Cowabunga, Dunes! : Shallows and Shores of Little Bay Offer Kicks for Kids and Adults

If you were a kid and imagined the best beach possible, you’d want sand you could pack and water fit for swimming, a swing set right on the beach and a slide that lands you in the surf.

If you were a parent imagining the best beach, you’d want relatively calm water where you could see your kids at all times. And lots of things to keep young bodies busy.

The place exists in Newport Beach, and it’s known among the locals as Little Bay. Its official name is the Newport Dunes recreational vehicle resort.

Its pleasures are open to day visitors as well as the RV families that camp there. Possibly the only people who wouldn’t appreciate Little Bay’s calm waters are surfers.

10 to 11: Pull in through the guard-attended gate, pay $5 for a carload, and park anywhere. The lot is vast.

The bay, a half-circle, is spanned by a bridge at its mouth, so walkers can travel easily between the two shores.

The shore near the parking lot is where the swings and jungle gyms are. There are also a couple of shade trees, volleyball nets and a basketball court.

The other advantage to the near shore is that there is a huge, plastic whale anchored a pool’s length into the water. Three wide grooves have been cut into the whale’s back, perfect for sliding into the water.

The far shore is less populated, if you consider that a plus.

Lining both shores are small shelters with tables and benches. Some are equipped with charcoal grills. These are called cabanas when they accommodate 30 or so people. Put a couple of cabanas together, invite up to 200 friends, and it’s called a pavilion.

Cabanas and pavilions must be rented in advance. The Newport Dunes sales office recommends one week to four months notice.

11 to noon: If you forgot to bring a pail and shovel, cold drink, pickle relish or sunglasses, you can pick these up at the small grocery store at one end of the bay. There’s a pool and spa compound near the grocery store, but it’s for RV guests only.

Newport Dunes will also supply larger items. A pedal boat, for example. You can rent one for $12 per hour, $36 for a half day, or $60 for a full day.

An umbrella and chairs, kayaks, bicycles, boogie boards and electric boats are all available for rent, among other items.

Most rentals require a MasterCard or Visa and another form of identification. Some items require a deposit.

Noon to 1: The Back Bay Cafe is a casual place for lunch. It has outdoor and indoor tables and serves soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches and wine and beer. Prices run about $7 for salads, $6 for sandwiches.

The house specialty is Back Bay Chowder ($3.50 a bowl), which has won popular chowder-tasting contests, according to the menu. It’s filled with real crab and has very few potatoes. It’s a treat.

The cafe sits at the far end of the Newport Dunes parking lot, just beyond the boat ramp. If you drive, be aware that there are only a couple of parking spaces next to the restaurant. It’s best to park before you get to the boat ramp and walk the rest of the way.

Visitors who want to visit only the cafe should tell the lot attendant. There is a two-hour waiver of the parking fee for diners.