Back to Journal
With the Paddle Up Pickleball Tournament and John Wayne Grit Series set for this April, On Location with John Wayne sets sail for the legend’s California coastal home—Newport Beach.
Written by Jenn Thornton
John Wayne may have stormed foreign shores as an American soldier and roamed the American West on horseback during his iconic film career, but when he settled in for a slice of real life—and some well-deserved R&R—he hung his hat at his home in sunny Newport Beach, where the April 15 Paddle Up Pickleball Tournament and April 22 edition of the John Wayne Grit Series will take place to support the John Wayne Cancer Foundation’s goal to advance the fight against cancer.
Where to touch down first? The John Wayne Airport, naturally. Located just outside Newport Beach in Santa Ana, this Orange Country hub has more to offer than your next layover. Along with the usual fare is an unusually interesting arts program with museum-quality exhibits and special programs. Take note of the unique hang gliders soaring above baggage claim in Terminals A and B, and the large-scale three-dimensional sculpture “Flight of Ideas” installation in Terminal C.
As a SoCal hot spot, there plenty of places to bunk in Newport Beach. Duke, however, preferred his lovely Bayshore Drive crash pad on the water, where he resided for 14 years and filled with a collection of curios and mementos—rocks, shells, Native America kachina dolls, Western art, antiques and more—that he picked up during his travels. There was no rhyme or reason to his collection. As he told Architecture Digest: “Look, I find things that appeal to me and I try to blend them in here. I don’t give a damn whether anyone likes them or not. But I think I’ve done a pretty damn good job.” He did. The house was handsome, but not “glamorous” by Hollywood standards. Still, it was what Wayne wanted: a nice waterfront location—in this case, one with a view of Balboa Island, where you can book a beach rental, grab some seafood and do some shopping—and easy access to his boat.
On board his WWII minesweeper turned yacht Wild Goose, Wayne could put his feet up and do the things he enjoyed—deep-sea fishing, diving for lobsters, sunning and exploring the high seas. He was so at ease on the water that his son, Ethan, recalls his father throwing on a shirt and a pair of flip-flops and literally throwing himself overboard so that he could swim to a remote Mexican village. When he wasn’t washing up on remote shores—or getting into friendly squabbles with the vessel’s crusty skipper Pete Stein—Wayne was playing cards, chess and entertaining his family and friends, including his crooning co-star Dean Martin and his frequent leading lady Maureen O’Hara.
Turns out, Duke’s beloved cruiser is still out at sea, hosting private and group events. On May 25, in honor of John Wayne’s birthday, she’ll set sail for John Wayne’s Sights and Sips Cruise (cityexperiences.com)—a scenic, 1.5-hour spin around Newport Harbor. What’s on tap? Beyond curated cocktails by Duke’s Bourban Whiskey, a sailor’s delight of delicious bites and a behind the scenes look at Duke’s famous cruiser: family staterooms, library, card room, and salon featuring movie posters and paintings by his former wife. Best of all, a portion of all ticket sales also benefit the Newport Beach-based John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
So, whether you’re lacing up to fight cancer with the John Wayne Foundation or taking a Wild ride, life’s a beach—and a blast—in Newport Beach.
