Newport Scoop
Posts
⚓ 90 years of tradition: The race circling the entire bay this weekend

⚓ 90 years of tradition: The race circling the entire bay this weekend

Also inside: Vital summer rules from NB lifeguards, the new Witte Hall grand opening, and Sherman Gardens' upcoming socials.

July 09, 2026

_{Was this e-mail shared with you?}_{Sign up here}_.

July always feels like peak Newport Beach. The shores are buzzing, the harbor is packed with boats, and every evening seems to come with another excuse to stay outside a little longer. If you've driven down PCH lately, you've probably noticed just how alive the city feels.

This week's stories are a good reminder that while summer is all about fun, it's also powered by a lot of people working behind the scenes to keep it that way. We also rounded up a few of our favorite local happenings, along with an important beach safety reminder that's worth sharing with anyone.

🌊 NB's lifeguards want you to know a few things

The Gist: Newport Beach Fire Department's lifeguard force is at full strength for 2026, with 96 lifeguards assigned to towers, truck patrols, and rescue boats, 53 running the Junior Guards program, and 75 reserves, for a total of 224. In an interview with the Newport Beach Indy, Chief Lifeguard Brian O'Rourke and PIO David Gibson walked through the season's staffing, training, and rescue numbers, and how visitors should be reading the water.

Why It Matters: Newport lifeguards rescued 3,911 people in 2025, and they can pull 50 to 300 people in a single high-surf day. Their three simple rules for the summer: swim near a lifeguard, stay 100 feet from piers and jetties, and if a rip current grabs you, swim parallel to the beach until it releases, then angle back in.

🙏 The city's Fourth of July response deserves a nod

The Gist: On Saturday night, July 4, the Balboa Peninsula saw a large, social media-driven gathering that quickly turned chaotic, with crowd estimates running into the hundreds and, some are saying, the thousands. Stu News Newport's July 7 Fair Game column reframes the weekend around the city's response: the police, fire, and mutual-aid effort that kept it from going worse.

Why It Matters: Months of city planning met a fast-moving situation, and the column reads less as an incident recap and more as a public thank-you to the people in uniform who worked the peninsula through the night.

🍸 Serious savory season in a secret garden

2441 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar

The Bungalow sits right in the middle of a village, a Craftsman-style house with a dark-wood bar and private booths. Out back is one of the neighborhood's best patio secrets, a garden of heaters and slow tables.

It is community-owned and loved for fresh seafood and famously strong martinis. The move here is the happy-hour filet mignon burger, the seasonal arctic char, and the tater tots, which are strictly not ironic.

🌸 Fresh blooms and late afternoon strolls

2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar

Summer has officially arrived at our coastal botanical oasis: Sherman Library & Gardens. Alongside the resident koi ponds and lush tropicals, the seasonal exhibition brings whimsical, larger-than-life canine sculptures to the grounds.

Furry companions can even join the fun for a special afternoon social on July 10. While the gardens close early on July 16, the neighborhood street celebration features community pop-ups down the block with live music, local art, and exclusive culinary previews.

Click here to be the business everyone hears about next week!

Lemmy is a small orange Domestic Short Hair kitten

Found hitching a ride in a car engine, this resilient little guy has traded the mechanic life for a high-powered purr that sounds like a finely tuned motor. He loves snuggling with people and gets along wonderfully with other cats.

Lemmy is already neutered, vaccinated, and ready for a cozy lap.

To learn more about this handsome boy,

🦋 Hummingbird Summer | Roger's Gardens | opens 07/10 | More
Displays of nectar-producing flowers and hummingbirds feeding in a garden.

🎉 Witte Hall Open House & Family Celebration | Central Library | 07/11 | More
Hands-on activities and first tours of the new auditorium. 2 to 4 p.m.

⛵ 90th Annual Flight of Newport Beach | Newport Harbor | 07/12 | More
Historic single-handed sailboat race circling the entire bay. Free to watch.

🏖️ Multi-age Beach Day 2026 | Crystal Cove Beach Cottages | 07/13 | More
A sun-soaked day of connection, ocean breezes, and evening sunset watching.

🎶 Little Lido Kids Club: Music Class with Magic Steps | Lido Marina Village | 07/16 | More
Interactive educational songs for little ones to dance, learn, and grow.

🛍️ Stars, Stripes & Summer | Via Lido Plaza | 07/17-07/18 | More
Live music, local art, and family-friendly movies!

🎨 Guest Artist Showcase: Tim Hanna | Balboa Tattoo | 07/09-07/14 | More
Fine-line and traditional illustrations from a renowned visiting Chicago specialist.

🎧 Vintage Vinyl Live | Newport Harbor Elks Lodge #1767 | 07/10 | More
Classic rock and pop hits from the golden age of records.

🥇 Grand Opening Weekend Events | Witte Hall | 07/11-07/12 | More
Surf stories and elegant classical strings celebrate a brand new cultural venue.

🍷 Seas the Flavor: BBQ & Bourbon | A+O Restaurant | Bar | 07/12 | More
Smoky, slow-cooked barbecue paired with bold bourbon flights!

🎸 Just A Girl: No Doubt & Gwen Stefani Tribute | Campus JAX | 07/12 | More
90s ska-punk and pop anthems with explosive, nostalgic dance party vibes.

🎶 Summer Sunset Concert Series | VEA Newport Beach | 07/16 | More
Feel-good country rhythms plus panoramic ocean views and lawn games.