Getting up close to the wild, wicked Wedge in Newport Beach will get easier.
A plan for a concrete pathway that leads closer to the water’s edge earned California Coastal Commission approval recently, with conditions that the city submit more detailed designs for the plan before moving forward.
“The community has been asking for this for a while,” said city spokesperson John Pope.
The Wedge is one of the most iconic, heavily visited surf zones in Southern California. When a bombing south swell brings building-size waves upward 20 feet, people line the sand to watch in awe.
When designs for a path to the water’s edge are completed, the city will vote on a construction contract — expected later this year, with hopes the pathway can be completed in 2026.
While the state commission is often reluctant to approve concrete structures on the beach, the popularity of the Wedge and the need for better coastal access proved to be important factors for approval, Pope said.
The project’s proposed location is next to the West Jetty View Park and north of the West Jetty entrance to the Newport Harbor.
The surf break was born when the stone jetty was extended back in 1936. Today it is a unique place that draws bodysurfers, bodyboarders, surfers and thousands of spectators each year “making it both a recreational and cultural landmark,” state commission staffers said in a report.
A current pathway stops short of allowing people with wheelchairs to get close to the action.
In addition to the lure of big-wave enthusiasts, it is also a popular spot that allows for sunbathing, beach walking and family outings, state officials said.
“The wide, sandy expanse offers panoramic views of the ocean, jetty, and the open beach area is popular year-round for its scenery and coastal experience, even when the surf conditions are not favorable,” they said. “Although the site lacks built amenities such as restrooms or showers, its relative seclusion and natural setting make it a favored spot for locals and visitors alike.”
The city started looking into improved accessible beach access at the location following repeated public requests, Pope said.
The project has been designed to avoid impacts to the nearby seasonally protected Western Snowy Plover roosting area.
“The project has been carefully designed to avoid any disturbance to this habitat while enhancing equitable public access to one of Newport Beach’s most scenic and well-loved beaches,” state officials said.
The pathway will be up to 9 feet in width and about 200 feet in length, for a total of 1,505 square feet.