Newport Upper Jetties

Newport Upper Jetties is a sand-bottom beach break at the mouth of the Santa Ana River that wraps around jetty structures, with peaks that break both left and right. The waves are snappy and punchy on smaller days but can develop hollow sections when offshore winds align cleanly, working from 4 feet up to 8 feet or more on larger swells. It favors south to southwest swell energy and north to northeast winds, with an incoming or rising tide generally producing better-shaped peaks. The break requires intermediate skill—some sections favor beginners on smaller days while other peaks demand more experience, especially in the steeper, more powerful sections typical of upper jetties.

The area's modern surf history is inseparable from jetty construction in 1936, which was initially driven by coastal engineering needs following a boating accident. Before the jetties were built, Corona del Mar just south of here was considered the mainland's premier natural wave, even hosting the first national surfing championship in 1928 and drawing visits from surfing pioneers like Duke Kahanamoku. The jetty system fundamentally reshaped the shoreline's hydrology and broke the wave patterns, though it created new peaks including the famous Wedge to the south. Newport's jetties remain a reliable alternative to the inconsistent natural breaks that preceded them.

Access is from street parking near the Santa Ana River mouth—arriving early is important as the lot fills quickly. Walk-on access is also possible from the Huntington Beach State Beach parking area north of Brookhurst, or use metered street parking while checking local street-sweeping schedules. Strong rips and currents are hazards, and the sandbars shift frequently, creating unpredictable shape changes. Pollution from stormwater runoff after heavy rain is common, making the break less appealing immediately after storms.