The Big Hill, Corona del Mar State Beach, CA
Corona Del Mar State Beach is a great little beach located at the bottom of cliffs that are capped with huge, luxurious homes. Usually, the waves are small and perfect for kids on their boogie boards. If you like big waves, this beach is not for you. However, there can be some forceful waves occasionally, and caution should always be exercised.
Before you begin, make sure you check the local weather report especially if you are driving from inland cities. On more than one occasion, we’ve headed down to the beach leaving gorgeous 80 degree weather, being surprised by the heavy marine layer and 60 degree weather that awaited us. Had we known, we would have packed jackets.
If you are planning on packing a lot, for example, coolers, beach umbrellas, boogie boards and other beach toys, you might seriously think about paying the $10 ($8 on weekdays) to park in the beach lot at the bottom of the big, big hill. Otherwise, it’s street parking and hauling your stuff down the hill. Actually, that’s the easy part. It’s going back up the hill, with protesting kids trailing behind that almost does me in.
During the summer season, the beach has lifeguards and a snack shack. Other services that are open all year include bathrooms, showers and fire pits.
If you’re standing on the beach looking out at the ocean, the far left side (south) of the beach has tide pools that are fun to explore. The far right side of the beach, across the parking lot, has an unmarked trail up a rocky hill. Once you hike to the top, there is a view of Newport Harbor and a staircase leading to a cove below – complete with a lifeguard station.
The Cove