Other City Facts & Statistics

Early names for the area were Bolsa de Gengara and Bolsa de San Joaquin. It was later called San Joaquin Bay. In 1870, Captain S.S. Dunnells landed his stern-wheeler Vaquero at the sand spit-clogged San Joaquin slough. The story goes that a Mrs. B. G. Perkins suggested that the inlet be named "New Port" as the first new port between San Diego and San Pedro. In 1876, the McFadden brothers, who had earlier purchased the dock and warehouse at the location, give the name Newport to their cargo steamer.  When the McFaddens establish a town site in 1892 to serve as a new beach resort, they name it Newport. In 1904, new owners subdivide the area and name it Newport Beach.