Dawn patrol surfing in Newport Beach

Newport Beach, California

Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.

First light in Newport Beach means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 9 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

6:44 AM
First Light: 6:14 AM

Day length: 12h 26m

+2 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

6:44 AM

First light: 6:14 AM

Sunset

7:10 PM

Last light: 7:40 PM

Data from 52nd Street · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

Today(Today)

Sunrise

6:44 AM

Sunset

7:10 PM

Day Length

12h 26m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

6:43 AM

Sunset

7:11 PM

Day Length

12h 28m

Wed, Apr 1

Sunrise

6:41 AM

Sunset

7:12 PM

Day Length

12h 31m

Thu, Apr 2

Sunrise

6:40 AM

Sunset

7:13 PM

Day Length

12h 33m

Fri, Apr 3

Sunrise

6:39 AM

Sunset

7:13 PM

Day Length

12h 35m

Best dawn patrol spots in Newport Beach

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Featured Beaches(9)

52nd Street

Intermediate

Just north of 54th, 52nd Street serves up slightly bigger, more walled waves that require quick take-offs. The sandy bottom and jetty setup create long walls that are great for experienced surfers who like to race down the line. It works at mid tide and tends to close out on lower tides.

54th Street

Intermediate

Newport's 54th Street is a high-performance beach break created by man-made jetties. It offers peaky lefts and rights over a sandy bottom and attracts some of the best local surfers. The wave works on most tides but is best at mid tide and can get very crowded.

Corona del Mar

Beginner friendly

Beachbreak near 15th Street and the river mouth with peaks that work best on SSW/WNW combo swells. Mid tide provides the best shape. When the river is flowing, peaks can get rippy. The river mouth creates a strong rip that can be turbo on big tide swings. Parking via meters and neighborhood streets.

Newport 56th St

Beginner friendly

Newport 56th St is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Newport Lower Jetties

Beginner friendly

Newport Lower Jetties is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Newport Point

Intermediate

Newport Point breaks only on hurricane swells with specific southeast component (160-190°, center 175°), rated 9/10 when working but extremely rare.

Newport Upper Jetties

Beginner friendly

Newport Upper Jetties is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

River Jetties

Beginner friendly

River Jetties is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

The Wedge

Intermediate to expert

The Wedge represents surfing's most dangerous shorebreak, rated 10/10 for uniqueness. The jetty-reflected south swell (180-220°, center 200°) creates constructive interference producing 20-30+ foot waves detonating in 2-3 feet of water.

Dawn patrol access guide for Newport Beach

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

52nd Street
beach
intermediate

Just north of 54th, 52nd Street serves up slightly bigger, more walled waves that require quick take-offs. The sandy bottom and jetty setup create long walls that are great for experienced surfers who like to race down the line. It works at mid tide and tends to close out on lower tides.

Early access

Access via public beach paths; cross the jetty carefully and watch for incoming sets.

Parking

Park along Seashore Drive or Balboa Boulevard; the closer you get to 52nd the busier it gets.

54th Street
beach
lower-intermediate

Newport's 54th Street is a high-performance beach break created by man-made jetties. It offers peaky lefts and rights over a sandy bottom and attracts some of the best local surfers. The wave works on most tides but is best at mid tide and can get very crowded.

Early access

Easy beach access down the jetties or through public walkways. Watch for slippery rocks when crossing the jetty.

Parking

Parking along Seashore Drive and side streets; arrive early, especially during summer and weekends.

Corona del Mar
jetty/beach
beginner-intermediate
3.1(15)

Beachbreak near 15th Street and the river mouth with peaks that work best on SSW/WNW combo swells. Mid tide provides the best shape. When the river is flowing, peaks can get rippy. The river mouth creates a strong rip that can be turbo on big tide swings. Parking via meters and neighborhood streets.

Parking

15th St meters + neighborhood shuffle

Newport 56th St
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.7(3)

Newport 56th St is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Newport Lower Jetties
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.9(17)

Newport Lower Jetties is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Newport Point
point
intermediate
4.0(13)

**Newport Point** breaks only on hurricane swells with specific southeast component (160-190°, center 175°), rated 9/10 when working but extremely rare.

Newport Upper Jetties
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.6(21)

Newport Upper Jetties is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

River Jetties
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.6(14)

River Jetties is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

The Wedge
beach
expert
3.9(13)

**The Wedge** represents surfing's most dangerous shorebreak, rated 10/10 for uniqueness. The jetty-reflected south swell (180-220°, center 200°) creates constructive interference producing 20-30+ foot waves detonating in 2-3 feet of water.

Dawn patrol tips

  • Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
  • Less crowded lineups at sunrise
  • East-facing beaches for sunrise views
  • Spots with easy parking for early arrivals

Surf Guides for Newport Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Newport Beach

Dawn patrol in Newport Beach typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

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