Newport Beach

Newport Beach is a city famous for its lavish lifestyle and beautiful surroundings. Television enthusiasts will recognize the resemblance to the show The O.C., and not just by virtue of its location in Orange County, California. The American city has its share of "beautiful people" often with wealth to spare. Yet it's very possible to enjoy life in Newport Beach amongst the millionaires on a relatively low budget. == Understand == === Climate === === Tourist information === Visit Newport Beach website == Get in == === By plane === John Wayne Airport (SNA IATA) is located on the border of Newport Beach, Irvine, and Santa Ana. If you are arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX IATA) or Long Beach (LGB IATA), take the I-405 freeway south to the 73 freeway south. === By rail === Metrolink and Amtrak serve Santa Ana, Tustin (Metrolink only), and Irvine. A taxi would probably be the most convenient option. Local OCTA bus routes service Amtrak/Metrolink stations at certain times. Consult the OCTA website for more information. === By car === Take CA Highway 1 or the I-405 freeway to the 55 or 73 freeway south. The former will take you to West Newport and the latter to the east side of the Newport Bay. == Get around == The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) serves the Newport Beach area. The OCTA Newport Transportation Center is just east of Fashion Island in Newport Beach; here OCTA Routes 1, 55, 57, 75, 76 and 79 converge for a transfer point. Routes 1, 47 and 71 serve the beaches (over a mile away from here) and the Balboa Peninsula; Route 76 serve the John Wayne Airport SNA (about 6 miles from here). == See == True to its name, any visit to Newport Beach is incomplete without a trip to the beach. The city is nestled on the Pacific Ocean and is a favorite among surfers. The Wedge, at the end of the Balboa Peninsula, is famed for its challenging surf, but Newport's miles of wide beaches offer plenty of room for everyone, except on the busiest summer weekends. There is a concrete boardwalk running along the beach from the east of the Balboa pier to west of the Newport pier. 1 Muth Wetlands Interpretive Center, 2301 University Dr, ☏ +1 949-923-2290. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM, closed Monday. Located on Irvine Avenue, and facing out onto coastal wetlands, this is an excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of Pacific Coast wetlands. There is an excellent film presentation, and many exhibits of interest to young and old. (updated Apr 2026) 2 Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 600 E. Bay Ave (in the Balboa Fun Zone), ☏ +1 949-673-3377, nhnm@nhnm.org. W-M 10AM-6PM. This museum gives an introduction to the extensive maritime history of this area. Adults $5, children under 12 free. 3 Balboa Island. It is a quaint throwback to simpler times, with a strip of stores and restaurants (Marine Avenue) and a pedestrian walkway which incicles the island. It's accessible from the Balboa peninsula via a short car/passenger ferry, or you can drive there over a bridge from near the Pacific Coast Highway. == Do == 1 Balboa Fun Zone, 600 E. Bay Ave, Bfunzone@sbcglobal.net. Su-Th 11AM-6PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM. Located near the Balboa Pavilion, the Fun Zone has a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, rock wall, arcade, and bungee jump. $1.50 per ticket or 20 tickets for $25 (number of tickets required vary with attraction. Newport Landing Whale Watching, 309 Palm St. Suite A., ☏ +1 949-675-0550. During the summer months, view Blue Whales (more than 90 feet in length), Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and several types of dolphin and other marine life. During the winter months you can view Grey Whales, the occasional Orca, and many dolphins and sea lions. The trip has a 96% viewing success rate of marine life on each cruise. The company's primary whale watching ship is 65 feet in length with a large upstairs sun-deck, wrap around outside seating, snack bar with food and beverage and indoor seating with large windows. 2½ hours. === Events === Newport Beach Film Festival, ☏ +1 949-253-2880, info@newportbeachfilmfest.com. The 10-day festival features over 300 short and feature length films. April Starting at $10. (updated Jul 2017) Balboa Island Art Walk. Along South Bayfront Drive on Balboa Island. Over 100 artists showing and selling their work, ranging from paintings to sculptures to jewelry. Free. May Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series, ☏ +1 949-729-6400. Summer-long Jazz music festival on two stages. Held at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. May–October. $40-175. 2 Newport Dunes 4th of July Celebration, 1131 Back Bay Dr (at Newport Dunes Resort). A day-long celebration with carnival games, crafts, face painting, music by a DJ, hula-hoop and limbo contests, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments and drawings by a caricaturist. A fireworks show occurs over the lagoon after dark. $25. Fireworks show can be seen for free from outside the Resort. July 4; 11AM-9PM with fireworks show at 9PM. Newport International Boat Show. Exhibit of the latest and greatest in yachts, mid-April. Christmas Boat Parade, ☏ +1 949-729-4400. Annual water parade of boats decorated with Christmas lights. The boats take a nightly tour of Newport Harbour on five consecutive evenings. Free viewing from most locations. Some restaurants and organizations have premium seating for a fee. See the website for more information and map of parade route. December. Sandcastle Contest, ☏ +1 949-729-4400. Sand sculptures from novice to expert. The contest is held at Corona del Mar State Beach. Free admission for spectators. Fee for entrants. October. == Buy == 1 Fashion Island. The premiere shopping center in Newport Beach, this is a beautiful outdoor mall with great landscaping, and fountains of every description. Stores include Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Anthropologie, Barnes and Noble, Nike for Women. Restaurants include Cafe R & D (crowded, but good) and the Neiman Marcus Restaurant (with a beautiful view towards the ocean). 2 Westcliff Plaza, 1000 - 1150 Irvine Avenue, ☏ +1 949-339-1033. This is the real Newport, as few tourists make it over here. Located near the corner of Westcliff and Irvine Avenue, this is a small, luxury mall, with ultra upscale clothes, furnishings, and services. Restaurants include Haute Cakes (breakfast and lunch only) and Pizza Bakery. You will also see the colorful spectrum of local teen lifestyles. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Crystal Cove. This is on Pacific Coast highway in the southern reaches of Newport, called Newport Coast. Stop here on your way to Laguna Beach and find both chain and private retailers. This mall is breathtaking as it overlooks the ocean. Stop for a bite to eat. == Eat == 1 Ho Sum Bistro, 3112 Newport Blvd, ☏ +1 949-675-0896. The Combo Salad will fill you up and is very well priced for how much you get ($4-6). A nice option if you are stuck on the peninsula. 2 Memphis Cafe, 2920 Bristol St., Costa Mesa (take Macarthur Blvd North to 73 fwy north; exit Birch; continue north on Bristol (don't get back on the fwy); about 1-2 miles; restaurant is on the right), ☏ +1 714-432-7685. Su Tu-Th 8AM-9PM, F Sa 8AM-10PM, closed Monday. Tasty and fairly authentic gourmet southern fare in a casual roadhouse-style diner with fantastic ambience. Service is excellent, but informal. For lunch, try the 1/2 pulled pork sandwich and bowl of gumbo. Parking is sometimes a problem between non and 1PM on weekdays. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Wilma's Patio, 203 Marine Ave (Balboa Island). Family restaurant popular among locals for breakfast on Balboa Island (not the peninsula!), although they also serve lunch and dinner. The wait can be as long as an hour on summer weekend mornings. breakfast $10. 4 Sol Grill, 2400 West Coast Hwy, ☏ +1 949-287-6797, mistykmiller@hotmail.com. Tu-Su 5-10PM, closed Mondays. Good pasta and seafood restaurant with live music. As the restaurant is small, reservations are essentiell for weekends. (updated Apr 2026) 5 Rusty Pelican, 2735 West Coast Highway, ☏ +1 949-642-3431. Fine dining seafood restaurant with view of marina. Has a full bar on the second floor. 6 Woody's Wharf, 2318 Newport Blvd, ☏ +1 949-675-0474. M-W 10AM-11PM, Th F 10AM-1:30AM, Su 9AM-10PM. Seafood restaurant offering a good variety of options with a notable bar selection. (updated Jan 2026) 7 Seaside Donuts Bakery, 2108 W Oceanfront, ☏ +1 949-675-2533. 24 hours. This bakery went viral and there's long lines depending on the time of day but the baked stuff is worth the wait. Attracts lots of influencers and youths. Free. (updated Apr 2025) 8 Crystal Cove Shake Shack, 7703 East Coast Hwy, ☏ +1 949-464-0100. Longtime restaurant overlooking the ocean. Famous for its seating and milkshakes, but it also serves food like hamburgers, hot dogs, and more. Pretty iconic for the area, might be worth it to order online because lines tend to form. Hours vary by the season. (updated Apr 2025) 9 Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen, Crystal Cove Promenade, 7946 East Coast Hwy, ☏ +1 949-497-9770. M-Th 5-9PM, F Sa 5-9:30PM. Pretty good Italian restaurant with a good wine list. Good atmosphere with large portions. Free. (updated Apr 2025) 10 Bayside Restaurant, 900 Bayside Dr, ☏ +1 949-721-1222. M-F 4:30-10PM, F 3-11PM, Sa 5-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM. Fine dining establishment specializing in wine, seafood, and steak. Very popular with the Sunday Brunch crowd. They may have a piano player when you're there. (updated Apr 2025) 11 Galley Cafe, 829 Harbor Island Dr (drive all the way down Harbor Drive and it's on the right), ☏ +1 949-673-4110. 7AM-2PM. Waterfront diner on the end of Harbor Island. Usual diner foods, but it's quite small inside so there may be a wait. (updated Apr 2025) 12 Dad's Donut & Bakery Shop, 318 Marine Ave, ☏ +1 949-673-8686. 6AM-10PM. Longtime dessert place and bakery. One of the frozen banana places on Balboa Island, also serves cookies, donuts, and more. Old timey, you can't miss the banana sign. (updated Apr 2025) 13 Sugar n' Spice, 310 Marine Ave, ☏ +1 949-673-8907. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Su 11AM-10PM. The other frozen banana place on Balboa Island, claims to be the original. They also serve a signature item called Balboa bars. Loads of options for frozen bananas. (updated Apr 2025) 14 Cabo Cantina, 100 Main St, ☏ +1 949-675-7760. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11AM-12:30AM, Sa 10AM-2AM, Su 10AM-10PM. Good Happy Hour (10PM to midnight) nightly with 2-for-1 drinks. (updated Apr 2026) == Drink == 1 Baja Sharkeez, 114 Mc Fadden Pl, ☏ +1 949 673-0292. M-F 11AM-1:30AM, Sa Su 9AM-1:30AM. Fun, has music. They check IDs. Before this, there were loads of underage people. Minor chain with other locations around SoCal. (updated Apr 2026) 2 Balboa Saloon, 700 E Bay Ave, ☏ +1 949-673-9783. M-Th 11AM-midnight, F 11AM-2AM, Sa Su 10AM-2AM. Younger crowd, but never really seems busy. (updated Apr 2026) 3 A Restaurant, 3334 West Coast Hwy, ☏ +1 949-650-6505. Best happy hour in Newport. Rat pack vibe. 4 Mutt Lynch's, 2300 W Oceanfront, ☏ +1 949-675-1556. Su-Th 8AM-midnight, F Sa 8AM-2AM. A true locals haunt. "A little slice of a California beach community." (updated Apr 2025) 5 Classic Q, 4251 Macarthur Blvd (near John Wayne Airport). Sports bar with pool tables. Reasonable food. (updated Aug 2015) 6 Malarky's Irish Pub, 3011 Newport Blvd, ☏ +1 949-675-2340. 7:30AM - 2AM. Irish pub that also serves food, like hamburgers. They also have live music and Irish coffees. It's inside The Landing. (updated Apr 2025) 7 Cassidy's Bar & Grill, 2603 Newport Blvd, ☏ +1 949-675-8949. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-midnight. Rough around the edges bar and grill right off of Newport Boulevard. They don't usually answer the phone. They also serve food as the name would suggest. There is also a billiards (pool) table. (updated Jan 2026) 8 Stag Bar + Kitchen (Stag Bar), 121 Mc Fadden Pl, ☏ +1 949-673-4470. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa Su 9AM-2AM. Bar with a notably long list of drinks like cocktails and whiskey. Also serves food. Come for the happy hour. (updated Apr 2025) 9 Beach Ball, 2116 W Oceanfront, ☏ +1 949-675-8041. 6AM-2AM. Long time bar with pool tables that's closed for 4 hours any day. Right next to the water, too. They do not serve food, but they sell merchandise. (updated Apr 2025) 10 Blackie's By the Sea (Blackie's), 2118 W Oceanfront, ☏ +1 949-675-1074. Su-Th 10AM-midnight, F Sa 10AM-1AM. Bar that draws in a certain type of people. Very local spot. They sell merchandise. (updated Apr 2025) 11 The Blue Beet, 107 21st Pl, ☏ +1 949-675-2338. M-Th 4:30PM-midnight, F Su 11:30AM-2AM. Bar which also serves a lot of food. Rooftop patio with live music and a dance floor. Nice interior, really longtime classy place. (updated Apr 2025) == Sleep == 1 The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, 1221 Coast Highway (on Mariners Mile), ☏ +1 949-645-5000, toll-free: +1-888-445-7153, reservations@balboabayclub.com. Special features on site: barber/beauty shop, bar/lounge, restaurant, shops, hot tub, sauna, fitness center on site, bayfront property, full service spa. $245-475, suites $800-3000. 2 Balboa Inn, 105 Main St, ☏ +1 949-675-3412, toll-free: +1-877-BAL-BOA9 (225-2629), fax: +1 949 673-4587, info@balboainn.com. On the peninsula. $139-269, suites $299-599. 3 Bay Shores Inn, 1800 W Balboa Blvd, ☏ +1 949-675-3463, toll-free: +1-800-222-6675, fax: +1 949 675-4977. Near the Newport Pier on the peninsula. $199-269, suites $219-499. 4 Holiday Inn Express, 2300 West Coast Hwy, toll-free: +1-800-308-5401, fax: +1 949-631-5659. Reasonable sized rooms, small refrigerator and microwave, but interior a little musty.and in need of renovation. Basic breakfast. Free parking a plus for the area. (updated Sep 2015) 5 The Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Dr, ☏ +1 949-759-0808, fax: +1 949 759-0568. Across from the Fashion Island shopping center and within walking distance of the Orange County Museum of Art. $259-495, suites $475-495. 6 Little Inn By The Bay on the Balboa Peninsula, 2627 Newport Blvd, ☏ +1 949-673-8800, toll-free: +1-800-438-4466, fax: +1 949-673-4943. Located on Balboa Peninsula by Newport Beach Pier offers free Wi-Fi and parking is Big Plus coming to Newport Beach. Walking distance to the Beach, Board Walk, Lido Village and Famous restaurants like Carb Cooker & Woody's Wharf and Famous BAR like Mutts and Malarky’s Irish Pub. $79-299. 7 Newport Beach Marriott Bayview, 500 Bayview Circle, ☏ +1 949-854-4500, fax: +1 949-854-3937. Bedroom suites each with a step out balcony, living room, and marble bathroom. French doors separate the bedroom from the living room with fold out sofa and second television. 8 Newport Channel Inn, 6030 W. Coast Highway (on Pacific Coast Highway in the north-east part of Newport Beach near the border with Huntington Beach), ☏ +1 949-642-3030, toll-free: +1-800-255-8614, fax: +1 949-650-2666, innkeeper@newportchannelinn.com. $59-199. 9 Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport, Newport Beach, 4545 MacArthur Blvd, ☏ +1 949-975-1234. 1/2 mile from the John Wayne Airport, near the business districts of Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. $99-189, suites $350. == Connect == The area code for all of Newport Beach is 949. It must be dialed for local calls. == Go next == Catalina Island - For most of the year, there is daily boat service to Catalina on the Catalina Flyer, located on the Balboa Peninsula. Trip takes about an hour, and can frequently be rough. Remember to bring the Dramamine! While in Orange County, be sure to visit Disneyland in Anaheim or Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. Don't have a car? Don't have a cow. You can reach Los Angeles or San Diego by train from Irvine or Santa Ana.