Beaches set for crowds

With inland temperatures poised to be in the 90s and 100s this weekend, Newport-Mesa officials expect a large influx of sea breeze-seeking tourists to make their way to Balboa Peninsula.

Local lifeguards increased their on-duty staff for the weekend and noted they expected anywhere from 65,000 to 125,000 visitors on the Newport shore, more than twice the typical weekend crowd for this time of year. While temperatures are expected to surge inland, Newport-Mesa residents have a more comfortable forecast in the low 80s.

“Normally, we get anywhere from 25 [thousand] to 55,000 folks,” Lifeguard Captain Mitch White said. “When it gets really hot inland, people come here to cool off, because it’s usually a good 10 to 15 degrees colder.”

While traffic on Newport Boulevard and beach parking could become problematic for some residents, the influx isn’t all bad news. Local businesses, which often thrive on such migrations, say the projected numbers could mean a few big days at the bank.

“It boosts the hotel business, local restaurants, and even shopping centers,” Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau Vice President Maureen Barrett said. “Just about every business you can think of will see a boost.”

Local merchants agreed, though some expected larger crowds than others. Easy Ride Tricycles owner Dale Head, who rents out tricycles to residents and tourists alike, said he expected business to soar this weekend.

“If we have a sunny weekend day, we’ll make as much here in a weekend as we would the whole week,” he said. “This is normally a slower time of year, but this is going to be just like a summer day for us. We’ll do fantastic business.”

Tourists will also bring economic stimulus to businesses not directly related to beachcombing: David Muller, the executive director of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum — which owns the Balboa Fun Zone — said he expected a large increase of visitors to the local amusement park.

“When people have enough sun, they’ll come to the Fun Zone, look at the museums, ride the carousels, eat at our restaurants, ice cream stores — all the perfect things you’d want on a summer day,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a terrific weekend.”

The museum will also “unofficially” unveil its new exhibit on Blackbeard this Saturday, an event that Muller hopes will draw a fascinated crowd.

“The more that come, the merrier,” he said.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at [email protected].