West Jetty View Park - The Wedge(Balboa Beach)

Located at the northern end of the Balboa Peninsula, the West Jetty View Beach is known by the locals as “The Wedge”, and is one of the most popular surfing spots in Southern California. This beach features a long jetty that runs across the water, which is what creates the large waves that can reach up to 30 feet. This spot has been featured in a PBS documentary and has also been mentioned in Bruce Brown’s Endless Summer and All Time Low’s Let it Roll. The history of this beach goes all the way back to the 1920s, and its legacy as a prime Southern California surfing spot carries on to this day.

Due to the abundance of large barrel waves at this spot, there are a crowd of surfers, kneeboarders, and bodyboarders in the waters most days. The waves are huge, so if you are a beginner, check out nearby spots such as the Balboa Pier where you can find more moderate waters. Although there are lifeguards stationed at this beach, it is not recommended to swim in the waters here, as rip currents occur frequently. Don’t worry if you’re not a surfer, this beach has plenty of people who come just to spectate and wade in the shoreline. There is also a small grass park with tables and palm trees that provide shaded spots perfect for those who want to relax or set up a picnic.

Due to the abundance of large barrel waves at this spot, there are a crowd of surfers, kneeboarders, and bodyboarders in the waters most days. The waves are huge, so if you are a beginner, check out nearby spots such as the Balboa Pier where you can find more moderate waters. Although there are lifeguards stationed at this beach, it is not recommended to swim in the waters here, as rip currents occur frequently. Don’t worry if you’re not a surfer, this beach has plenty of people who come just to spectate and wade in the shoreline. There is also a small grass park with tables and palm trees that provide shaded spots perfect for those who want to relax or set up a picnic.

If you get hungry, take a seven-minute drive to Ohana Ramen and Poke, where you can enjoy an extensive variety of sushi rolls and noodle dishes such as Tonkotsu Ramen. Right next to this spot is the Newport Landing Restaurant, a waterfront seafood restaurant known for their oyster bar and California wine list. If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, check out Picante Martin’s, where you can enjoy dishes like the Chicken Mole and Shrimp Fajitas.

If you need a place to stay, there are a number of residential properties nearby that can be rented through Airbnb. The Balboa Inn is a six-minute drive from the Wedge and offers family-friendly rooms, complimentary breakfast, and an ocean-view sundeck. You can also take a 19-minute drive to Marriot’s Newport Coast Villas, an upscale hotel that is across from the road at Fashion Island and features amenities such as an outdoor pool and fitness center. We also like Newport Beach Hotel, a 3-Star resort run by the Four Sisters Company. The rooms have hardwood floors and pillow-top mattresses and the hotel is a four-minute walk to the Newport Pier.