Summer has always screamed beach days in Newport Beach, but what few visitors might not realize is that there is so much more to do and see than just going to the beach.
Newport Beach has many things to do and so much to offer travelers and locals alike. A lot of people associate the city with luxury and elegance, and if money is no object, there are very high-end options of things to do. But, most of us like to stretch our travel dollar as much as possible so I am going to share some things to do that are of little or no cost, (surprisingly, it doesn’t have to be expensive for you to visit this great beach city here in Southern California)!
Over the next few weeks, I will be going in to some fun details about my top five things to do In Newport, but I wanted to give you a taste of what’s to come. Remember, the weather in Newport is pretty much nice all year-round (65 to 85 degrees) so the summer isn’t over in Newport Beach just because the kids are going back to school! Let’s go ---
1. Visit a beach (or two)
There are many beaches in Newport (I mean, it is the West Coast) and each has its own attraction and vibe. I will focus on Corona del Mar State Park, which are actually two beaches, that are a ten to fifteen-minute walk from one another but will each give you a different ambiance.
Big Corona is a half-mile long sandy beach playground popular with swimmers. It also offers sand volleyball courts, public restrooms, showers, snack bar, and usually good waves to bodysurf or boogie board. There is an extremely large parking lot available for $16.50 for all-day – or street parking at no cost, although sometimes hard to find (be prepared to walk a few blocks or so).
Little Corona is just south of Big Corona. There is a pathway down to the beach on the corner of Poppy and Ocean Blvd. This beach is a little secluded and offers a more relaxing setting with a small stretch of beach but also rocky cliffs and tide pools to discover some amazing sea life as well. Public restrooms and showers are also available.
2. Visit Balboa Island and experience it’s small-village charm but with a neighborhood feel. Marine Ave. is the main drag and offers quaint shops, cozy cafes, and fine dining. But first, take 20 - 30 minutes at the Balboa Island Museum (on the Marine Ave) to get a feeling of the interesting history of the island and why Old Hollywood stars loved living and vacationing here. Take some time to explore side streets and see the impressive cottages overlooking the water. When you are done, get a famous chocolate-covered frozen banana --they based the series Arrested Development on Balboa Island for a reason! And if you have more time, walk down to the southwest end of the island and hop on the Balboa Island Ferry and take it to the Balboa Village Fun Zone (an old-school carnival-like area).
3. Have dinner at a restaurant overlooking the harbor. There are over 400 in Newport, many with fantastic views of the harbor. For now, I am just mentioning a few directly on Pacific Coast Highway in the Mariner’s Mile area that fits all price ranges: Rusty Pelican, Billy’s by the Beach, Pizza Nova, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Waterline (Balboa Bay Resort) and Joe’s Crab Shack. These are within walking distance of one another and are just down the way from Fashion Island (next on our list). While dining, you can watch the water playground in the harbor – paddle boarders, yachts. sailboats, electric boats, and sunset cruise ships. You might even decide to book a sunset cruise for yourself next time time.
Or after dinner, you can meet the free trolley (Newport’s hop on and off bus that operates 9:30am to 9:30pm on weekends through Labor Day) and ride to the peninsula.
4. Stroll through Fashion Island – an open-air outdoor shopping experience and much more than just a mall. With over 200 stores and restaurants, it has often been described as a “fashionista and foodie paradise” (which trust me, it lives up to its reputation). What makes this even more unique is the gorgeous Pacific Ocean in the background.
5. Cruise the harbor in an electric boat (sometimes known as a Duffy Boat...the brand having been invented here for a reason). It is a perfect way to view Newport from the water and can generally accommodate 10 to 12 people. It is fun to bring snacks and drinks on board and since the motor is quiet, you can listen to music while cruising. There are several places to rent one to start your journey (usually by the hour rental) depending on where you would like to begin. I will mention a few to get you started: Just next to the Balboa Bay Resort on Mariner’s Mile is Duffy. In Balboa Village there is Boat Rentals Of America. And, lastly, on Balboa Island, there is the California Recreation Company.
If you rent an electric boat, ask about dock and dine options. Many restaurants have slips available, so you may drive your boat to the restaurant and “park” while you dine (which is always a fun and unique way to travel).
So, this will get you started if you just so happen to make it to Newport Beach before I finish my series. Check back next week, as I kick off the series, to get more tips on visiting Newport Beach.
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