Bird’s eye view

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- On the 125-mile-long Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race

route, the only real show is right here. When the more than 450 boats

begin massing at the starting line in time for the noon race on Friday,

Newport Beach is the place to be.

Year after year, everyone agrees the best spot to view the race is

from the bluffs above Corona del Mar State Beach. Last year, about 1,000

people showed up at the park that overlooks Big Corona -- a perfect spot

to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the city’s only elevated view of the

race.

Parking, though, is less than ideal. On-street parking is limited, and

while there’s a large public parking lot at Big Corona State Park, like

most options this will require some walking.

Most agree it’s worth the hike. In addition to specials offered by

local retailers, including some in the Bayside Center shopping center at

Jamboree Road and Bayside Drive, a race official will be on top of the

bluffs announcing race details live through a public address system.

“It’s a great place to bring a picnic and view the race,” said Ralph

Rodheim, promoter of the Tommy Bahama Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race.

“It’s great because you’re up high looking down.”

Other spots in town also make good perches to watch the action on the

starting line. The boats begin by congregating near the harbor entrance

between the jetty at the Wedge and the one at Big Corona. A handful at a

time, the boats will sail out of the harbor and into the ocean to line up

on one of two starting lines about a quarter-mile southwest of the harbor

entrance. Starting with the largest boats first, sets of ships will take

off every 10 minutes for more than an hour, providing a spectacular show.

Many fly colorful battle flags, and some get even more colorful --

sometimes with hired mariachi bands playing on board, and sometimes with

eye-catching gimmicks, such as “The Prospectors,” a group of San

Francisco attorneys who in past years have had a grand piano on the

ship’s bow and all their crew members in tuxedos.

The Wedge is a good spot for many to watch the race, though for safety

reasons race officials discourage spectators from going out onto the

jetty. The tip of Balboa Pier is another spot to park and watch the

action go by. And, for anyone lucky enough to have access to a boat, the

race can also be seen from the water. Organizers caution on-water

spectators to steer clear of the race, though.

“You will see some pretty crazy stuff,” Rodheim said. “You never know

what you’re going to see. Rumor has it that there will be a woody

automobile that will be floating down the harbor this year. That should

be something to see.”

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .

FYI

WHAT: Tommy Bahama Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, the largest

international yacht race

WHEN: The race will begin at noon, when the first round of boats will

leave the starting line. Boats will continue to take off every 10 minutes

for more than an hour.

WHERE: The starting line is just southwest of the harbor entrance,

between the Wedge and Big Corona. Viewing spots include the bluffs above

Corona del Mar State Beach, the Wedge, the end of the Balboa Pier and

from boats on the water.

CALL: Race organizer Newport Ocean Sailing Assn.’s main number is

(949) 644-1023.