...
and
Balboa Pier
The Balboa Pier is one of two piers in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. The other ocean pier on the Balboa Peninsula is the Newport Pier.
The Balboa Pier was constructed in 1906 as a sister project of the Balboa Pavilion. The ...
draw fishermen and sightseers. A
boardwalk
A boardwalk (alternatively board walk, boarded path, or promenade) is an elevated footpath, walkway, or causeway built with wooden planks that enables pedestrians to cross wet, fragile, or marshy land. They are also in effect a low type of bridge ...
runs from 36th Street in West Newport, past Newport Pier and Balboa Pier, to between E and F Streets on the Balboa Peninsula for both pedestrians and bikers.
Harbor and boating
Newport Harbor is the largest recreational boat harbor on the U.S. west coast, and a popular destination for all boating activities, including
sailing
Sailing employs the wind—acting on sails, wingsails or kites—to propel a craft on the surface of the ''water'' (sailing ship, sailboat, raft, windsurfer, or kitesurfer), on ''ice'' (iceboat) or on ''land'' (land yacht) over a chosen cour ...
,
fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...
,
rowing
Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddling, but rowing requires oars to be mechanically atta ...
,
kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving over water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the paddler sits fac ...
, and
paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is a water sport in which participants are propelled by a swimming motion using their arms while lying or kneeling on a paddleboard or surfboard in the ocean or other body of water. This article refers to traditional prone or kneeli ...
.
The annual Christmas Boat Parade started in 1908.
Competitive sailing, rowing, and paddling events are common. The annual
Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race
The Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race is an annual 125-nautical-mile international Yacht racing, yacht race. First run in 1948, sailors gather each spring in Newport Beach, California, to participate in one of the West Coast's premier regattas. The ...
is the largest
sailboat
A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture.
Types
Although sailboat terminology ...
race in the world.
Boating activities are organized by five private
yacht club
A yacht club is a sports club specifically related to yachting.
Description
Yacht clubs are mostly located by the sea, although there some that have been established at a lake or riverside locations. Yacht or sailing clubs have either a mari ...
s, along with Orange Coast College,
UC Irvine, and the Sea Scouts, all of which have sailing, rowing, and water activity bases on the harbor. The Newport Aquatic Center allows public participation in competitive rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and outrigger canoe racing. The Orange Coast College School of Sailing and Seamanship offers recreational and professional sailing and mariners' courses and certifications, including
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, mult ...
licensing.
Weekly races take place during the summer including the
Beer Can Races
Beer can races are casual boat races held in the summer at nautical and yacht clubs.
Description
Beer can races allow people to experience yacht racing in a more relaxed environment than that of a major offshore race. They typically offer races ...
.
=Nautical Clubs of Newport Beach
=
*
Newport Harbor Yacht Club
Newport Harbor Yacht Club is a yacht club located on the Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach, Balboa Peninsula, which is a neighborhood of the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California.
Facilities
The Newport Harbor Yacht Club facility h ...
*
Balboa Yacht Club
Balboa Yacht Club (''BYC'') is a yacht club located in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It is located near the entrance of the Newport Harbor.
History
BYC was founded in 1922 as the Southland Sailing Club, and was soon re ...
*
Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club
Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club (BCYC) is a yacht club located in Newport Beach, Orange County, California.
Description
In 1958 ten yachtsmen founded the club as "Bahia Yacht Club" in space leased from the Balboa Bay Club. Initially, most of the m ...
*
South Shore Yacht Club
South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west.
Etymology
The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz ...
*
Newport Beach Yacht Club
*
Lido Isle Yacht Club
*
American Legion Yacht Club
*
Newport Ocean Sailing Association
*
Newport Sea Base Yacht Club
Newport most commonly refers to:
*Newport, Wales
*Newport, Rhode Island, US
Newport or New Port may also refer to:
Places Asia
*Newport City, Metro Manila, a Philippine district in Pasay
Europe
Ireland
*Newport, County Mayo, a town on the ...
*
Orange Coast College Sailing Center
Orange most often refers to:
*Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis''
** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower
* Orange (colour), from the color of an orange, occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum
...
*
U.C. Irvine Sailing Association
UC may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''University Challenge'', a popular British quiz programme airing on BBC Two
** '' University Challenge (New Zealand)'', the New Zealand version of the British programme
* Universal Century, one of the ti ...
*
Pacific Yachting Club
Balboa
The historic
Balboa Pavilion
The Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, Orange County, California, is a California Historical Landmark and a National Historic Place. Established on July 1, 1906, the Balboa Pavilion played a prominent role in the development of Newport Beach by at ...
and
Balboa Island Ferry
The Balboa Island Car Ferry is a ferry service in Newport Beach, California.
The ferry boats travel under 1,000 feet from Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula (Fun Zone area) and vice versa, reaching a top speed of four miles per hour. The sp ...
are on the
Balboa Peninsula
The Balboa Peninsula (also referred to as "Balboa" or "the Peninsula") is a neighborhood of the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It is named after Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to sight the Pacific ...
and Balboa's most famous landmarks. The 500-passenger
Catalina Flyer
The ''Catalina Flyer'' is a 500-passenger catamaran ferry operated by Catalina Passenger Service.
It has provided daily passenger service since 1988 from the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, California to the city of Avalon located on Santa ...
is adjacent to the Pavilion and provides daily transportation to and from
Avalon
Avalon (; la, Insula Avallonis; cy, Ynys Afallon, Ynys Afallach; kw, Enys Avalow; literally meaning "the isle of fruit r appletrees"; also written ''Avallon'' or ''Avilion'' among various other spellings) is a mythical island featured in the ...
, located on
Santa Catalina Island. The
Balboa Fun Zone
The Balboa Fun Zone is a family destination located on the Balboa Peninsula in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. The Balboa Fun Zone offers both an ocean and harbor experience for an estimated seven million annual visitors ...
is also home to the
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
Newport most commonly refers to:
*Newport, Wales
*Newport, Rhode Island, US
Newport or New Port may also refer to:
Places Asia
*Newport City, Metro Manila, a Philippine district in Pasay
Europe
Ireland
*Newport, County Mayo, a town on the ...
.
Balboa Island village draws many visitors. A waterfront path around the island attracts walkers and joggers and provides easy access from the ferry to the shops and restaurants.
Media
* Newport Beach Independent (newspaper)
* Newport Beach (magazine)
Culture and nightlife
Fashion Island
Fashion Island is an outdoor regional shopping mall in Newport Beach, California. Opened in 1967 by The Irvine Company as the anchor to their master-planned Newport Center district, Fashion Island is anchored by Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Ma ...
at
Newport Center is a regional shopping and entertainment destination. Also at Newport Center, the
Orange County Museum of Art
The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) is a modern and contemporary art museum located on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. The museum's collection comprises more than 4,500 objects, with a concentration o ...
exhibits modern and contemporary art, with emphasis on the work of Californian artists.
Dining in Newport Beach tends to focus on seafood restaurants.
Parks and recreation
Upper Newport Bay
The Upper Newport Bay (known locally as "The Back Bay") is a large coastal wetland (an estuary) in Newport Beach, Southern California and a major stopover for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Dozens of species, including endangered ones, can be ob ...
, or the Back Bay, is ringed by Back Bay Drive and a network of trails and paths that attract
bicyclists
Cycling, also, when on a two-wheeled bicycle, called bicycling or biking, is the use of cycles for transport, recreation, exercise or sport. People engaged in cycling are referred to as "cyclists", "bicyclists", or "bikers". Apart from two ...
,
rollerbladers, joggers, and walkers.
Bird watchers
Birdwatching, or birding, is the observing of birds, either as a recreational activity or as a form of citizen science. A birdwatcher may observe by using their naked eye, by using a visual enhancement device like binoculars or a telescope, by ...
and nature lovers are drawn to the
Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve
The Upper Newport Bay (known locally as "The Back Bay") is a large coastal wetland (an estuary) in Newport Beach, Southern California and a major stopover for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Dozens of species, including endangered ones, can be ob ...
and
Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
Peter may refer to:
People
* List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name
* Peter (given name)
** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church
* Peter (surname), a su ...
; and
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park is a state park of California, United States, encompassing of Pacific coastline, inland chaparral canyons, and the Crystal Cove Historic District of beach houses. The park is located in Newport Beach, and is part of the ...
features
tide pools
A tide pool or rock pool is a shallow pool of seawater that forms on the rocky intertidal shore. Many of these pools exist as separate bodies of water only at low tide.
Many tide pool habitats are home to especially adaptable animals that ...
at its beach, with backcountry
hiking
Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...
and
mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, usually using specially designed mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and pe ...
trails. Camping is available at Crystal Cove State Park and at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina. Whale watching is also popular in the area, with both scheduled and charter boats leaving directly from Newport Harbor. Whales and dolphins can often be seen from the Balboa and Newport Piers, as well as the shoreline during migration season.
Fishing is also extremely popular in Newport Bay, off the coast of Newport, and along the Newport Bay Jetty. Within the bay, there are multiple locations to purchase bait for dockside or spearfishing convenience. There are about 80 fishable species located in Newport Bay. A few of the most commonly fished species include the Gray Smoothhound Shark, Leopard Shark, Round Stingray, Shovelnose Guitarfish, Pacific Staghorn Sculpin, Silvery Mullet, Top-smelt, California Halibut, Spotted Sand Bass, Yellowfin Croaker, Bat Ray, Thornback Ray, Diamond Turbot, Shiner Surfperch, Corbina, Opaleye, Pile Surfperch, and Red Shiner. Commercial fishing is also prominent in offshore Newport Beach and Newport Bay. Lobsters are commonly fished in the reefs. However, the bright orange Garibaldi fish found offshore is a protected species.
On dark nights intense occurrences of bioluminescence can be observed when waves splash into the shore or when marine animals leave glowing traces in their wake.
Golf
The Pelican Hill area has two golf courses that rank among Golf Digest America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses.
Government
Municipal
![Upper Newport Bay Photo D Ramey Logan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Upper_Newport_Bay_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
The City of Newport Beach was incorporated on September 1, 1906
and adopted its charter on January 7, 1955. The city implements a Council–manager government, council–manager form of government, directed by a seven-member council who reside in specific geographic districts, but are elected at-large. Council elections take place in even-numbered years, and council members serve four-year terms. The mayor is chosen annually by the city council.
Until 1927 the city's governing body was known as a board of trustees with a president as its head. An act of the Legislature in 1927 changed the board to City Council with a mayor as the head.
State and federal representation
In the California State Legislature, Newport Beach is in , and in .
In the United States House of Representatives, Newport Beach is in .
Voting History
Newport Beach has supported Republican Party (United States), Republican candidates for president and governor consistently since at least 1962.
As of February 2020, the California Secretary of State reported that Newport Beach had 57,408 registered voters; of those, 14,097 (24.56% vs. 35.63% in Orange County) are registered Democrats, 27,472 (47.85% vs. 34.16% in Orange County) are registered Republicans, 12,996 (22.64% vs. 25.29% in Orange County) have stated no political party preference, and 2,843 (4.95% vs. 4.92% in Orange County) are registered with a third party. According to a March 2018 report by the ''Sacramento Bee'', Newport Beach has the second highest percentage of conservative voters among large cities in California.
The Republican candidate exceeded 70% of the vote in Newport Beach in all seven presidential elections from 1964 to 1988 and seven of the nine gubernatorial elections from 1962 to 1994.
Although the politics of California have trended in favor of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, Newport Beach has remained Republican but has become less Republican over time. In 2016, as Donald Trump became the first GOP presidential candidate to lose Orange County since Alf Landon in 1936, Trump won Newport Beach by a margin of 14 points.
Trump also won Newport Beach by a margin of nearly ten points in his 2020 re-election bid.
Education
* Newport Elementary School
* Corona del Mar High School
* Newport Harbor High School
* Sage Hill School
* Pacifica Christian High School
* Carden Hall
* Eastbluff Elementary School
* Ensign Intermediate School
* Harbor Day School
* Harbor View Elementary School
* Lincoln Elementary School
* Mariners Elementary School
* Newport Heights Elementary School
* Newport Coast Elementary School
* Our Lady Queen of Angels School
* Roy O. Andersen Elementary School
Infrastructure
Fire department
The Newport Beach Fire Department is the agency that provides fire protection, lifeguard coverage, and emergency medical services.
Newport Beach has 8 fire stations spread across the city, as well as a Lifeguard Headquarters at the base of the Newport Pier.
Marine operations
![Newport Beach Life Guard Tacoma](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Newport_Beach_Life_Guard_Tacoma.jpg)
The marine division of the NBFD is responsible for lifeguarding the nearly 10 million annual visitors to Newport Beach's of ocean and of bay beaches.
In 2013 alone the marine division performed 3,811 water rescues.
Newport Beach lifeguards are recognized as the top agency in the nation, considering their relatively small size. They are also recognized as an advanced agency by the United States Lifesaving Association.
Newport Beach lifeguards also hold an annual summer Junior Lifeguard program which is one of the nation's largest and oldest. The Junior Lifeguard program works closely with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation to spread skin cancer awareness.
Included in their area is
The Wedge, a spot located at the extreme east end of the
Balboa Peninsula
The Balboa Peninsula (also referred to as "Balboa" or "the Peninsula") is a neighborhood of the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It is named after Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to sight the Pacific ...
that is known for its large wedge-shaped waves, which make it a popular spot for skimboarding,
surfing
Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitabl ...
,
bodyboarding
Bodyboarding is a water sport in which the surfer rides a bodyboard on the crest, face, and curl of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore. Bodyboarding is also referred to as ''Boogieboarding'' due to the invention of the "Boogie ...
, and
bodysurfing
Bodysurfing is the art and sport of riding a wave without the assistance of any buoyant device such as a surfboard or bodyboard. Bodysurfers often equip themselves with a pair of swimfins that aid propulsion and help the bodysurfer catch, ride an ...
. During south or south/southwest swells of the right size and aligned in the swell window, the Wedge can produce huge waves up to high. Newport Beach has one of the most diverse coastlines in the world, spanning over 6 miles. For this reason the NBFD Marine Operations Division requires its ocean lifeguards to be in top shape and to have years of local ocean experience.
Notable people
In popular culture
The city has figured into several television shows and movies:
* The music video for Childish Gambino's "3005" was filmed on the Ferris Wheel at the
Balboa Fun Zone
The Balboa Fun Zone is a family destination located on the Balboa Peninsula in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. The Balboa Fun Zone offers both an ocean and harbor experience for an estimated seven million annual visitors ...
.
* The TV show ''The O.C.'' was based on the fictional lives of people living in Newport Beach.
* MTV replaced its hit teen-reality series ''Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County'' with a new show, ''Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County'', on August 15, 2007. Only the cast and location changed in the new series which was based on the lives of high school students living in Newport Beach.
* The TV series ''Arrested Development (TV series), Arrested Development'' is set in Orange County and often features scenes at Newport Beach.
* Several scenes from the Disney Channel movie ''The Thirteenth Year'' were filmed at the Balboa Pavilion in 1999.
* The pop rock band ''Cute Is What We Aim For'' has a song titled "Newport Living."
* The TV series ''The Real Housewives of Orange County'' featured scenes of Newport Harbor.
* A guest on ''You Bet Your Life'' in 1954 was the mayor of Newport Beach noting that Balboa was a congregating point for southern Californian young people over Easter break, with 35,000 visiting the town of 18,000.
* The exterior of the Newport Beach Central Library appeared as the reunion venue in the 1997 film ''Romy and Michele's High School Reunion''.
* The ''Devil Inside (INXS song), Devil Inside'' video by the Australian band INXS was filmed around the
Balboa Fun Zone
The Balboa Fun Zone is a family destination located on the Balboa Peninsula in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. The Balboa Fun Zone offers both an ocean and harbor experience for an estimated seven million annual visitors ...
.
* The 1917 film ''Cleopatra (1917 film), Cleopatra'' by J. Gordon Edwards was filmed in Newport Beach.
* The clothing brand Hollister Co. has featured many brands including clothing that says Newport Beach.
* The movie ''All Quiet on the Western Front'' (1930) was filmed at Fashion Island in Newport Beach before its construction.
* The movie ''The Boatniks'' (1970) was filmed in Newport Harbor.
*The TV series ''Speechless (TV series), Speechless'' is set in Newport Beach, Orange County
* ''The Reckless Moment'', a 1949 film noir starring James Mason and Joan Bennett, filmed and set in Newport
Sister cities
* Antibes, France
* Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
* Okazaki, Aichi, Okazaki, Japan
See also
* Communities of Newport Beach, California
* List of cities and towns in California
References
External links
*
Archival collections
Guide to the Collection on the Development of Newport Beach, California.Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California.
Guide to the Lars Labagnino Collection on Newport Beach Real Estate.Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California.
Guide to the Hugh R. McMillan Photographs.Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California.
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Newport Beach, California,
1906 establishments in California
Cities in Orange County, California
Incorporated cities and towns in California
Populated coastal places in California
Populated places established in 1906
Populated places on the Santa Ana River
Surfing locations in California
Places with bioluminescence