West Newport went nuts on the Fourth of July, with thousands of people crammed into houses and streets. The booze was flowing, and people were just going crazy.
According to the Orange County Register, only about 77 arrests by about midnight, a much lower number than previous years.
Check out our slideshow to see if OrangeCounty.com caught you in action in West Newport on the Fourth of July.
Are you headed to the coast on Fourth of July? So is everyone else. Here’s some info to help navigate you through the madness:
DRINKING? Make sure you hide your beers in West Newport:
This area has long been the drunken party central, where house parties in front yards are flowing with booze; hardly anyone has any clothes on; and the cops are scanning the area to bust anyone doing anything even slightly suspect.
Check out this video from last year’s craziness. And here’s another from Youtube, courtesy of djjson on Twitter.
Hundreds of thousands of people flood into Newport, and the Police Department has about 200 officers on scene to make sure things don’t get out of control. Newport - and back in the days Huntington Beach - have a bad rap for having crazy fights and riots on the 4th of July.
Huntington Beach has toned down, after police started crackin’ the whip and fining everyone for everything. But Newport is still pretty wild. Last year, police gave more than 370 citations for various violations, issuing more than 590 parking citations and arresting 159 people.
They note that 83 percent of those arrested have addresses outside of Newport Beach (Read: Inland Empire) Last year’s arrest totals were up 27.2 percent from the previous year’s total of 125, according to the police. The biggest problem areas include drinking in public, public intoxication, fighting, uncontrolled parties, possession of fireworks and igniting them in public.
Fireworks are illegal to possess in the city of Newport Beach despite their sale in nearby cities.
So check it out - just be careful about taking your drinks out in the areas bordering the following areas, because fines are tripled: Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Boulevard, 32nd Street, the Pacific Ocean, and 54th Street.
The Police Department suggests people minimize the number of guests they invite to their parties, control those who attend, and make sure people who are drinking keep all open alcoholic beverages on their private property.
Also, make sure you don’t park illegally, the towing companies are out scouting ways to make big bucks on this day. If you want more details, check out www.NBPD.org.
PARKING:
Will be insane everywhere. Good luck.
ROAD and PIER CLOSURE:
If you’re headed through or going to Huntington Beach, you may want to take note of some road closures along Pacific Coast Highway. The roads from Goldenwest street to Beach Boulevard on PCH will be closed starting at 5 a.m., until 2 p.m.
City beach parking is only accessible at Beach Boulevard, and gates open at 5 a.m.
If you’re planning on hitting the beach this Fourth of July - be prepared, it’s a mess out there. The sand will be lined with towels, parties will dot the coast, and parking… forget about it.
Last year, one parking lot in Newport was demanding $50 for a spot.
But if you’re determined to curl up on the sand to watch fireworks light up the sky, with water reflecting the vibrant colors, check out this guide to help you navigate the coast.
SEAL BEACH
Seal Beach is pretty mellow compared to other coastal cities, but a firework show out of Long Beach can be seen from the beach. Get there early, parking is scarce.
Fireworks: The show from the Queen Mary in Long Beach is back this year. 
Starting time is 9 p.m. Click here for more information.
Parking: Public parking lots at First, Eighth and 10th streets are $3 for two hours or $6 per day. Free street parking in nearby neighborhoods also available.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
While Huntington Beach used to be pretty nuts on this holiday, the city has transformed itself into a family affair. Back in 1978, more than 2,000 people in Huntington Beach shot illegal fireworks, broke windows and threw rocks and bottles. It got really bad in 1993, when 500 people took over the corner of Olive Avenue and Seventh Street, dancing on vehicles and setting bonfires in the streets. By 1996, police cracked down, arresting 549 people for violations including riding bicycles on sidewalks .The tactics were later criticized by some residents as heavy-handed. The biggest draw these days is a parade that starts along Coast Highway. Click here for more info.
There’s usually about 250,000 who cram the downtown streets throughout the day, and at least double that end up on the beaches.
Traffic and Parking: Be warned that all of Coast Highway will be closed from Golden West to Beach Boulevard from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. because of the parade, and from 7 p.m. to about 11 p.m. for the fireworks show. Metered parking along that route will also be closed during those times. City run parking – on both sides of the pier and the downtown parking structure at 200 Main Street — cost more than usual. Expect to drop at least $20 for a spot.
Fireworks: The city puts on a show from the pier at 9 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m. If you want a spot by the pier, 1,000 VIP tickets are on sale for $10 a pop. Click here for more info. Fines for using personal fireworks could get you a ticket for $500, $1,000 for subsequent violations.
NEWPORT BEACH
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