East Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar / Spyglass

Corona del Mar is the name of a neighborhood in the southern part of Newport Beach. This area has such a distinct character that most people assume it’s a separate town. East Coast Highway is the main business street in Corona del Mar. It’s actually a continuation of Pacific Coast Highway, but for some unknown reason it’s renamed in this part of Newport Beach.

Corona del Mar (Spanish for “Crown of the Sea”) begins at MacArthur Blvd. East Coast Highway narrows from three lanes in each direction to two. Small shops and restaurants line each side of the street, creating a small village atmosphere. Unlike Pacific Coast Highway in other parts of Newport, this area is heavily traveled by pedestrians. One of the highlights of East Coast Highway is Sherman Library and Gardens, a privately-maintained botanical garden that is open to the public.

Streets filled with charming houses and condos branch off of East Coast Highway. Most people who visit Corona del Mar are attracted by the quiet, well-tended neighborhoods and see it as a perfect place to live. It has much of the same charm as Laguna Beach, which is located just a few miles south, but is on a smaller scale. Corona del Mar also benefits from the proximity of high-end shopping at Fashion Island and easy freeway access via MacArthur Blvd. All of this perfection comes with a steep price tag, with a median home price of over $1 million.

Corona del Mar State Beach is within walking distance of East Coast Highway. Tall cliffs with magnificent views lead down to the beach, which includes tide pools and a rock jetty. Both the beach and neighborhood of Corona del Mar are deserving of the name “Crown of the Sea.”