Newport Beach

The Tongva lived in this area for thousands of years. Two of their villages, Genga and Moyongna, stood within the present city. The Spanish Empire, then Mexico and then the United States took over the land, and the Tongva were displaced.

In 1870 the steamer Vaquero, captained by Samuel S. Dunnells, entered the bay and unloaded cargo, which drew American settlers. James Irvine, his brother Robert Irvine and their friend James McFadden agreed to call the port Newport. McFadden built a wharf in 1888 that became a shipping hub.

In 1905 the Pacific Electric Railway opened a southern end of its line in Newport, linking the town to downtown Los Angeles. Newport Beach incorporated on September 1, 1906, with 206 residents. Corona del Mar was added in 1923. Newport Coast was annexed on January 1, 2002, East Santa Ana Heights on July 1, 2003, and West Santa Ana Heights in 2008.

Newport Harbor was formed by dredging the Newport Bay estuary in the early 1900s. Artificial islands in the harbor include Balboa Island, Lido Isle and Linda Isle. About 9,000 boats are kept there. Boatbuilding, shipbuilding and commercial fishing once worked from the harbor. Today it is used mainly for recreation.

Commercial boats still run from the harbor. They include the Catalina Flyer, a 500-passenger vessel that sails daily from the Balboa Pavilion to Avalon on Catalina Island. Harbor tours, sport fishing and whale watching also leave from the waterfront.

North of the Pacific Coast Highway bridge is Upper Newport Bay, also called the Back Bay. It is a protected natural area, set up as the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve in 1975. Newport Dunes Marina has harbor facilities in the Back Bay.

The city is known for its sandy beaches. City beaches run from the Santa Ana River to the tip of the Balboa Peninsula. There is also Corona del Mar State Beach and the beaches at Crystal Cove State Park. Surfing is especially good between Newport Pier and the Santa Ana River. At the tip of the Balboa Peninsula is The Wedge, a surf spot known for large wedge-shaped waves.

The Balboa Peninsula has the Balboa Pavilion, the Balboa Island Ferry and the Balboa Fun Zone. Balboa Pier and Newport Pier draw fishermen and sightseers. A boardwalk runs 2.9 miles (4.7 km) along the sand. Balboa Island has a waterfront path around the island and a ferry link to its shops and restaurants.

Boating events are a local tradition. The Christmas Boat Parade began in 1908. The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, weekly summer Beer Can Races and the Wooden Boat Festival are also listed. Fashion Island, an open-air shopping and dining center in Newport Center, is another well-known destination.

Finance, insurance and health care are large parts of the local economy. Pacific Life is a Fortune 500 company based in the city. Other companies based in the city include PIMCO, Chipotle, the Irvine Company, Jazz Semiconductor, Urban Decay and Toyota's Calty Design Research.

The city's 2021 financial report lists its biggest employers. They include Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, PIMCO, Pacific Life Insurance, Glidewell Dental, Irvine Management Company, Tower Semiconductor and the Resort at Pelican Hill. The Newport-Mesa Unified School District, the City of Newport Beach, Fletcher Jones Motor Cars, the Balboa Bay Club and the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Tennis Club are on the list too.

Dining in the city focuses on seafood restaurants.

The Pacific Coast Highway runs through the city and links its beach neighborhoods. John Wayne Airport sits on the northern border. The Balboa Island Ferry carries cars and people between the Balboa Peninsula and the island.

Orange County Transportation Authority buses serve the area. The Newport Transportation Center, just east of Fashion Island, is a transfer hub for several routes. The city website also lists biking and walking trails.

Public schools are run by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Newport Harbor High School and Corona del Mar High School are in the city. Private schools include Sage Hill School and Pacifica Christian High School. The University of California, Irvine borders the city to the north.

The city's website lists city parks and facilities, biking and walking trails, beach and parking information, recreation classes, and Library Services. It also lists cultural arts programs, including Concerts on the Green and a sculpture exhibition.

Crystal Cove State Park has tide pools and backcountry trails for hiking and mountain biking. Camping is offered at the state park and at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina. The Sherman Library and Gardens is also listed as an attraction.