Mapping out Corona del Mar parking

Paul Clinton

It may sound like a paradox, but business leaders in the village hope

to alleviate a parking crunch that doesn’t exist.

The issue: There is plenty of parking, but visitors battling each

other for the few choice spots along East Coast Highway don’t know

where to find it, leaders say.

“There is a misconception, because some people think there is not

adequate parking,” said Bill Sinclair, the president of the Corona

del Mar Chamber of Commerce. “That’s a myth.”

Sinclair and other chamber leaders are printing up a colorful

parking map for visitors that pinpoints up to six parking locations

on streets crossing East Coast Highway.

As many as 160 additional spaces are available at those locations,

Sinclair said.

About 50 of those stalls are usually available behind the Bandera

Restaurant, at the intersection of Marguerite Avenue and East Coast

Highway.

Another 20 or so spaces are available behind Rose Donuts at East

Coast Highway and Orchid Avenue.

A lot between Carnation and Dahlia avenues is usually good for

almost 30 slots, Sinclair said.

Also, between 15 and 20 stalls are also available at Grant Howald

Park, which can be reached by heading north on Goldenrod Avenue.

A fifth parking lot could become available if the city approves an

application to convert the former Shell gasoline station adjacent to

the post office at Orchid and Coast Highway.

Parking is also available on weekends in the area near the Oasis

Senior Center. About 20 spaces are usually free, Sinclair said.

The map is expected to be sent out to residents and will be

available at the chamber’s offices, at 2855 E. Coast Highway. It will

also be posted on the chamber’s Web site

(www.coronadelmarchamber.com).

Dennis O’Neil, a resident in the area and its former councilman,

said the map would be a good way to funnel some of the cars away from

street parking on the residential streets in the village and onto

lots.

“I believe there is adequate parking for the people who are

driving the streets of Corona del Mar,” O’Neil said. “The goal is to

allow the businesses to be successful.”

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.