One hundred years on PCH: A to A Cruise of Cars celebrates Newport Beach landmark
On Saturday, Sept. 12, the River Jetty Restaurant Group (RJRG) will commemorate the 100th anniversary of their landmark Newport Beach location, A Restaurant, marking a century of hospitality, community and enduring style along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Originally opened in 1926 as The Arches, the property’s roots date back to a pivotal moment in local history, the same year Coast Highway connected Huntington Beach to Newport Beach. Founded by John Vilelle and James Sturgeon, the roadside diner and service station with its distinctive Mediterranean architecture, arches and red tile roofs quickly became a recognizable gathering place and a fixture in shaping early Newport Beach culture.
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Courtesy of city of Newport Beach
The Arches, circa 1926
In 2008, RJRG partners, Hollywood producer Joseph “McG” Nichol and restaurateur Jordan Otterbein, assumed operations of the storied property, reintroducing it as A Restaurant, keeping the signature “A” in a nod to its predecessor. With a deep respect for its legacy, the duo thoughtfully evolved the concept into a modern steakhouse, honoring the past while adapting to the tastes of today’s discerning guests.
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Courtesy of A Restaurant
A Restaurant, 2025
This special coastal car cruise will bring together a curated collection of classic and contemporary automobiles for a scenic drive from A Restaurant to A Crystal Cove, celebrating Newport Beach’s enduring car culture and the connection between the two iconic River Jetty Restaurant Group destinations. Set against the backdrop of the Southern California coastline, the gathering will honor the spirit of the open road and the timeless style that has defined both Newport Beach and A Restaurant for generations.
Full Cruise Timeline:
–Cars gather 8:30-9:30 a.m. at A Restaurant at 3334 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.
–Cars depart A Restaurant by 9:30 a.m. and drive to the OASIS Car show, OASIS Senior Citizen Center parking lot at 801 Narcissus Ave., Corona del Mar. There will be a 100th Anniversary of PCH Proclamation by Newport Beach Mayor Lauren Kleiman.
–Cars depart OASIS at approximately 10:30 a.m. for a drive down the coast to A Crystal Cove.
–Cars finish cruise at A Crystal Cove restaurant, 7864 E. Cost Highway, Newport Coast. There will be a 100th Anniversary of PCH Proclamation by Newport Beach Mayor Lauren Kleiman at A Crystal Cove at approximately 11 a.m.
