Beach fees could rise in Newport

Lolita Harper

NEWPORT BEACH -- The City Council tonight will consider raising beach

parking rates for the first time in more than a decade, citing a

trend in increased fees at surrounding beaches that tends to

overcrowd Newport.

Tom Rossmiller, the city’s harbor resources manager, said the

city’s beaches should expect an increase in vehicle traffic this

summer because most of the surrounding beaches will raise their

parking rates.

Effective July 1, most area beaches will raise their rates due to

budget constraints. This will be particularly true at state beaches

because of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s large cuts to California

state parks across the board.

Huntington Beach’s city beach will charge $9 on weekdays and $12

on weekends. Bolsa Chica and Huntington state beaches will cost $12

and Crystal Cove State Park will be $10, according to a staff report.

Newport Beach officials have suggested an $8 maximum rate for

automobiles at Balboa and a $10 maximum at Corona del Mar.

By comparison, the Staples Center parking lot costs $8,

Disneyland’s runs about the same and the Orange County Fair will dent

your wallet about $5.

It seems Orange County’s coastline is even more of an attraction

than an “the happiest place on Earth” or NBA basketball -- beachgoers

said they would pay the increased parking fees because they are not

willing to give up the smell of saltwater in the air.

“Yeah, it’s gonna be more expensive but, hey, you know, sometimes

that just happens,” said Jimmy Moreno of La Puente.

Moreno, 27, who had just parked his black Ford 150 at Balboa

beach, said he would not pass on an opportunity to spend his day off

on the sand. With gas prices going through the roof, his beach trip

costs have already been raised, but it’s worth it, he said.

“Where else can you just chill like this?” he asked.

Robin Dunbar of La Mirada, who was also at Balboa, said she was

saddened to hear of the possible increase in parking rates but said

it would not deter her from bringing her three children -- and their

friends -- to the beach.

“It’s just a shame that everything, including things like visiting

public land and the beach, is so expensive now,” Dunbar said.

Rossmiller said parking fees at Balboa and Corona del Mar beaches

have not changed since 1992 and were due for an increase.

Summer rates at Corona del Mar and Balboa beaches have been $7 and

$6, respectively, since 1992, according to a staff report. In 2002-03

both beaches combined for 326,573 vehicles and $1,482,684 in parking

fee revenue, the report stated.

The council will vote on the fee increase at 7 p.m. tonight in

Newport Beach City Council Chambers at 3300 Newport Blvd.

* LOLITA HARPER is the enterprise and investigative reporter for

the Daily Pilot. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or by e-mail at

[email protected].