West Newport Park in Newport Beach is the long park you can see when you're driving between Huntington Beach and Newport Beach on Coast Highway.
Restaurants and shops are on one side and there's a long and skinny park on the other side, just a block away from the beach.
There are 3 playgrounds along this long stretch of park. Seashore Drive is the street where you can grab parking for the playgrounds. It's a one-way street (from south to north).
How to Get to West Newport Park in Newport Beach: The street that parallels Pacific Coast Highway is called Seashore Drive. It is a ONE WAY street running from south to north. So if you want to catch up with the first playground, you need to access Seashore Drive from way south (off of Balboa Blvd) - winding your way through residential streets. Otherwise, the park spreads along here and you can access it from Coast Highway via Orange Street or Prospect Street. The easiest way to find it is to look at the map! MAP TO WEST NEWPORT PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH
Playground Near Handball Court
So we'll call this Playground #1. It's near the tennis courts and handball courts. This playground is the hardest to reach by car, because it's near the handball and tennis courts and you need to enter from West Balboa Blvd (to 47th Street to Seashore Drive), because of the one-way street and parking on Seashore.
There is also a little half circle basketball court tucked in on the side of the handball courts. It's a small playground with a twisty slide, straight slide, and some monkey bars. It also has 2 bench swings. You'll find two fun mini teeter-totters on springs.
The restrooms have been undergoing renovations. Hopefully, they are open now!
Playground between Orange and Prospect
The second playground is between Orange and Prospect. It only has the swings, a spinner, a clubhouse, and an interactive musical panel. This one has 2 baby swings and 2 bench swings.
No restrooms at this middle playground, but it is nice for picnics.
Playground at Orange Street and Seashore
The last playground you will hit coming from the south is off Orange Street. It is probably the most popular of the three options. This one was updated in 2023. It used to have a couple of baby swings, but now has 4 bench swings.
I've always wanted to try the deli across the street, too. Let me know how it is, if you go!
Walk one block across Seashore from the park and you're at the beaches off 57th Street up to Summit Street -- so you can bring sand toys and dip your toes in the ocean.
Be Aware:
- Pretty loud with street noise from PCH
- There are some fall spots on the 3rd playground with the bridges and climbers.
- Very near busy streets at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway at the 3rd playground so if you have a little one who doesn't always stay on the playground, then be careful
- Also be aware of bicyclists when driving Seashore since a good portion of it also serves as a major bike path
- Parking could be an issue since it's close to the beach, but there were tons of spaces open when we visited. You'll need to pay for parking in the lots, but it's easy via a parking app.
Checklist:
- Parking in dedicated lots or along Seashore Drive
- Play surface: All recycled rubber at Playground #2. Recycled rubber and sand at Playgrounds #1 and #3.
- Restrooms located at Playground #1 and Playground #3.
- Handball courts, basketball courts, and tennis courts at the far end of the park by Playground #1 (near Seashore and 58th Street)
- Benches for watching the kiddos and picnic tables in the shade
- Official City of Newport Beach website
- Nearest public library branch: Balboa Branch or Mariner's Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library system
Nearby parks:
Originally published in August 2011.
