Newport Beach

Climate

By plane

• John Wayne Airport (SNA) is located on the border of Newport Beach, Irvine, and Santa Ana.
• If you are arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Long Beach (LGB), 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.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) serves the Newport Beach area. The OCTA Newport Transportation Center is conveniently located 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).

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.

• Orange County Museum of Art

  phone: +1 949-759-1122
  address: 850 San Clemente Dr
  Specializes in contemporary art and houses rotating special exhibitions. Adults $10, Students (w/ valid ID) & Seniors (65+) $8, Children under 12- free.

• Muth Wetlands Interpretive CenterLocated 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.

• Newport Harbor Nautical Museum

  phone: +1 949 673-3377
  address: 600 E. Bay Ave
  This museum gives an introduction to the extensive maritime history of this area.

• Balboa Islandis 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.

• Balboa Fun Zone

  address: 600 E. Bay Ave
  Located near the Balboa Pavilion, the Fun Zone has a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, rock wall, arcade, and bungee jump.

• Newport Landing Whale Watching

  phone: +1 949-675-0550
  address: 309 Palm St. Suite A.
  ! During the summer months, view Blue Whales (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. 2 and 1/2 Hours

• Gourmet Detective

  phone: +1 949-423-5311
  address: 3100 Irvine Ave
  Murder mystery dinner show. Shows every Friday and Saturday night.

Events

• Newport Beach Film FestivalThe 10 day festival features over 300 short and feature length films. 253-2880; Starting at $10; April

• Balboa Island Art WalkAlong 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 SeriesSummer long Jazz music festival on two stages. Held at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. Recorded Information: 729-6400; $40-$175. May–October.

• Newport Dunes 4 th of July Celebration

  address: 1131 Back Bay Dr
  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.

• Lido Yacht ExpoExhibit of the latest and greatest in yachts. The event takes place at the Lido Marina Village. 757-5959. Adults $10; 12 and under free. September.

• Taste of NewportNewport Center Drive at Fashion Island. 729-4400. Annual food, wine and music festival featuring selections from Newport Beach restaurants. Presale - $17; at the gate - $20; Under 8 - Free. September.

• Christmas Boat Parade729-4400. 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

  phone: +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.

• Fashion IslandThe premiere shopping center in Newport Beach, this is a beautiful outdoor mall with great landscaping, and fountains of every description. Stores include Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales's, Anthropologie, Barnes and Noble, Nike for Women. Restaurants include Cafe R & D (crowded, but good), the Neiman Marcus Restaurant (with a beautiful view towards the ocean), and ThaiFoon.

• Westcliff PlazaThis 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), Pizza Bakery, and Capri Blu. You will also see the colorful spectrum of local teen lifestyles.

• Crystal CoveThis 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 is located overlooking the ocean. Stop for a bite to eat.

• Gelato Paradiso

  address: Two locations: 952 Avocado Ave. or Fashion Island Atrium Ct
  Many flavors of very good quality Italian-style gelato and sorbetto. Try the bacio (chocolate and hazelnut).

• Gina's Pizza

  phone: +1 949 725-1144
  address: 4533 Campus Dr
  Located in UC Irvine, just north of Newport Beach. Its delicious pizza, pasta, and salad is considered some of the best in Orange County. Popular with local UCI and UHS students.

• Ho Sum Bistro

  phone: +1 949 675-0896
  address: 3112 Newport Blvd
  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.

• Memphis Cafe

  phone: +1 714 432-7685
  address: 2920 Bristol St., Costa Mesa
  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 12PM and 1PM on weekdays.

• Sugar 'N Spice

  phone: +1 949-673-8907
  address: 310 Marine Ave
  For an inexpensive and tasty treat, order a frozen, chocolate covered banana.

• Sage

  address: Two locations: 2531 Eastbluff (Eastbluff Shopping Center) or 7862 E Coast Hwy (Crystal Cove Promenade)
  Creative gourmet fare. Excellent service. Quiet surroundings.

• Wild Fish

  address: Macarthur and Bison
  Perfectly prepared fish and shellfish. A bit noisy. Open for dinner only.

• Wilma's Patio

  address: 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.

• Sol Grill

  phone: +1 949 723-4105
  address: 110 McFadden Pl
  Good Pasta and Seafood restaurant with live music. As the restaurant is small, reservations are essentiell for weekends

• Rusty Pelican

  phone: +1 949 642-3431
  address: 2735 West Coast Highway
  Very good Seafood restaurant with view of marina

• Sharkeez Baja CantinaFun, has music, but closes at 1AM

• Cabo CantinaGood Happy Hour (10PM to 12AM) nightly with 2 for 1 drinks

• Balboa SaloonYounger crowd, but never really seems busy

• A Restaurant

  phone: +1 949 650-6505
  address: 3334 West Coast Hwy
  Best happy hour in Newport. Rat pack vibe. Just go.

• Mutt Lynch's

  phone: +1 949 675-1556
  address: 2300 W Oceanfront
  A true locals haunt. "A little slice of a California beach community."

• Classic Q

  address: 4251 Macarthur Blvd
  Sports bar with pool tables. Reasonable food

• The Balboa Bay Club & Resort

  phone: +1 949 645-5000
  address: 1221 Coast Highway
  Located on Mariners Mile. Special features: Barber/Beauty Shop on site, Bar/Lounge on site, Restaurant on site, Shops on site, Hot Tub on site, Sauna on site, Fitness Center on site, Bayfront Property, Full Service Spa. $245-$475. Suites: $800-$3000.

• Balboa Inn

  phone: +1 949 675-3412
  address: 105 Main St
  On the Peninsula.

• Bay Shores Inn

  phone: +1 949 675-3463
  address: 1800 W Balboa Blvd
  Near the Newport Pier on the Peninsula.

• Best Western Newport Beach Inn

  phone: +1 949 642-8252
  address: 6208 W Coast Highway
  Across Coast Highway from the beach.

• Holiday Inn Express

  address: 2300 West Coast Hwy
  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.

• The Island Hotel Newport Beach

  phone: +1 949 759-0808
  address: 690 Newport Center Dr
  Across from the Fashion Island shopping center and within walking distance of the Orange County Museum of Art.

• Little Inn By The Bay on the Balboa Peninsula

  phone: +1 949-673-8800
  address: 2627 Newport Blvd
  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.

• Newport Beach Marriott Bayview

  phone: +1 949-854-4500
  address: 500 Bayview Circle
  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.

• Newport Channel Inn

  phone: +1 949 642-3030
  address: 6030 W. Coast Highway

• Radisson Hotel

  phone: +1 949 833-0570
  address: 4545 MacArthur Blvd
  1/2 mile from the John Wayne Airport, near the business districts of Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach.

• 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.