Newport Dunes Waterfront Playground is a pirate ship and whale themed play structure and protected swimming cove in Newport Beach, California.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina, Newport Beach, CA
Hours: Monday-Sunday (8AM-7PM)
Restrooms? Yes, public restrooms are located a short walk from the playground and include beach showers.
Playground Surface: Sand
Parking Lot? Yes, there is a huge, paid parking lot. Prices are steep and start at $15 for 30 minutes-2 hours and go up from there.
Gated/Fenced? No
Overview
The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina in Newport Beach is a fantastic place for families to spend a day or a few nights. Some of the many highlights of this area are a RV Park, cottages, and lots of areas to camp. This area is also home to an “Inflatable Aquatic Park” in the summer. Tons of other water activities, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, pedal boats, and boating are popular here as well. The pirate ship playground, along with the big blue whale, is sure to attract the younger kids.
A fantastic, protected, shallow swimming area sits just in front of the playground. While there is no fee to enter, parking can be a bit pricey. Regardless of whether you spend a weekend or just a day, families will find tons to enjoy and are sure to have a great time.
Features
Pirate Ship Play Structure for kids ages 2-12 years old
- 1 slide, 2 tunnel crawlers, and climbing net
- 2 baby (bucket) swings and 2 bench swings
- Arched ring ladder climber, circle ring ladder climber, monkey bars, and small rock climbing wall
- Concrete whale structure
- Oversized Newport Dunes beach chair
Protected, Calm Swimming Area In Front of Play Structure
- Great swimming area within 15 yards of the playground. Calm and shallow waters.
Scout’s Story
As we are nearing one year of our 3 year old daughter, Scout, being in remission, we are also getting ready to take Scout back home, to visit Hawai’i for her first time. As we count down the days until we leave, we are also eager to fit in as many fun activities as we can until then. This week we found out that Scout’s grandparents (my wife’s parents) would be visiting from Arizona. We were excited to make the drive to stay in an AirBnb in Newport Beach with them. After work, I made a late night drive towards Newport to meet up with everyone already having gotten there earlier in the day.
The following day, I found out that my mother-in-law had planned a relaxing spa day for her and my wife. The plan would be for Scout to spend the afternoon with me and grandpa. With no plans in mind, I looked at my Microsoft Word documents to come up with a few things to do nearby.
Scout’s Day at Newport Dunes Waterfront Playground
After a stop at the fabulous Marina Park, we made the short drive to the Newport Dunes Waterfront Playground. Upon arriving, we were a little confused about where to park and turned around in the paid parking lot, not wanting to pay the $15 (30 min-2 hr) parking fee. After exiting the parking lot, we found some free street parking just outside of the gated area and then walked in. Street parking is very limited and nearly impossible to come by during the busy summer months.
After parking, Scout, Grandpa, and I made the short walk through the gated parking area and onto the beach. This area is phenomenal for swimming for younger kids, as the cove is calm and protected and an ideal spot for those still new to the water. Scout spotted the water from a mile away and was enthusiastically eager to get in. Water activities are something that we always thoroughly enjoy and don’t take for granted. A year ago at this time, Scout was still in active treatment and living with a central line in her chest, preventing her from any water activities whatsoever. Scout’s central line was removed last June and she now jumps at any chance to get wet or play in the water.
Swimming in the Calm Waters of Newport Dunes Waterfront Park
Scout didn’t seem to care about the playground even in the slightest and grabbed my arm, begging to go to the water.
We made our way into the calm, shallow waters and Scout didn’t seem to care at all about the cold water temperature. I spun Scout in circles through the water time and time again as Grandpa looked on. Scout would attempt to run away from me and took multiple spills in the water. She would act scared as she would hit the water, followed by me helping her up, as she would run and do it again.
After quite some time in the water, Scout signaled to me that she had to use the restroom. I took this opportunity to get her shivering body out of the water and back up towards the playground.
Being the unprepared dad of the day, I didn’t bring a towel or change of clothes, so I decided to let Scout dry off in the sun while she played on the playground. The pirate ship playground is really neat but quite small. Scout spent a short time crawling through the tunnel crawlers before making her way to check out the huge whale concrete structure.
After playing and saying hi to the whale, Scout asked Grandpa to push her in the baby swing. She ordered Grandpa to push her fast and then “super fast” over and over again.
With a few other things planned for the day, we decided to make our way out. I was expecting a temper tantrum as Scout kept yelling and telling me she wanted to go back in the water. After promising her a lollipop if she ate lunch, Scout reluctantly but calmly followed Grandpa and I to the car after a phenomenal morning.
Getting to Newport Dunes Waterfront Playground
Street parking is nearly impossible to come by during the busy summer months and visitors will need to use the paid parking lot. Regardless of where you park, head through the parking lot, towards multiple beach access paths and this will lead to the swimming area and playground.
Street Parking
Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
