Little Corona del Mar Tide Pools

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Little Corona del Mar Tide Pools

Photo: Orange County Archives · CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

🏖️ Beach · Newport Beach

2.5 hours · Free · No reservation needed

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 1.0
1–3 yrs
★ 3.0
3–5 yrs
★ 3.0
5–10 yrs
★ 5.0
  • 🚗
    About 60 min drive
    From Arcadia · Parking: Free street parking on Poppy Ave and the surrounding neighborhood, hard to find after 9am on weekends; or the Corona del Mar State Beach lot (paid)
  • 🎒
    Carrier recommended
    Terrain isn't stroller-friendly; a carrier is easier
  • 🌳
    Little shade
    Great on sunny days · Good on cool days · Wind-OK
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 2.5 hours
    Best seasons: Winter · Spring · Fall

The best family tide pools in Orange County: a ramp from Poppy Ave leads down to a small cove enclosed by rocks, and at low tide the pools between them are full of anemones, hermit crabs and the occasional starfish, with the famous Arch Rock in the distance.

💡 Tips
Only go on negative-tide days and times; check the NOAA tide tables ahead. The rocks are slippery, so wear grippy water shoes and hold tight to kids under 3. It is a protected area, so nothing living and no shells leave with you.

What this place offers

✓tide pools
✓starfish
✓rocks
✓arch rock
✓small cove
✓low tide
✓basic restrooms

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Newport Beach

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

☁️
Sat 10/17
Overcast · 72–92°F · 2% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 74–85°F · 0% rain

Location

Newport Beach, California

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