Corona del Mar State Beach, State beach in Newport Beach, United States

Corona del Mar State Beach is a sandy and rocky shoreline in Newport Beach that sits where the harbor entrance meets the open ocean. The landscape features multiple coves and protected swimming areas formed by natural rock formations.

Corona del Mar State Beach became a California state park in 1947, covering 30 acres. Surfing was popular here until the late 1930s, when the Newport Harbor jetty was extended; this created The Wedge break and shielded the beach from all but southerly swells. In 1925 Duke Kahanamoku used a surfboard to rescue people from a capsized fishing vessel in heavy surf.

Locals call the beach Big Corona to tell it apart from neighbouring Little Corona. Surfers head to The Wedge, the break formed when the Newport Harbor jetty was extended in the late 1930s, while bathers use the sand and the tidepools at low tide.

The main entrance at Ocean Boulevard and Jasmine Avenue offers a large parking area, while free parking is also available at Ocean Boulevard and Orchid Avenue. Multiple access points make it easy to explore the different sections of the beach without needing to walk far from your car.

Rock jetties near the shore create protected swimming zones and form Pirates Cove, a sheltered inlet along the harbor channel. This small cove remains quieter than the more open beach areas nearby, offering a different experience for those who find it.