Best Beach Walks
1. My favourite walk along the beach is at Crystal Cove State Park. Located on P.C.H. South of Newport Coast between Newport and Laguna Beach the views here are hard to beat. For those of you with a baby jogger or dog there is a path on the cliffs above the beach that provide cool ocean breezes and great views. If you want to stroll down to the beach or go for a jog, the sand is hard packed and great for jogging. For those of you who feel the need to do a stair work-out there are steps at the north end of the beach below the golf course.
If you arrive in the early morning, you are always sure to see fisherman hoping for a catch.
The beach is home to the infamous historical Crystal Cove Cottages, located on the south end of the beach. These cottages have been the subjects of numerous Southern California paintings and photographs. Unique to the area, the cottages are available for rental through the Calfornia State Park Department. Stop by the visitor's center and see the cottage's history captured in photos.
Should you get hungry stop by the Beachcomer Cafe next to the cottages or visit the Shake Shack on P.C.H. The Shake Shack is now run by Ruby's Restuarant. You will not find the the classic PB and J. sandwhich or peanut butter milkshake on the menu, however they are yours if you ask for one.
2. Corona Del Mar Beach-The whole village of Corona Del Mar is great for walking. You can walk along P.C.H. in the village and stop into the various stores -although I am not sure if this counts as a walk. If you enjoy walking with a coffee in your hand this is the walk for you. There are a number of great stores in the village that are worthy of window shopping. On any given morning all the local coffee shops are packed with people and dogs. I am never too sure about the cyclists that stop off at Rose's Donuts or Pain du Monde -are they cycling or eating? The village boasts four places for coffee-each with their own unique crowd.
Another walk is through the neighborhood itself. Each street is unique. The residents take great pride in their homes and gardens. If you enjoy walking along the road and looking at the houses this is the walk for you.
Another fantastic walk with spectacular views of the ocean is along the bluffs on Ocean Blvd. above Big Corona State Beach. If you want to check out the tidepools, walk down the ramp at the south end of Ocean to Little Corona Beach.
3. Balboa Island. This walk is a fun walk around the island. Balboa Island has two island-big Balboa and little Balboa-A bridge links the two islands together. This is a great walk to do any time of the year. During the holidays the residents along the Bayfront take great pride in decorating their homes. Trick or treating on the Island is always guaranteed to nab some great loot. Adults and children alike get dressed up for the night. If after walking around the island you still feel that you need to add some mileage to your walk then take the ferry over to the Pennisula. Ferry rides are only 25 cents and worth the ride.
4. Anywhere on the Pennisula is great for walking. The boardwalk offers the most people watching if that is what you are looking for. Along the boardwalk at the Newport Pier is a collection of bars. Not really conducive to a healthy walk but fun to check out. The boardwalk at the Balboa Pier across from where the ferry drops you off is much quieter.
If you want to check out the surfers stay between the Newport Pier and Huntington Beach. In the summer time in the morning hours you can watch the junior lifeguards in training.
4. Back Bay-There are two sides to the Back Bay-the bluffs along Irvine Blvd and across the estuary off of Eastbluff Ave. Both sides are great for walking. Along the bluffs, you can either stay on the sidewalk or go onto to the dirt paths. You are always sure to be accompanied by other walkers and joggers. As you make your way down past the visitor center towards Jamboree Road, you will sometimes be sharing the trail with horses.
In the Back Bay off of Eastbluff you will be alongside the estuary. Here a road runs parallel to the bay. Car traffic is only permitted in one direction. There is always sure to be a collection of cyclists and runners along with walkers here. On any given day you are guaranteed to see an assortment of birds and possibly the odd coyote. This past year a bobcat family has taken residence.
If you are on your bicycle, pay attention to the traffic laws. My husband was chased down by a motorcycle cop and given a ticket. The officer is serious about his job, he came to court to ensure a conviction on the ticket.
