News Summary
The Newport Beach Planning Commission has approved the Snug Harbor Surf Park, which includes a new wave pool and various recreational facilities. The project aims to enhance local recreational options while generating significant daily traffic. Despite the approval, community concern persists over the impact on the iconic Newport Beach Golf Course. The City Council will make the final decision on the project later this month.
Newport Beach – The Newport Beach Planning Commission has granted unanimous approval for the Snug Harbor Surf Park proposal, a major development project that will introduce a new wave pool to the area. The commission’s decision, made on September 4, includes the acceptance of an environmental impact report and a conditional use permit, clearing a significant hurdle ahead of a pending vote by the City Council scheduled for October 28.
The proposed wave pool aims to transform the middle section of the Newport Beach Golf Course, affecting three holes, the driving range, a restaurant, bar, and pro shop. Located near John Wayne Airport, the project is poised to change the landscape of recreational activities in Newport Beach.
The development plans include a three-story, 50-foot-tall main building that will house a surf academy, shop, restaurant, fitness and yoga area, and office space, including a VIP music recording studio. Additionally, there will be a 40-foot, two-story building consisting of 20 accommodation rooms designed for athletes.
According to city officials, the project is projected to generate approximately 1,996 daily trips, with an expected 1,400 visitors per day. The wave pool itself will feature two basins totaling 5.1 million gallons and is expected to use 28 million gallons of water annually, while returning 15 million gallons back to the Orange County Water District water supply.
Construction of the Snug Harbor Surf Park is anticipated to last around 18 months and will utilize energy-efficient Wavegarden technology. The project plans to incorporate solar panels, which are expected to generate nearly half of the energy required for wave making and circulation.
In addition to serving surfers and recreational users, the facility aims to offer community benefits, including programs for kids’ camps, support for local high school surf teams, and training facilities for first responders. To ensure safety, the facility will employ eight lifeguards, with a quick response time of approximately 25 seconds from a control tower.
Planning Commissioner Mark Rosene acknowledged the project’s intent to retain portions of the existing golf course while adding a new recreational option for the community. The proposal will now advance to the City Council, where officials will deliberate on overriding the Airport Land Use Commission’s inconsistent land use finding that was issued on August 7, and will decide whether to certify the environmental impact report associated with the project.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Register: Proposed Wave Pool in Newport Beach
- Wikipedia: Newport Beach, California
- Surfer: Newport Beach Snug Harbor Wave Pool
- Google Search: Newport Beach wave pool
- Los Angeles Times: Proposed Snug Harbor Surf Park
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wave Pools
- Google News: Newport Beach surf park
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
