6 Things to Do in Your First Week in Corona Del Mar

Corona del Mar, which translates to "the crown of the sea," is one of the most luxurious, thrilling places to live in throughout California. Rivaled only by the neighboring Newport Beach, this once remote seaside village is now an upmarket suburban neighborhood that offers endless delights to its visitors and residents.

 

Some of the first people to come to Corona del Mar were daring surfers attracted by monstrous waves at the Corona del Mar beach. Pioneered by the legendary Duke Kahanamoku with his redwood longboard, these people were attracted by the beach's exhilarating surfing experience.

 

Today, people visit and live in Corona del Mar for its coastal treasures: the sea, the sun, the beaches, and the luxurious lifestyle. Even Hollywood loves the town, filming at Pirate's Cove for Gilligan's Island and other notable shows.

 

Although it still has a quaint seaside village vibe, Corona del Mar (or CdM, as locals affectionately call it) is a vibrant coastal neighborhood with endless fun and exciting things to do all year round.

 

Whether you're visiting or just moved into the Corona del Mar neighborhood, here are the top things to do in Corona del Mar to delight yourself and your family.

Start your excursion at Corona del Mar State Beach for surfing, sunbathing, diving, beach volleyball, and relaxing swims. Also known as Big Corona Beach, the half-mile-long beach is framed by cliffs and a rock jetty that's also the east entrance to the harbor.

 

Big Corona Beach is vaunted for its alluring sandy beaches. The State owns and operates the beach, maintaining generous and secure parking for which it charges a small fee.

 

The construction of the East and West jetties and the removal of a sandbar at the entrance of the harbor killed the pounding waves and dangerous riptides, making the beach safe for swimming. Whether you're a beginner swimmer or an experienced snorkeler, the blue waters of Big Corona Beach are perfect for you.

 

You can also walk the beach and enjoy the stunning Pacific views and natural coastal attractions. Take a walk to the south side, where a footpath leads up to Inspiration Point, a gorgeous bluff overlooking the pristine beach and blue waters. This is a perfect picnic spot from where you can experience the ethereal beauty of a sunrise or sunset.

 

You can also stroll over to the rock jetty, where sea lions love to sun themselves and watch people. If you grab a fire pit, you can recreate romantic scenes in the movie Love Story that was filmed right there on the beach.

The pummeling waves that once excited surfers are no longer there, but you can go paddleboarding and kayaking around the harbor. Hire one right there at the harbor, and you can even take a crash course if you need it.

 

Once you've found your sea legs, join a tour or set off on a solo sail to experience the harbor's extraordinary sights. You'll be able to visit stunning beaches and rock formations while paddling around Newport harbor and Balboa Island, while a tour of Newport Back Bay reveals the local coastal ecosystems, including stingrays.

 

If you're skilled and brave enough to venture south and south-west, the ocean changes from the civilization of Newport into a virtual wilderness filled with whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, and more sea lions.

 

The animals are mostly friendly, so you only need to look out for speedboats. If you go further south-southwest, the island paradise is just a few hours away by kayak.

 

If you're looking for something even more exclusive and romantic, go on a gondola tour around Newport harbor. Gondola Adventures offers cruises in authentic Venetian gondolas equipped with silent electric motors.

 

A slow gondola tour around the harbor is the epitome of luxury. The sleek mahogany vessels feature ornate decorations with elegant interiors. The company offers several exclusive services, including four-course meals with wine and champagne, and they even operate wedding gondolas, the only one to offer that service east of the Mississippi.

Little Corona is the worst kept secret in CdM. Accessible by the ocean and by a footpath at the end of Poppy Avenue, Little Corona Beach has magical rock formations that you simply must see.

 

To start with, explore the tide pools teeming with life along the beach. There are starfish, urchins, crabs, and sea anemones lurking about, and you might even spot brightly colored nudibranchs.

 

We recommend visiting Little Corona after 5 pm when most of the people have left. The rock cliffs make this beach one of the best places to see the sunsets. The beach also offers views of Catalina Island 25 miles away, along with a vantage point to breathtaking views of the ocean, Big Corona beach, and the harbor.

 

To the left, you can also see or visit the famous rock formations of Little Corona. Head out at low tide to Little Arch Rock and Big Arch Rock; these rock arches rise from the turquoise waters and make them a perfect place to snap some beautiful photos.

 

Those in the know will tell you to wait for low tide to hike 15 minutes down the coastline from Little Corona Beach to Crystal Cove State Park. The first cove you will find is Cameo Shores Beach with its big arch, the Cliff Island Arch. The beach and Arch offer breathtaking views at sunset and fabulous opportunities for photographers.

 

However, be extremely careful along this stretch of the beach. The place is extremely rocky, so water shoes are highly recommended. Only attempt the walk at low tide and do not give your back to the water; the ocean gets rough.

 

Once you get to Crystal Cove State Park, you will have some of the most beautiful coastal views in Southern California. There are miles of backcountry and undeveloped coastline and a vintage district with a campground, cottages, a restaurant, and a shack selling milkshakes.

Whale watching is one of the top things to do in Corona del Mar, and the nearby Newport Landing is the ideal place to watch whales all year round. The majestic sea creatures swim along the Laguna Beach coastline, especially during the gray whale migration that takes place from December to April.

 

From May to November, the warm current brings in enormous blue whales, killer whales, finbacks, and huge pods of dolphins, seals, sharks, and many other marine mammals.

 

The Newport Landing Whale Watching Company offers daily whale watching cruises, each lasting about 2 ½ hours. For an even more luxurious experience, why not charter a private tour and enjoy a more intimate experience with your family and friends?

 

A private tour of the protected marine park, just a few minutes from Newport Beach, allows you to get up close and personal with the awe-inspiring sea creatures with a unique 3600 viewing experience.

 

As one of the country's best destinations for whale watching, Newport Beach is always alive with animals. You can even spot some calves around April and May as the gray whales return from their birthing trip in the warmer south.

As Orange County's premier entertainment, shopping, and dining experience, Fashion Island should be on your bucket list. The outdoor mall is more like a small city, a luxurious oasis in the posh neighborhood of Newport Beach where you can shop in exclusive luxury stores while enjoying panoramic ocean views.

 

The 2.8+ million square feet are taken up by the who's who of luxury, with more than 180 swanky retailers. These include Orange County's only Neiman Marcus as well as Brandy Melville, Elie Tahari, Zadig & Voltaire, Rebecca Taylor, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and many other luxe brands.

 

The Island also offers more than 30 dining options, including world-class restaurants. For fine dining, try:

 

If you're looking for some casual outdoor dining, spots like Mariposa Restaurant, Hana Grill, Happy Lemon, Wahoo's Fish Taco, and many others line up to delight your palate.

 

Fashion Island also hosts events throughout the year. Fashion events, live music nights, author events, Styleweek OC, and many holiday events all make The Fashion Island the beating hub of CdM. For CdM residents, these are events you won't want to miss.

 

If you intend to live in Corona del Mar, start by searching for home listings in the area now. Corona del Mar real estate is hot right now, but the right agent can help you find what you want.

If you're a surfer, Corona del Mar still holds amazing opportunities for you. Head over to The Wedge at the eastern end of the Balboa Peninsula, near the harbor's entrance. Renowned throughout California for its enormous waves that regularly reach 30ft, The Wedge is also one of the town's top spots for water sports.

 

The Wedge emerged when a protective jetty was created in the early 1900s to try and tame the wild ocean waves. Now, when the ocean swells from the south or southwest, the waves break over the rock jetty to create towering waves.

 

The Wedge is ideal for experienced surfers, longboarding, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and skimboarding. The water goes from deep to shallow quickly at The Wedge, which means the waves can get angry here. Only get in the water if you know what you're doing.

 

Alternatively, you can sit in the white sand and watch or photograph the absolutely beautiful spectacles. But, the beach and water get crowded, so get there early.

Newport Beach, CdM, Laguna Hills, Sacramento, and other Southern California neighborhoods offer an unparalleled coastal lifestyle. However, finding the right home can be a challenge.

If you're looking for a home or condo in Corona del Mar, talk to Carly Zamani and her team at ZRE Group. With their extensive experience and deep roots in SoCal neighborhoods, they are your best choice for finding your dream home in this luxurious coastal town.

Talk to Carly Zamani today for all your Corona del Mar real estate needs and get started on your dream lifestyle in the beautiful crown of the sea.