Spring Happenings
Spring has sprung in Newport Beach! What better time to get out and enjoy some of the events and activities that the area has to offer. From special celebrations of the season to “egg-citing” Easter activities, there’s something for everyone.
For Nature Lovers
Roger’s Gardens and Sherman Library & Gardens, both in Corona del Mar, offer an array of fun and educational programming. Some upcoming highlights at Sherman Gardens include the “Paint a Pansy” floral class March 19, from 10 a.m. to noon, with local artist Erin Houghton teaching painters and non-painters alike how to depict a pansy on a canvas and gift tags to take home ($25 for members; $30 for non-members), and the popular “Repotting Cymbidium Orchids” instructional class March 23, at 9 a.m., featuring a talk on how to successfully repot an orchid followed by each participant repotting their own flower to take home ($35 for members; $40 for non-members). You also might want to start planning now to attend the horticultural retreat’s 20th annual Private Gardens Tour April 16, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., where you can enjoy a light lunch and then mingle with musicians and artists as you stroll through several private gardens throughout the community ($50 for members, $55 for non-members).
At Roger’s Gardens, it’s time for the home and garden retail store’s Spring Celebration March 18-20. This free annual event kicks off spring with a weekend of floral displays, special events and seminars. Highlights include “Inspired Spring Floral Designs with Kristen Silka & Onita Castillo” March 19 from 9-10 a.m. — with the Gardens’ talented floral designers demonstrating how to design and create beautiful spring-inspired arrangements — and a “Christopher Radko Trunk Show” March 19 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — showcasing the 2016 collection of European, hand-crafted ornaments. Other activities include the opening of the art gallery exhibition “Every Picture Tells a Story”, March 19 (running through May 15), from 9 a.m.–6 p.m., featuring a variety of plein-air paintings by artists Brian Blood, David Damm, Gil Dellinger, Robin Hall, Joseph Paquet, W. Jason Situ, Laurie Kersey and Ron Rencher; a “Landscape Design Studio Open House” March 19, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., where you can learn all about Rogers Gardens’ landscaping services; “The Magic of Acrylic,” March 19, from 2-4 p.m., an art demonstration with artist Gill Dellinger; and “Original Designs Container Gardens” March 20, from 10 – 11 a.m., with original design manager Lisa Bauchiero and nursery manager Rex Yarwood sparking inspiration with their innovative and colorful springtime home designs.
Get Active
Run to promote childhood fitness and to raise scholarship funds for Newport-Mesa students at the annual Newport-Mesa Spirit Run March 20 at 6 a.m. at Fashion Island. The event includes adult races, youth races for ages 4-14, a Toddler Trot, and a Youth & Fitness Expo at the Edward’s Big Newport 6 & RPX cinemas; nmspiritrun.org.
The Marina Park Sailing Center also offers several springtime classes. Coming up April 2 from 1-4 p.m: Ages 18 and older can build on basic sailing skills in the center’s 14-foot dinghies. This intermediate class with on-shore lessons and plenty of on-the-water instruction is sure to have you sailing around Newport Harbor in no time ($65).
Into Jazz?
Jazz4us presents Jazz at The Tee Room March 28, featuring saxophonist Bruce Babad performing a tribute to late jazz alto saxophonist and composer Paul Desmond (best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet). Come early for dinner at 5:30 p.m. and stay for the music at 7 p.m. ($5-$20).
Enjoy Easter
Head to the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort March 25 for fun Easter decorating activities including crafts at 11 a.m., baskets at 1 p.m. and eggs at 3 p.m. Then take part in the resort’s annual free Easter Egg Hunt March 26 at 9 a.m., featuring more than 6,000 goodie-filled eggs and family photos with the Easter Bunny. On March 27, attend the Easter Sunrise Service with Pastor Tim Lukei from Mariners Church at 7 a.m. on West Beach before heading to the resort’s one-of-a-kind Back Bay Bistro for the popular Sunday Easter Brunch from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Expect omelet, pancake, crab cake, smoked fish, seafood and carving stations, as well as antipasti and dessert displays, salad bar, fresh fruit, and treats hot off the grill from bacon to chicken tenders and more ($79 for adults, including bottomless Champagne and mimosas, and $38 for children ages 12 and younger). But that’s not all! Newport Dunes Resort guests also are invited to take part in Bike Parade Decorating at noon and an Easter Bike Parade at 2 p.m.
The Newport Beach Civic Center holds its annual Spring Egg Roll March 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. In addition to the egg roll race, this fun event also is expected to include plenty of games, crafts and photos with the Easter Bunny.
At Our Hotels
You can always count on Newport Beach’s hotels to do it up right when it comes to springtime events. Head to SHOR restaurant at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, March 27, for an Easter Champagne Brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., complete with live music, an Easter Egg hunt with the Easter Bunny, and a petting zoo, face painting and balloon artist ($85 for adults and $42.50 for children ages 5-12). Thinking of staying over? The Hyatt is running a Spring Break Hot Deal for AAA members March 17-May 26 that includes 10 percent off the standard rate, free breakfast in SHOR for two children ages 12 and younger (with two paid adults), a chef’s welcome amenity and in-room movie.
The Five-Star Resort at Pelican Hill presents springtime epicurean experiences and activities for locals and resort guests alike amid a gorgeous ocean-view setting. On March 27, let the little ones delight in an Easter egg hunt, visits with the Easter Bunny, face painting and balloon shaping on the picturesque Rotunda Lawn, while you enjoy Chef Jean-Pierre Dubray’s. Traditional Easter Brunch,from 10-a.m.-3 p.m., in Mar Vista’s grand ballroom ($125 for adults, $60 for children ages 5-12 and free for ages 5 and younger). Andrea Ristorante, Pelican Grill, and the Coliseum Pool & Grill also are offering special meals this Easter, while pastry chef Jeff at the Caffé & Market cooks up some special treats including artistic chocolates, colorful macaroons, fruity tarts, classic cookies, delectable confections, exquisite European pastries, mouthwatering sorbets and seasonal gelatos.
The Fairmont Newport Beach also is hosting an enhanced breakfast buffet from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Easter Sunday — complete with a carved, honey and espresso glazed bone-in ham station and a chocolate waffle station with all the fixins ($27) — while the Island Hotel Newport Beach features an Easter Brunch at Oak Grill from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. offering a multitude of stations filled with traditional favorites from filet and omelets to dessert, along with an oyster bar, artisan cheese and charcuterie table, and bottomless mimosas — all savored to the tunes of a live acoustic band ($75 for adults and $25 for children ages 5-12). Just days before, the property presents a Lewis Cellars Five-Course California Wine Dinner March 24 at 6:30 p.m., with chef Marc Johnson and his team creating a five-course dinner paired with selections from the Napa-based winery including diver scallop aguachile served with a 2014 Sauvignon Blanc and Beurre monté Maine lobster with chardonnay and more ($150).
With more than enough hotel options to fit each individual style, many other Newport Beach properties also offer special springtime events and packages.
