Corona Del Mar State Beach
Corona Del Mar State Beach
Corona Del Mar State Beach
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
286 reviews
Excellent
192
Very good
72
Average
14
Poor
5
Terrible
3
deanna_morrison
Edmonton, Canada16 contributions
Dec 2019
Beach was beautiful & clean. Volleyball nets set up, numerous fire pits closer to washrooms & showers. (Bring your own wood). Some street parking but paid parking close to beach.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pldj m
185 contributions
May 2023 • Family
You can pay parking permit to park next to beach. Also can park free along the Ocean Blvd. Have different beach sections to play the water. Stand on the top, can view Newport Beach. Be there early afternoon to get nice spot to view beautiful sunset. It's nice to walk around beautiful neighborhood area.
Written May 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grpandnana
Wilmington, NC578 contributions
Jan 2020
CDM is one of my favorite beaches in the country. It is beautiful looking down from above or being down on the sand. A perfect place to sit and watch the sunset and relax. The grassy area above is a perfect spot to take a picnic.
It is also a perfect place to get engaged. Hubby asked me to marry him 32 years ago at the clift above the seals.
It is also a perfect place to get engaged. Hubby asked me to marry him 32 years ago at the clift above the seals.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perkadventures
Banning, CA15,333 contributions
Dec 2020
Walked along cliff above the beach and noted that the parking was lot below was pretty empty. Nice views of beach and small harbor. Was worm during our time there. Many expensive homes above and interesting to see. Many people not wearing masks.
Written December 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeffBransford
Corona del Mar, CA155 contributions
May 2016 • Family
I live here, and here are the tips. There is a loading and unloading zone down the hill, so if your car is packed, and you don't want to pay for parking on the beach ($15 all day, but lower by the hour) use this, drop off the kids, family, coolers, tent, and everything else, one person drives up the hill, parks, and walks down. The hill is easy to walk down, but coming back up after a day at the beach can be tough for all. Parking on top is free. And please remember where you parked, the streets are alphabetical flowers. Tip #2-Weekend parking on Ocean Blvd.-BE CAREFUL, there is a No Parking zone by the beach entrance, and even if other cars are parked there, don't! They do ticket, and it's around $80.00 now. Tip #3-Forgot something? There is a Smart and Final grocery store that just opened where Albertson's used to be on PCH, and a Rite Aid next to that. Guess that's it, it's a family beach, it's beautiful, the waves aren't too big for kids, the lifeguards are very helpful, there are fire rings, but for charcoal only now, I think, you can watch the boats come and go into the harbor, it has volleyball courts, it has showers, newly remodeled bathrooms, it has a snack bar, and you might see dolphins and seals.
Written May 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sirputz2017
Huntington Beach, CA20 contributions
Oct 2020
A great beach to learn how to ocean swim and boogie board. Great for kids. Paln ahead and getr there early especially in the summer so you can get a spot.
Written October 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrvlJunkE
East Wenatchee, WA366 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
We took a quick 4 day trip to California to visit our son and to feel the SUN on our bones again as we begin another long winter in the Pacific Northwest. While in sunny California we visited a different beach every day. We spoke to locals, googled and looked through online sources and our hotel sources for which beaches to go to. We were looking for something less traveled, family oriented, parking, snacks, and rentals.
We found this beach met all of our particulars except one. We did not find beach rentals at this property but we did find a GREAT PLACE to rest and enjoy some time in the sun and sand. Park right next to the beach, unload, play time begins. If you have some exercise enthusiasts in your group they may enjoy climbing the stairs up to the street we prefer to pay for the parking and unload right at the beach. Another great thing is the parking is so close, not like some of the beaches in WA where you park a mile away and the beach is so wide it feels like another mile to get to the actual water. This was a quick walk, which is great when you have children or elderlies with you.
Our family would highly recommend this beach!!!
We found this beach met all of our particulars except one. We did not find beach rentals at this property but we did find a GREAT PLACE to rest and enjoy some time in the sun and sand. Park right next to the beach, unload, play time begins. If you have some exercise enthusiasts in your group they may enjoy climbing the stairs up to the street we prefer to pay for the parking and unload right at the beach. Another great thing is the parking is so close, not like some of the beaches in WA where you park a mile away and the beach is so wide it feels like another mile to get to the actual water. This was a quick walk, which is great when you have children or elderlies with you.
Our family would highly recommend this beach!!!
Written November 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley N
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States252 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
I've been to the beach here since I was a child and it is my favorite OC beach. It has nearly everything you would want in a beach; perfect boogy boarding waves, tide pools, a rock you can climb over to the lagoon, rock jumping,decent bathroom facilities, volleyball, grassy areas, parking thats never too full, a private beach a ways up the hill thats a good spot to eat dinner. The little known lagoon is so calm, great for little kids and paddle boarding, you just have to climb over the big rock. Parking has gone up a bit, 10 years ago it was $6 a car, now its $15, but I think well worth it for a day at the beach. Such a clean beach. Really the only thing it doesn't offer is a pier that sells ice cream and a ferris wheel, if you want that, go to Newport/Balboa.
Written July 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James Weaver
Irvine, CA2,287 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Sunday night at Inspiration Point, sharing the top of the hill with several hundred others to watch the BIG RED BALL sink into the low grey clouds and disappear. We must have done this a thousand times. Some nights extremely clear, some so foggy you begin to wonder what you are up here trying to see. Last night across the channel, you could watch the waves breaking at the WEDGE. Not quite coming over the top of the jetty, maybe a splash of white foam. Got lucky and found a place to park, without driving back and forth on Ocean Blvd. When we first came here 50 years ago, small single story beach cottages lined the streets with lawns and roses. Used for summer resident vacations. Today it is a bit different, with zero lot line, two story, mansions lined up next to each other. And seemingly used rarely by their owners, their gardeners continue to take perfect care of the property.
Written June 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob Sneed
Albuquerque, NM151 contributions
Apr 2019
Okay, I’m going to give you the inside scoop. You’re going to read a lot of reviews, but this might as well be a how-to.
You don’t just want to go play in the sand. That will get you three vacation stars. I’m going to tell you how to get five vacation stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pack for the entire day. You’re going to want to bring a blanket from the hotel, snacks, drinks, and beach toys. No big deal, right? Here’s the kicker.
Can you go by the store (Whole Foods has they) and grab wrapped firewood as well as one of those prepackaged, light-the-bag logs. Buy some hotdogs, marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, you get the idea. Ask for everything you buy in a paper sack or two. Don’t forget a lighter.
Arrive around 3 PM on a weekday, because the weekends are way too busy. There are three locations where you can build a fire right on the beach. 🔥 Yup! Winning!
The Balboa Pier
1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, 92661
Parking is available in the Balboa Pier Parking Lot. The fire rings are on the beach are BOTH east and west of the Balboa Pier.
3001 Ocean Boulevard, Corona del Mar, 92625.
Parking is available in Corona del Mar Main Beach Lot. If the firings are taken, this is a great place to use the charcoal grills. These are on the far south side of the place. There’s a little light exploring for the kids too. Mary Poppins would love this place, because it’s practically perfect in every way.
You don’t just want to go play in the sand. That will get you three vacation stars. I’m going to tell you how to get five vacation stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pack for the entire day. You’re going to want to bring a blanket from the hotel, snacks, drinks, and beach toys. No big deal, right? Here’s the kicker.
Can you go by the store (Whole Foods has they) and grab wrapped firewood as well as one of those prepackaged, light-the-bag logs. Buy some hotdogs, marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, you get the idea. Ask for everything you buy in a paper sack or two. Don’t forget a lighter.
Arrive around 3 PM on a weekday, because the weekends are way too busy. There are three locations where you can build a fire right on the beach. 🔥 Yup! Winning!
The Balboa Pier
1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, 92661
Parking is available in the Balboa Pier Parking Lot. The fire rings are on the beach are BOTH east and west of the Balboa Pier.
3001 Ocean Boulevard, Corona del Mar, 92625.
Parking is available in Corona del Mar Main Beach Lot. If the firings are taken, this is a great place to use the charcoal grills. These are on the far south side of the place. There’s a little light exploring for the kids too. Mary Poppins would love this place, because it’s practically perfect in every way.
Written April 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How early should I go to get a fire pit on a Friday in the fall season?
Written October 16, 2021
What time does the sun set at this location in February?
Written January 23, 2020
Sunset is something that adjusts every day based on the Earth's rotation of the sun and tilt angle. When we were there, I checked for the sunset times on my weather app on my phone. We were able to watch the sunset the first night at Pelican Grille and the second night at the street level overlooking the Corona Del Mar beach.
Written January 28, 2020
Where are restrooms for the State Beach and Pirate’s Cove? Thanks.
Written June 28, 2019
Various restrooms along the main beach and a really highly rated restaurant/ snack bar, Pirate’s Cove is just a tiny space..nothing but water, sand and rocks. See Gilligan’s Island open for view of Pirates Cove! As the Minnow sails out, the jetty is on top of scene, Pirate’s Cove at the bottom. Parking on beach level if you arrive early, 9 AM, lot fills quickly. parking on cliff top above is in a residential area and can be a long, long walk carrying gear. Especially down stairs, maybe 150 or so.
Written June 29, 2019
Hi, can anyone tell me what kind of weather to expect end of may begonning of june? I keep reading about low tempretures but see pictures of packed beaches and so and confused? any advice appreciated, Thanks
Written June 22, 2019
Yes, in several areas and there is a long paved walkway along the inlet.
Written May 2, 2019
I don’t have beach towels. Are their shops to buy some their or should we buy before visiting?
Written September 22, 2018
no towels at the beach nor shops at the beach to buy towels. there are a few drug stores/grocery stores in town (not walk-able to the beach) that sell towels. if you are staying at a hotel, perhaps borrow a bath towel or two for the beach visit .
Written September 23, 2018
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