Newport Beach Summer Travel Guide
Newport Beach, California is a romantic, charming beach town located on the Southern California coast between Los Angeles and San Diego – and an easy, hour-or-so drive from either city. Offering something for everyone – sightseeing, water sports, fine dining, world-class shopping, five-star resorts and more – Newport Beach is the perfect getaway for a weekend or, even better, a week! Nicknamed “the Hamptons of Hollywood,” Newport Beach and its charming neighborhoods and islands surrounding the Harbor combine to create one of the most sought-after vacation spots in California. Plan your next California beach vacation with Newport’s travel guide.
On Water
Newport Beach is known for its beautiful white sand beaches – which stretch for approximately 10 miles. Each of Newport’s beach areas has its own character and unique appeal. The Balboa Peninsula is classic Newport, with extra-wide swaths of sand, good waves for beginning to seasoned surfers, two piers for fishing, a fantastic boardwalk for biking, skating or strolling, Balboa Village (Home of the Fun Zone) with the ExplorOcean museum, Ferris Wheel and other games and attractions, and many delicious eateries. Corona del Mar State Beach is a favorite with families, with gentle waves, fire pits, a snack bar, beach rentals and easy beachside parking. Crystal Cove State Beach is perhaps one of the most scenic beaches in all of California, with magnificent tidepools, historic cottages for rent, an award-winning restaurant and bar right on the sand and walking and hiking trails with routes for all ability levels. In addition, Newport Harbor is a world-renowned yachting destination, which also offers water fun for the whole family, including electric boats, jet skis, kayaks and paddleboards for rent, as well as gondolas and larger yachhts for hire. Restaurants line the harbor and offer the perfect location for catching a sunset or taking in some live entertainment.
On Land
In addition to being known as a water wonderland, Newport Beach offers a wealth of fun for landlubbers, as well! After your day at the beach or on the Harbor, take the ferry over to Balboa Island and get a world-famous Balboa Bar – an ice cream bar dipped in chocolate, then covered in your choice of toppings – and shop the charming boutiques of Marine Avenue, followed by a stroll around the “Big Island” and “Little Island,” which will give you fantastic water views as well as a look at some fabulous beach cottages and custom homes. Or, rent bikes and enjoy an easy ride along the Balboa Peninsula boardwalk or our own ecological preserve, the Back Bay.
On Trend
Not to be outdone by its water sports or sightseeing opportunities, the shopping scene in Newport Beach is among the best anywhere. Whether you’re looking for exclusive designer outposts – think Trina Turk, Kate Spade, Elie Tahari – or unique boutiques, you’ll find them here in walk-able, open-air settings and often with a view! Fashion Island is an outdoor mecca that encompasses more than 125 upscale specialty stores, as well as wonderful cafés for alfresco dining. If you prefer boutiques, Corona del Mar Village and Crystal Cove Shopping Center have one-of-a-kind boutiques to find perfect treasures to take home with you.
On the Menu
After a day spent paddling, strolling, sunning or shopping, you’ve worked up an appetite. And you’re in just the right place for a fabulous meal, ranging from gourmet to casual cuisine. Newport Beach is a true foodie destination – not just a culinary cousin to our Los Angeles neighbor. In addition to acclaimed eateries including Fig & Olive, RED O and Beachcomber Café, Newport offers some of the best authentic ethnic cuisine and dining options ranging from formal to hip to sandy-feet-casual. Best of all, you’re bound to enjoy lovely coastal views, mild breezes and alfresco dining settings whether you’re savoring breakfast, lunch, dinner or cocktails.
Experience Newport Beach
Newport Beach is the ideal location to bond with your family over activities, sightseeing, dining, and relaxing. And, the city is a romantic destination as well; offering couples long walks on the beach, romantic gondola rides, and beautiful sunsets to enjoy over cocktails or dinner. In addition, Newport Beach has accommodations to suit every taste and travel budget, from high-end hotels to charming bed and breakfasts to beach cottages to camping. Best of all, Newport Beach is the ideal base from which to enjoy all that Southern California has to offer, with Universal Studios Hollywood, LEGOLAND California and Disneyland Resort all within a hour’s drive.
