China Cove Overlook

Looking across China Cove today, there is no way to know how it was named. But in earlier times, the answer would have been obvious - China House. Inspired by Imperial Chinese architecture, this iconic home built in 1931 served for decades as a landmark for sailors entering Newport Harbor and gave the cove its name.

The house was commissioned by William and Sarah Lindsay, a couple who retired to Southern California after selling a chain of general stores to J.C. Penney. In 1927 the Lindsays took a trip to China. Sarah Lindsay was so impressed by the architecture that she was inspired to have a beach house built based on Chinese architectural traditions. The house was utterly unique in Newport Beach. The pink and green house resembled a pagoda, with sweeping curves on the roof corners. Panels at the corners included dragon motifs. Other parts of the house also included Chinese motifs. The home itself was built on a rock outcrop, which was exposed in the interior of the home.

Although China House was demolished in 1987, an older building, the Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory still stands. The building dates to 1926 when a group of investors purchased the Del Mar Hotel (see Stop 1) and adjoining coastal land. They created the Balboa Palisades Club, which in the flowery language of the day was to be, “A sporting paradise, an athletic ideal, a social delight, an inspiring gift of nature - a quiet retreat for those who choose.” They built this structure as a bath and boat house for the Club. The Club was a failure, but the building proved ideal for CalTech, which purchased it in 1930. For more than 90 years this distinctive white building has been used for marine research.

Be sure to watch the video by William Lobdell.