Fishing area guide
Balboa Pier and Beach
Newport Beach, Orange County, CA
Overview
Balboa Pier sits near the end of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, beside Balboa Village. The Newport Bay Investment Company built it in 1906, alongside the Balboa Pavilion, to draw lot buyers to the peninsula as the Pacific Electric Red Car line opened its southern terminus. Severe El Niño storms in 1998 partially collapsed one corner, and the wooden posts were later reinforced with steel sheathing and braces.
Who comes here
The pier is a popular fishing spot, mainly for mackerel and halibut, and the sand on either side makes a classic family beach day. A restaurant operates on the pier. The area near the pier is one of only two places in Newport Beach with public fire rings and barbecues, the other being Corona del Mar State Beach. The City's Junior Lifeguard headquarters is nearby at 901 East Ocean Front.
Hours and conditions
The pier is open 5 a.m. to midnight, and the beach is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. City lifeguards cover the ocean beaches every day of the year. Fishing from the pier doesn't need a license under state rules, but size and bag limits still apply.
Parking
The big Balboa Pier lot off Palm Street has 614 spaces and is open 24 hours a day, with higher rates from May to September. Smaller metered lots nearby have shorter time limits.
Getting there & access
Balboa Pier lot
The main lot is off Palm Street between Palm and Main, at Palm St & Balboa Blvd. It has 614 spaces, including 12 disabled spaces and 10 bus-only spaces, and is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Car rates are $4.50/hour or $45.35/day from May to September, $3.10/hour or $30.85/day from October to April, and $6.20/hour or $62.20/day on holidays. The maximum stay is 7 days, and no overnight camping or sleeping is allowed.
Smaller nearby lots
The Palm Lot (608 E. Balboa Blvd, 60 spaces, 2-hour limit), A Street Lot (58 Main St, 58 spaces) and B Street Lot (926 E. Oceanfront, 40 spaces) charge $4.50/hour from May to September and $1.55/hour from October to April. The East Ocean Front lot at 105 Palm St is partly closed until September 2027.
Paying and questions
Pay at the station or with the ParkMobile app, and check the posted signs because rules vary by lot. Parking questions and refunds go to Laz Parking at (949) 524-8915.
Amenities
- Pier fishing — Public pier open 5 a.m. to midnight; no fishing license needed
- Fire rings — Near the Balboa Pier, first-come, first-served
- Public barbecues — Near the pier, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., first-come, first-served
- Restrooms — Public restrooms at the base of the pier
- Restaurant — A restaurant operates on the pier; hours vary
- Junior Lifeguard headquarters — 901 East Ocean Front, near the pier
- Parking — 614-space Balboa Pier lot, open 24 hours
Rules & official resources
- Ocean and bay beaches are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Balboa Pier is open 5 a.m. to midnight
- Dogs aren't allowed on beaches or beachfront sidewalks from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; at other times they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet
- No glass containers or alcohol on the beach
- No smoking on the beach, in picnic areas or in parking lots
- No portable barbecues on City beaches; use the public fire rings and barbecues near the pier
- No fishing license is needed on a public pier in ocean or bay waters, but minimum sizes, bag limits and seasons still apply
- Balboa Pier lot: 7-day maximum stay, and no overnight camping or sleeping
Common boat service needs here
Boats kept in Newport Harbor
Balboa Village fronts Newport Harbor on the bay side of the peninsula. Boats kept there pick up salt spray and sun damage, so regular washdowns and detailing are a common need.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
- newportbeachca.gov
- newportbeachca.gov
- newportbeachca.gov
- newportbeachca.gov
- wildlife.ca.gov
- en.wikipedia.org
Last verified October 8, 2026