4th Of July 2009 Info For Newport Beach & The Balboa Peninsula

It’s my first 4th Of July back in the United States for over a decade, and I’m really looking forward to it. But a Newport Beach Fourth Of July on the Balboa Peninsula is something special. There’s the bike parade, the huge crowds expected at the beach plus street closures, special party fines and other efforts to prevent riots from breaking out. Exciting! Below, a look at what to expect, especially for those coming into the area.

NOTE: Now that the 4th has passed, I’ve posted some video clips to give you a sense of the day. Much of the information below is also applicable to next year and Newport in general.

This Newport Beach 4th Of July video shows how things were in the day:

This Newport Beach July 4 video shows how things were in the evening (complete with cheesy music courtesy of my Flip video’s camera software):

Getting Here

Other than by water, there are only two ways to reach the Balboa Peninsula. You come down either Balboa Boulevard or Newport Boulevard. On a busy weekend, either is crowded. On the 4th of July, they’ll be a nightmare — and one will be partially closed.

The map below (in orange) shows how Balboa Blvd will be shut down to vehicles from Noon on the 4th through “early morning hours” on the 5th, says the Newport Beach Police Department:
View Newport Beach 4th Of July Street Closures in a larger map

Also closed (and shown on the map in orange) are all the numbered streets within what’s commonly known to locals as “The Party Zone” and Seashore Drive. Residents are “recommended” not to try and leave or enter the area with their vehicles and will be “prevented” should they attempt to do so, except for rare exceptions based on “emergency need.”

Heck, I’m not even in the closure area, but I’m not planning to try and drive anywhere. The peninsula’s going to be heaving.

The main route into Balboa will be Newport Blvd, as I’ve also shown on the map with a green arrow. Getting even to that entrance point is tough. Many people come down the 55 Freeway, which can backup for a mile or two easy, where the freeway ends. I’ve shown this on the map below in red (this is the same map as above, and further down, just zoomed out):
View Newport Beach 4th Of July Street Closures in a larger map

Right alongside the freeway is the northern part of Newport Blvd. You can exit onto the street and get past the freeway backup, but eventually you’ll still end up at the same choke point. Harbor Blvd is often a better alternative. Still, when you get to the “Triangle Square” area shown in blue, you’re going to face delays. The early you leave in the morning, the less congestion you’ll face. I’m talking 7 or 8am.

Parking

Made it onto the peninsula? Now you’ve got to park. Parking on a regular summer weekend is hard enough. For the 4th Of July? Well, good luck.

The city operates a variety of lots, the largest being at the Newport Beach pier and then an even bigger one at the Balboa Pier. Expect that the Newport Pier lot will fill quickly. Getting into the line to cruise that lot can easily waste an hour of your time. Balboa has more space, but it will also fill quickly. There’s also street parking, both metered (yes, even on holidays) and in neighborhoods. Spaces will be at a premium, especially as many residents will move cars out of their garages so that visitors coming down have a place to park. As with everything, the earlier you arrive, the better. You’ll find an interactive map of city parking area here, and more info on rates here.

In addition to city parking, various store owners and places with vacant lots will sell spaces. You’ll find these as you travel down Newport Blvd. I can’t find a list of such places anywhere, much less a way to make reservations. Expect to pay $50 or much more upward. Apparently, some private residents might also sell their garage spaces for a day through Craigslist.

Public Transport

How about a shuttle service? Yeah, we don’t have that in Newport, for the Fourth. There’s no Park-n-Ride or anything similar that the city offers. You can take the bus, of course. OCTA routes 71 and 47 run down to the peninsula. Route 47 can’t go the normal distance, however, as it runs into the street closure area. Route 71 goes all the way down to the Balboa Pier area, but you can expect it will get stalled in traffic often on the way. Still, you could always park your car outside Newport, say in many places in Costa Mesa along the bus routes, then take them further down. You’ll find the routes and schedules here on the OCTA site.

Necessities

Assuming you make it, you’ll find plenty of stores ready to sell you whatever you forgot. There’s an Albertson’s supermarket on 32nd St — a Vons Pavillions just across the street from that — plus any number of smaller businesses near both the Newport Beach and Balboa piers. You can get everything from food to drink to sunscreen to beach umbrellas.

What To Do?

Ready to celebrate? There’s plenty of beach, and even on the busiest days, there seems to always be a spot for people. The beach is extremely wide north of 54th Street — which is also north of the party zone. It’s also very wide between the Newport and Balboa piers. Around 15th Street (marked on the map), you have an oasis of bathrooms, a grassy area bordered by a playground, plus a cafe and a small market.

Down by the Balboa Pier, you have tons of places to eat, the big Peninsula Park, the nearby Balboa Fun Zone with arcade games, boat rentals, places to eat. By Newport Pier, many more businesses and an endless supply of bars. You’ll find some of these places I’ve mentioned marked on the map:
View Newport Beach 4th Of July Street Closures in a larger map

Speaking of bars, Malarky’s has typically done a 4th of July bike parade down the Balboa Boardwalk. I’m assuming that’s on again. I should have more details to post tomorrow.

If you like parades, there’s also the “Old Glory Boat Parade 2009″ happening, sponsored by the American Legion Yacht Club. It starts around 1pm and goes around the entire inner harbor, so there are plenty of places to watch it at. You can find the route map and more info here.

There’s also an official city parade, but that’s happening off the peninsula. It runs in conjunction with a carnival at Mariners Park. The parade starts at 9:15am at the corner of Mariners Drive and Santiago. Unfortunately, the exact route isn’t listed on the backing group’s web site. But there is more information about the carnival there.

Back to bikes, there are plenty of places to rent them, but expect the boardwalk to be extremely crowded. There are a number of safety measures that have been stepped up in recent weeks (see Making The Balboa Boardwalk Safer). Just keep a close eye on any kids and remember traffic moves in both ways on the boardwalk. Be aware of your surroundings.

Fireworks Viewing

What’s the Fourth Of July without fireworks? Newport Beach — because they’re not allowed. Neighboring Costa Mesa sells them, but bring them into Newport, and you risk an expensive ticket.

Well, how about a public display? Typically, none have been visible from the beach-side of the peninsula. And to see them looking inland, you’ve normally had to be on a rooftop deck.

The closest public display will be at Newport Dunes, lighting off at 9pm, the city says. I’ve marked the area on the map.

Up at neighboring Huntington Beach, the city’s got three days of celebrations happening, a parade, a festival — maybe I should move! You’ll find more info here. I mention Huntington because at 9pm, the city will shoot fireworks off the end of its pier, according to the city. Those may be viewable from the beach side of Balboa. Sadly, Newport doesn’t do the same off either of its two piers. Maybe some day.

The map below marks locations of both fireworks displays with stars:
View Newport Beach 4th Of July Street Closures in a larger map

Party! (And Potentially Get Arrested!)

Naturally, people will be coming to Newport to party. And party hard, as tradition goes. Hence Newport’s “Safely Enhancement Zone,” which runs from 12:01am on July 4th through 3am July 5. This covers much of West Newport and allows the police to issue tickets at triple the normal fine amount. I’ve shown the area on the map (that lighter orange-yellowish color that encloses the road closure area):
View Newport Beach 4th Of July Street Closures in a larger map

You’ll know you’re in the area in part because of all the big signs they’ve put up, that my wife’s blogged about in her 4th July in Newport Beach post:

You’ll especially know you’re in a heavily patrolled area because, well, there are 200 police from Newport, the California Highway Patrol and elsewhere in Orange County that will be walking around (4 per block, the police say, in some parts of Balboa). And they’ll easily spot troublemakers in some area because of huge floodlights that have been installed, to turn the night into day. Pretty much, the same areas closed to traffic — the party zone — will be the area most heavily policed.

Don’t mess with the police. Seriously, don’t even joke with them. After two run-ins with Newport cops (one on a traffic stop, the other with an officer who ran a stop sign and objected to being questioned about it), I’ve found they have a serious attitude problem even in situations when they’re not particularly stressed. But hey, maybe I’ve just encountered two bad apples. Nevertheless, the 4th is a “target rich” environment where people are going to be seriously getting out of control — and the police will have a hell of a job trying to keep order. Do anything remotely wrong, and there’s  a good chance you’ll get ticketed or arrested.

Avoiding Trouble

NBPD notes that last year, 83% of those getting tickets were from out of the area with the biggest problems being:

Drinking in public, public intoxication, fighting, uncontrolled parties, possession of fireworks and igniting them in public. Fireworks are illegal to possess in the City of Newport Beach despite their sale in nearby cities.

The police also have a flyer they’ve given out to some residents and that I’ve seen posted in a few stores. You can read the entire thing here (PDF), but the key highlights, for those wanting to stay out of trouble:

POSSESSION OR USE OF ALL FIREWORKS IS ILLEGAL IN NEWPORT BEACH

This includes “safe and sane” fireworks such as fountains and sparklers that can be purchased in other cities.

DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN PUBLIC IS PROHIBITED

Possessing or drinking alcoholic beverages on streets, sidewalks, beaches, piers, or other public areas is prohibited. Violators may be cited or arrested.

TRIPLE FINE FOR LOUD OR RAUCOUS PARTIES

Property owners and/or party hosts are responsible for the conduct of their guests. Loud and raucous parties that require a police response can result in an enforcement action that can include a citation or arrest for those present and fines for both property owners and tenants.

WATER BALLOONS, SQUIRT GUNS, GARDEN HOSES

Throwing water balloons or spraying water at pedestrians or vehicles is illegal. Violators are subject to citation or arrest.

There’s also this advice for those having parties:

• Limit the number of guests you invite. Don’t allow strangers to attend uninvited… As the host, you are ultimately responsible for everyone’s conduct while they are attending your party.
• Possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages or consumption of those beverages in public is illegal! Please ensure that no alcoholic beverages leave your property. You are also responsible for ensuring that no minors are consuming alcoholic beverages while at your party.
• Please limit noise and raucous behavior! Keep your stereo volume low and all speakers should remain indoors. Throwing water balloons or spraying water at pedestrians or vehicles is strictly prohibited.
• There will be street closures and severe traffic congestion in the area. In order to prevent inconvenience to your guests, ask them to limit their travel in and out of the West Newport Area.
• Be courteous to your neighbors (as they may be working the next morning), and take your party indoors after dark. Close your doors and windows to prevent loud voices and stereo sound from disturbing them.
• Keep your outdoor lights on — it helps all of us deter criminal activity.

I’m pretty sure the prohibition on alcohol in public does NOT apply to drinking in public on your own property. IE, virtually every house in Newport has a patio where people, not surprisingly, will drink on holidays and on other occasions. Drinking on your own property should be fine (if I can confirm that, I’ll update). But be aware that especially on the boardwalk, it’s very easy to spill out from private property and into a public area. Sitting on a small patio wall with your legs hanging on the “boardwalk” side of a house is probably being in public. Or people who’ve had a lot to drink simply don’t think, walk outside a patio area and boom — that’s a fine waiting to happen.

Newport Beach & Twitter

I’m a big Twitter user, and I expect we’ll have a few others heading to Balboa for the 4th. Want to Twitter your experiences? Just end them with the hashtag of:

#nb4th

Then anyone can track what’s going on in the area, relating to the 4th.

That’s pretty much it. Questions? Leave a comment, and I’ll answer as best I can or seek out further information. Also for some further info on Newport, places to eat, things to see, check out some of my other posts:

• Pita Pit Opens In Newport Beach
• Rollerblading Along The Newport Beach Boardwalk
• The Piers Of Newport Beach Vs. The Pier Of The OC
• The Characters Of The Balboa Peninsula