Newport Beach Historic Summers

Written by Jennifer Keil, M.A. in History, 70 Degrees Founder

Red Car at Balboa Pavilion, circa 1906.

Newport Beach summer visitors grew steadily after the Pacific Electric Railway connected the city to Los Angeles on July 4th, 1906. 2026 will mark the 120th anniversary of the Red Car and Pavilion. The Red Car made it accessible for Angelenos to stay in small beach cottages, cabanas, and the Balboa Hotel. The Newport Pier, originally McFadden Wharf, became a popular hub of summer activity with commercial fishing and swimming.

The Rise of the Summer Playground

By the 1920s and '30s, Newport Beach had established itself as a summer playground. The Newport Harbor was dredged and developed to create one of the largest recreational boat harbors in the West Coast. Summer traditions began to take hold. The Balboa Pavilion was built in 1906. It hosted dances and events and became a center of summer life. The Balboa Fun Zone opened in 1936. It offered amusement rides and arcades to generations of visitors. 

Newport Beach Boaters, circa 1950s

Surf Culture and the Post-War Boom

After World War II, Newport Beach had a surge in population with service members living here full-time since the military bases are nearby. The 1950s and '60s brought a surf explosion. The Wedge, a powerful surf break at the tip of the Balboa Peninsula, became a mecca for thrill-seeking body surfers and surfers. The surf culture was captured by movies, music, and the rise of beach fashion. Summer regattas at the yacht clubs add to the city’s coastal charm.

Donn of Tiki Film

Today, Newport Beach summers are a combination of timeless traditions and modern luxury. Join the Newport Beach Historical Society for our summer series. We will host Newport Beach Tiki-themed events with the Donn of Tiki film screening with the producer on August 13th at the Lido Theater. We will have David "Dr. Skipper" Marley share about Disneyland Jungle Cruise and local history on September 4th at the Balboa Pavilion. Tickets are available on our website, newportbeachhistorical.org. A portion of this purchase is tax-deductible. 

David "Dr. Skipper" Marley 

The Newport Beach Historical Society connects people  –  past, present and future. NBHS collects, inspires, educates, preserves and protects the unique and vibrant history of the City of Newport Beach. This includes Balboa, Corona del Mar, Newport Harbor, its islands and offshore, the Back Bay, Newport Coast and Newport Mesa. The Newport Beach Historical Society was formed in 1967. It was incorporated as a non-profit 501c3 corporation on December 2014. Learn more at newportbeachhistorical.org and become a member today! Visit our museum at the Fun Zone. Become a volunteer and share the story of Newport Beach!

Thank you to Laurie Horn for her featured article in Spyglass Hill Magazine.