'''Newport Beach''' [http://www.newportbeach-cvb.com] 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 low, low budget. The area code for all of Newport Beach is 949.
Get in
'''By air''', '''John Wayne Airport''' (SNA) is conveniently located on the border of Newport Beach, Irvine, and Santa Ana. If you are arriving at '''Los Angeles International''' (LAX) or '''Long Beach''' (LGB), take the 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 [http://www.octa.net] for more information.
'''By car''', take '''Highway 1''' or the 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
'''Orange County Transportation Authority''' (see above for link to website) has a transit center in Newport Beach where Routes 1, 55, 57, 75, 76 and 79 converge at Fashion Island. Routes 1, 47 and 71 serve the beaches and the Balboa Peninsula.
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 amongst 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''', 850 San Clemente Drive, 949-759-1122 email:info@ocma.net fax: 949-759-5623, [http://www.ocma.net]. Tu-Su 11AM-5PM, Th 11AM-8PM. 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 Center'''- 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.
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. 00 E. Bay Avenue. n the Balboa Fun Zone. 1 949 673-3377. hnm@nhnm.org. -M: 10AM-6PM. dults: $5.00. Children under 12: Free. This museum gives an introduction to the extensive maritime history of this area.
'''Balboa Island''' 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
''' Newport Beach Film Festival''', [http://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com/index.php]. The 10 day festival features over 300 short and feature length films. 253-2880; e-mail:info@newportbeachfilmfest.com; Starting at $10; ''April''
''' Balboa Island Art Walk''', along South Bayfront Drive on Balboa Island, [http://www.balboaislandartwalk.com]. Over 100 artists showing and selling their work, ranging from paintings to sculptures to jewelry. Free. ''May''
'''Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series''', [http://www.summerjazzseries.com]. Summer long Jazz music festival on two stages. Held at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. Recorded Information: 729-6400; e-mail:promoter@jazzconcerts.com; $40-$175. ''May-October.''
''' Newport Dunes 4<sup>th</sup> of July Celebration''', 1131 Back Bay Drive ''at Newport Dunes Resort'', [http://www.newportdunes.com]. 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 Expo''', [http://www.lidoyachtexpo.com/]. Exhibit of the latest and greatest in yachts. The event takes place at the Lido Marina Village. 757-5959, e-mail:boatshow@goboatingamerica.com. Adults $10; 12 and under free. ''September.''
''' Taste of Newport''', Newport Center Drive at Fashion Island. 729-4400, (''e-mail: info05@tasteofnewport.com''), [http://www.tasteofnewport.com]. Annual food, wine and music festival featuring selections from Newport Beach restaurants. Presale - $17; at the gate - $20; Under 8 - Free. ''September.''
'''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!!!
'''Sandcastle Contest''',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.''
''' Christmas Boat Parade''', 729-4400, [http://www.christmasboatparade.com/]. 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.''
Balboa Fun Zone. 00 E. Bay Avenue. ttp://www.thebalboafunzone.com/. u-Th 11AM-6PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM. 1.50 per ticket or 20 tickets for $25 (number of tickets required vary with attraction. funzone@sbcglobal.net. Located near the Balboa Pavillion, the Fun Zone has a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, rock wall, arcade, and bungee jump.
Buy
'''Fashion Island''', The premiere shopping center in Newport Beach, this is a beautiful outdoor mall with great landscaping, and fountains of every decription. 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 Plaza''', 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), Pizza Bakery, and Capri Blu.
'''Crystal Cove''', This is located 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.
Eat
'''The Crab Cooker'''.
'''Joe's Crab Shack'''.
'''Chat Noir''', in nearby Costa Mesa. Romantic French jazz supper club.
'''Mi Casa'''. Terrific Mexican food, in nearby Costa Mesa
'''Taco Mesa''', in nearby Costa Mesa. Award winning Mexican food. Located on 19th street across from the DMV.
Sugar 'N Spice. 10 Marine Avenue. 1-949-673-8907. For an inexpensive and tasty treat, order a frozen, chocolate covered banana.
Gina's Pizza. 533 Campus Dr.. 949) 725-1144. ttp://www.ginaspizza.com/locations.html. rice: moderate. 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.
Drink
'''Sharkeez Baja Cantina'''
'''Cabo Cantina'''
'''Balboa Saloon'''
Sleep
'''Holiday Inn Express''', 2300 West Coast Hwy,''+1 800'' 308-5401, Fax ''+1 949'' 631-5659, [http://www.HieNewportBeach.com]Newly-renovated.
'''Newport Beach Vacation Rentals''',-Burr White Realty- 2901 Newport Blvd., Reservations: 949.675.4630, Toll Free: 800.944.0952, Email: beach@burrwhite.com. [http://www.BurrWhite.com]. Located on the Newport Beach Peninsula. Offering oceanfront, bayfront, & oceanside fully furnished & fully stocked vacation homes on the beach & the bay.
''' Little Inn By The Bay on the Balboa Peninsula''', 2627 Newport Blvd.; Reservations: 800-438-4466; local phone:949-673-8800, fax: 949-673-4943, e-mail: reservations@littleinnbythebay.com. Located on Balboa Peninsula by Newport Beach Pier offers Free Use of Beach Cruisers & Free Wi-Fi. $79-$299.
'''Newport Channel Inn''', 6030 W. Coast Highway; Reservations: 800 255-8614, local phone: 642-3030, fax: 650-2666, e-mail: innkeeper@newportchannelinn.com. Located on Pacific Coast Highway in the north-east part of Newport Beach near the border with Huntington Beach. $59-$199.
'''Radisson Hotel''', 4545 MacArthur Blvd.; 833-0570, fax: 833-3927, e-mail: genr@radissonnewportbeach.com. 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.
'''Balboa Inn''', 105 Main Street, 675-3412, Toll-free: 877-BAL-BOA9, Fax: 673-4587, e-mail: info@balboainn.com. On the Peninsula. $139-$269; Suites: $299-$599.
'''Best Western Newport Beach Inn''', 6208 W Coast Highway, 642-8252, Fax: 642-2538. Across Coast Highway from the beach. $119-$259.
'''Bay Shores Inn''', 1800 W Balboa Boulevard, 675-3463, Toll-free: (800) 222-6675, Fax: 675-4977. Near the Newport Pier on the Pennisula. $199-$269. Suites: $219-$499
'''Newport Beach Marriott''', 900 Newport Center Drive, 640-4000, Fax: 640-5055.
'''Newport Beach Marriott Bayview''', 500 Bayview Circle; 949-854-4500, Fax: 949-854-3937.[http://marriott.com/npbst]. 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.
'''The Balboa Bay Club & Resort''', 1221 Coast Highway; 645-5000,, Toll-free:888-445-7153 e-mail: reservations@balboabayclub.com. 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.
'''The Island Hotel Newport Beach''', 690 Newport Center Drive; 759-0808, Fax: 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.
'''Casa de Balboa Newport Beach Vacation Rentals''', 229 19th St., Balboa Newport Beach, Reservations: 949-673-3770, Email: Pam@casadebalboa.com. Offering luxury beachfront vacation homes in a quiet family area. Walk to restaurants and shops. Mi Casa es su Casa!
Get out
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.