Taste of Newport Beach
DAY ONE:
There’s no better way to start off your coastal California vacation than on the sparkling waters of Newport Harbor. To acclimate yourself to the area quickly, join up with China Cove Kayak Adventures for a sightseeing tour with a nautical twist. Knowledgeable guides lead participants by kayak through the seven islands that make up the harbor, providing a running commentary of fun facts and entertaining stories as well as up-close views of multi-million dollar yachts and movie stars homes. You’ll stop along the way for a swim at Pirates Cove, made famous as the beach filmed in the opening sequence of “Gilligan’s Island.” Sea lions, pelicans, and seals are often seen frolicking in the bay, so don’t forget a waterproof camera!
Once you’ve worked up an appetite kayaking, go ahead and reward yourself with a bowl of the Back Bay Café’s award-winning seafood chowder. The restaurant’s casual, bay-front atmosphere – overlooking the only public boat launch in Newport Beach – is perfect for people watching, and its delicious California cuisine will provide plenty of energy for an activity-filled afternoon.
Walk off your meal with a little window shopping at nearby Fashion Island, southern California’s premier open-air retail center and home to Orange County’s only Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s stores. Reminiscent of a Mediterranean village, Fashion Island has more than 200 specialty shops, prestigious department stores, a vast array of restaurants, and seven movie theatres. If you have kids, be sure to take a turn or two on the Venetian-themed carousel.
Tow your fabulous finds in the car, then set off to explore Mariner’s Mile, a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway crammed with boating businesses and delicious dining options. One of Newport Beach’s most famous restaurants is The Arches, a favorite hangout of legendary movie stars such as Shirley Temple, John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart. Still a hotspot due to its recurring role on the popular television series, “The O.C.”, The Arches provides the perfect setting for an elegant evening out. With its vivid original artwork, linen-covered tables and tuxedoed waiters, the scene is set for a night of indulgence, whether sampling from a list of 175 wines or feasting on Abalone, fresh salmon, or a selection of juicy steaks.
DAY TWO:
As the most important meal of the day, you won’t want to mess around when it comes to breakfast. Wilma’s Patio on Balboa Island has been delighting visitors and locals alike for more than 22 years with its hearty, homemade meals. Sit out on the patio and enjoy their extensive breakfast menu of omelets, pancakes, waffles, benedicts and the “Balboa Belly Bomber,” a warm French roll stuffed with egg.
Spend the early part of your day discovering the many charming boutiques, art galleries and souvenir shops on Balboa Island, California’s version of Cape Cod. Learn about simpler times on the island and see memorabilia of past residents, including old photographs and personal stories at the Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society.
All aboard! Right next to the museum is the Balboa Ferry, a National Historic Landmark that has connected island visitors and residents to the Balboa Peninsula for nearly a century. Today, this priceless Newport Beach experience costs riders on foot a mere 60 cents and vehicles $1.20 for the four-minute trip.
Passengers depart the ferry on the Peninsula side at the Balboa Fun Zone, a must-do for families looking for an afternoon of old-fashioned enjoyment. Ride the Ferris wheel, play games in the arcade, shop for kitschy souvenirs or stroll down the boardwalk to see the ships in the harbor. When you’ve had your fill of play time, spend a few moments at the Balboa Pavilion, a well-known Newport Beach landmark dating back to 1905. There, pictures from the last century are arranged in displays to tell the story of this beachside paradise.
From the Pavilion, it’s just a short walk to Ruby’s Diner for a late lunch. The premier 1940’s diner, situated at the end of the Balboa Pier, is an 11-time recipient of Orange Coast Magazine’s “Best Burger” award. With its fun-filled family atmosphere, pier location and reasonable prices, Ruby’s is a popular lunch spot for visitors and locals alike.
Burn off lunch-time calories and revel in Newport Beach’s pleasant year-round weather with a saunter along the boardwalk between the Balboa and Newport Beach piers – an easy 2.5 mile walk. If walking on a green is more your style, consider a round of afternoon golf at one of the area’s premier public courses, such as Strawberry Farms or Oak Creek golf clubs.
Relax over dinner at Villa Nova Restaurant. Established in 1933, this landmark dinner house offers fine Italian cuisine in a romantic setting overlooking Newport Harbor. Known for its homemade pasta, fresh seafood, steak and veal, Villa Nova is a great way to end a busy day. Complimentary valet parking and guest boat docks are available to all patrons and reservations are recommended.
DAY THREE:
Today it’s off to discover the arts and culture of Newport Beach! First, jump start your brain with a jolt of caffeine from Alta Coffee. This cozy coffeehouse in historic Cannery Village serves the freshest coffee in town along with a selection of baked goods, from croissants and muffins to cobblers and quichettes. If you’re lucky, your visit will coincide with one of the frequent performances by talented local artists, musicians and poets.
Once you’ve had your daily dose of coffee, start your cultural exploration at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, a three-story reproduction of a Delta paddlewheeler. The former riverboat restaurant now houses the museum’s 15,000 sq. ft. of nautical exhibits, including a multi-million dollar ship model gallery featuring a 22 karat gold and silver battleship. View world-class maritime art and over 80,000 historical photos, try out the sportfishing simulator or play with sea animals in the touch tank.
Next you’re off to the Orange County Museum of Art , the area’s premier visual arts museum near Fashion Island. Here you’ll view numerous solo and group exhibits linking historical and contemporary art ideas. The museum is dedicated to engaging diverse audiences by providing creative commentary and illuminating dialogue on issues in our society through the arts.
Now that you’ve satisfied your taste for fine art, head toward Cannery Village for lunch at the aptly named Cannery Seafood of the Pacific. Housed in a once-bustling tuna canning plant, the Cannery carries on the site's seafood tradition, inviting visitors near and far to bask in the waterside locale's hospitality. Choose from traditional Asian cuisine at the upstairs sushi bar, steaks and salads at the Grill Room or enjoy your meal al fresco at the waterside patio.
If you have time after lunch, take a short walk to explore the eight square blocks that make up Cannery Village. Once the center of the commercial fishing industry, Cannery Village today is a charming blend of old Newport Beach and modern shopping and dining. A long time favorite among aspiring artists, the village has been called " Montmartre by the Sea" due to the many works of art displayed regularly on the streets. Make use of the public parking lot on 30th Street between Villa Way and Newport Blvd., as this unique attraction is best seen on foot.
After all this walking, you’re likely ready to sit back and let someone else do the entertaining! Look no further than South Coast Repertory or the Opera Pacific for an evening of cultural enjoyment. Now in its 20th season, Opera Pacific has established itself as one off the Top Ten professional opera companies in the nation. Featuring such popular masterpieces as La Traviata, Madame Butterfly and Aida, Opera Pacific combines the power of the arts, theatre, music, design and dance, leading audiences to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the richness of life. For less well-known – though equally engaging – pieces of entertainment, South Coast Repertory offers a full lineup of plays. The professional theatre company, named one of America's Top Five theaters by TIME magazine, also has a series for families, making it the perfect activity for visitors of all ages.
Contact Information
China Cove Kayak Adventures
21 Ridgeline Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 632-4694
Back BayCafé
1131 Back Bay Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 729-1144
Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 721-2000
(800) 495-4753
The Arches
3334 W. Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 645-7077
Wilma’s Patio
203 Marine Ave.
Balboa Island, CA 92662
(949) 675-5542
Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society
502 S Bayfront, 2 nd Floor, Unit A
Balboa, CA
(949) 675-3952
Ruby’s Diner
# 1 Balboa Pier
Balboa, CA 92661
(949) 675-RUBY
Strawberry Farms Golf Club
11 Strawberry Farms Rd.
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 551-1811
Oak CreekGolf Club
One Golf Club Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 653-5300
Villa Nova Restaurant
3131 W. Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 642-7880
Alta Coffee
506 31 st St.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 675-0233
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
151 E. Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 673-7863
Orange County Museum of Art
850 San Clemente Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 759-1122
Cannery Seafood of the Pacific
3010 Lafayette Ave.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 566-0060
South Coast Repertory
655 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 708-5555
Opera Pacific
600 W. Warner Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(714) 546-6000
(800) 346-7372
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