Least crowded surf spots in Newport Beach

Newport Beach, California

Updated February 10, 2026 at 8:50 PM · Dialed recommendations refresh every 30 minutes based on tide, wind, and crowd telemetry from Quiver.

When Newport Beach lineups stack up, knowing a backup changes everything. These 9 breaks range from tucked-away reef passes to underrated sandbars that stay empty even on weekend south pulses.

Top spot recommendations

Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.

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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

No description available.

Newport Lower Jetties

Beginner friendly

No description available.

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

No description available.

River Jetties

Beginner friendly

No description available.

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.

What to focus on today

  • Secondary peaks and tide windows that thin crowds
  • Parking tricks and walk-in trails most visitors skip
  • Forecast cues that trigger locals-only surges
  • Nearby alternates when the primary target turns into a zoo

Session logging tips

Once you wrap the surf, drop a note in your Quiver journal with tide, board, and crowd observations. Over time you'll see crystal-clear patterns about when Newport Beach rewards this type of session objective.

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