You can plan your Newport Beach weekend getaway in a jiffy using the resources below.
Will You Like It?
- Take a look at our Newport Beach and Balboa Island pictures.
- People who don't know Newport Beach very well may think of it mostly for shopping, but it's also a great place for water play. The Wedge at end of the Balboa Peninsula is a popular place for bodysurfing, while traditional surfers cluster near the pier. Everyone seems to enjoy the harbor tour and a stroll around tiny Balboa Island.
Best Time to Go
Newport Beach is great almost any time of year, but like most of the California coast is susceptible to "June gloom," when, like a cranky child, the sun may refuse to come out for days on end.Getting There
Driving? Newport Beach is 44 miles from downtown Los Angeles, 428 from San Francisco, 430 miles from Sacramento, 90 miles from San Diego and 277 miles from Las Vegas.Flying? The nearest aiport is Orange County (SNA). Check airfares.
Where to Stay
Center your stay near Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island. Try the Island Hotel for a luxurious getaway.For more places to stay, check our recommended Newport Beach hotels and use these tips to find a good place to stay, cheap.
5 Great Things to Do
- Take a Harbor Cruise: The Fun Zone Boat Company and Pavilion Paddy offer leisurely cruises around the bay, where you'll learn about the area's unique history.
- Go on a Romantic Gondola Ride: Some locals don't even know about Newport Beach's canals, but they make a perfect place for a sunset ride.
- Shop at Fashion Island: I normally don't recommend shopping as a vacation activity since you can do it at home, but this place has a reputation all over the area as shopping nirvana, so go for it.
- Richard Nixon Presidential Library: It's about a half hour drive to Yorba Linda, Nixon's birthplace, but it's worth it for interesting insights into the career of one of our most infamous presidents.
- Spa-a-ah!: After a Balinese massage and coffee-and-coconut scrub at The Spa at the Island Hotel, I felt relaxed for a week. The treatment is called the Island Nourisher.
Best Brunch
A weekend getaway is a great time to enjoy a leisurely brunch. Wilma's Patio on Balboa Island's Marine Avenue serves a good breakfast any day of the week, including their specialty Balboa Belly Bomber (a warm French roll stuffed with egg). The Pavilion restaurant at the Island Hotel (near Fashion Island) serves a more upscale, traditional Sunday brunch.Don't miss
My favorite thing to do in Newport Beach is a simple pleasure. Park your car either on the peninsula or Balboa Island and go for a walk. Stroll along the waterfront. Walk onto the little ferry that crosses the harbor, have dinner in a local restaurant. If the stands on the main street are still open, have a Balboa Bar (ice cream bar on a stick, coated with chocolate and crunchies to order) for dessert. You'll wish you could afford to live here instead of just visiting.Tips
- If you want to see the Christmas boat parade (something we highly recommend), make hotel reservations early, and don't forget to also reserve a table in a restaurant along the route if you want to watch from there.
- We know other parts of Newport Beach are better-known, but stick to the peninsula and island for a more relaxing, can't-believe-this-is-Orange-County kind of experience.
Annual Events You Should Know About
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a long-standing tradition that's well worth your time. You'll be surprised how creative Californians can get with their holiday celebrations.There's no special event here at Halloween, but homeowners along the waterfront between the peninsula and Balboa Island go all out to decorate, making an evening stroll like walking through a lighted carnival.
