12th longest ocean pier in California. Length is Open 6 a.m. to midnight. Length = 1,322 feet. Fishing is free. Wash basins, bench seats, periscopes, restaurant.

Newport Beach, Calif.--Newport Pier was established in 1891 and for over 100 years, fishermen and women have enjoyed the pier's vantage point where you can see Catalina Island in the distance, the Balboa Peninsula to the south, and Huntington Beach AES power plant to the north.

One of the favorite activities for those seeking to relax, the Newport Pier provides many R&R attractions such as its seat benches for watching the waves roll in and out, and periscopes to see migrating whales up close.

From the view in the photo you can see houses that line the beach along the Newport Peninsula to the south. North of Newport Pier the homes are primarily rentals. The rentals thin out to the south, and eventually home-owners living in their houses become the prominent Newport residents past the other visible pier, Balboa Pier. The peninsula dead-ends at The Wedge, a turbulent spot where waves hit the jetty entrance and exit to Newport Harbor.

Newport Pier is easy to stroll with parking at the base of the pier. It costs around $0.25 for 10 minutes of parking (bring lots of coins).

Beach hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Pier open 5 a.m. till midnight.

Dog policy: Dogs are permitted on the beach from 6 a.m. to 8:59 a.m. & 5:01 p.m. to 10 p.m.