Newport Beach/Corona Del Mar

Spyglass Hill Park in Newport Beach

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Spyglass Hill Park in Newport Beach is high atop a hill near the ocean, but the views are only peek-a-boo.  Still, you feel like you’re above it all when you visit at sunset and the golden rays light up the playground. Directions to Spyglass Hill Park:  Reach San Joaquin Hills Road from either MacArthur or [...]

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Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar

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Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar is another one of those places I always wanted to visit while I was a UCI student. I can’t believe it took me this long to pass through the gate of this magical place! Directions to Sherman Library and Gardens:  Exit Interstate 405 at MacArthur Boulevard and [...]

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Grant Howald Park in Newport Beach

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Grant Howald Park in Newport Beach is tucked away in a Corona del Mar neighborhood off Pacific Coast Highway near MacArthur Blvd. A reader recommended that I add it to my Sand Free Parks list. Directions to Grant Howald Park: From Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, take either Goldenrod, Heliotrope, or Iris to the [...]

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West Newport Park in Newport Beach

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West Newport Park in Newport Beach is the one  you can see when you’re heading south on Pacific Coast Highway from Huntington Beach into Newport Beach. Restaurants and shops are on your left and there’s a long and skinny park on your right, just a block away from the beach. Location:  The street that parallels [...]

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Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park in Newport Beach

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Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park  in Newport Beach make me think of the good ‘ole days at the beach.  There are always families wandering around the shops and restaurants, kids riding bikes, and tourists visiting from out of town.  On the summer day we visited, Junior Lifeguards were there, in force. Location: There are two [...]

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