Newport Beach offers barefoot luxury with a blend of sun-drenched beaches and high-end retail. This beachfront city needs no introduction among surfers, anglers, and yachters. Discover the coveted California lifestyle when you visit the best beach in Newport or explore the city’s shopping centers.
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Newport Beach: The Quintessential California Coastal City
Best known for its laid-back surf culture and yacht-filled harbor, Newport Beach encompasses 53 square miles in Orange County’s coastal center. It is bordered by Los Angeles County to the north and San Diego County to the south. Newport beach encompasses Corona Del Mar, Lido Isle, and Balboa Island and Peninsula with first-rate marinas and boating facilities.
With eight to 10 miles of pristine shoreline, Newport Beach is a renowned travel destination for the jet set and thrill seekers. It combines upscale living with a bohemian beach town atmosphere, which distinguishes it from California’s many iconic beachfront communities.
As one of the most affluent cities in Southern California, it offers a vibrant nightlife and restaurant scene along with reputable schools and stunning oceanfront properties. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with ready access to white and gold sand beaches as well as state parks and other recreational spots. Its natural beauty and casual elegance make it perfect for enjoying the great outdoors and the finer things in life.
Newport Beach dates back to 1873 and was initially developed as a lumber terminal called Newport Landing. The city was laid out in 1892 and renamed as Newport. It became an idyllic residential area for those who regularly traveled to the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach for work. The city grew around the yachting, water sports, and commercial fishing industries, which continue to thrive to this day.
EXPLORE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF NEWPORT BEACH
As one of the finest summer destinations in Southern California, Newport Beach offers the ultimate vacation lifestyle with near-perfect weather. If you’re looking for the best beach in Newport, you’ve come to the right place. The beaches in and around the city consistently earn high marks for water quality in the summer season, according to the annual Heal the Bay Beach Report Card.
BREATHTAKING BEACHES
Arguably the best beach in Newport, Corona Del Mar State Beach offers panoramic views of the Pacific. This coastal getaway features a half-mile long beach surrounded by rugged cliffs and a rock jetty that provides access to Newport Harbor. As a popular spot for sunbathing, swimming, and picnicking, the beach is the perfect place to relax. The area also attracts surfers and divers from all over the United States. Its tide pools are also ideal for viewing marine life up close. These rocky basins are often filled with small fish, mussels, anemones, and other sea creatures.
The Balboa Peninsula spans three to four miles. It features a harbor on one side and a wide, sandy beach on the other. As a top beach destination, Balboa Beach is a renowned surf spot. It is also a great spot for swimming and sunbathing. Guests can also enjoy a leisurely walk along Balboa Pier, which commands spectacular views of the ocean and the coastline.
Other highlights include the Newport Balboa Bike Trail and the Ocean Front Walk, the latter of which connects Balboa Pier to Newport Pier. This paved path is a popular spot for jogging, cycling, and skating.
This state park features one of the largest remaining open spaces in Orange County. It features a 3.2-mile beach, natural seashore, and tide pools for swimming, surfing, and marine life viewing. But most remarkably, Crystal Cove State Park features an underwater park and kelp forest spanning 1,000 acres. It is home to one of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems with giant kelp, marine snails, and sea urchins.
The state park also has over 2,400 acres of undeveloped backcountry with hike-in camping and approximately 15 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and bird watching. A 2.5-mile, dog-friendly paved trail meanders along the coastal bluffs of the park.
The Moro Campground is situated on top of a bluff top. It features 30 non-hookup and 27 hookup tent sites, some of which are ADA-accessible and offer fantastic ocean views. The Historic District harbors a collection of 46 seaside cottages along the mouth of Los Trancos Creek. These rustic cottages date back to the 1930s and 1940s.
Newport Municipal Beach offers five miles of soft sand extending north and south of Balboa Pier. Locals come here to swim, surf, sunbathe, and play beach volleyball. It is also an excellent spot for bird watching with seagulls and pelicans in the area.
Visitors can also ride bikes or skate along the nearby bike trail, which extends around most of the Balboa Peninsula. The scenic boardwalk is lined with gorgeous homes that serve as summer rentals for those who want to experience beachfront living.
This small and secluded beach may not be considered the best beach in Newport, but it offers respite from the swell of the crowd in the summer months. Surrounded by rocky reefs, it offers countless opportunities for diving, snorkeling, picnicking, and exploring tide pools filled with eel grass. It also features a well-maintained restroom and shower facility in the summer months.
This renowned surf spot is another contender for best beach in Newport and attracts surfers from all over the world with 30-foot waves. Located on the southeastern tip of the Balboa Peninsula, it also offers ample opportunities for bodysurfing. Swimming is not recommended due to the large, crashing waves. However, visitors can safely watch surfers from the beach. It’s also an excellent spot to catch the sunset and admire the opulent oceanfront mansions surrounding the area.
This small and quiet beach is located on the western edge of the parking area at Corona Del Mar State Beach. Accessible only by foot, this beach features small sea caves, jetties, and mostly calm waters. It is ideal for a peaceful and relaxing day by the ocean.
MESMERIZING SUNSETS
Perched above Pirates Cove, this city park features several benches and fantastic views of the sunset and Balboa Peninsula. The park is often reserved for small wedding ceremonies because of its picturesque setting. It also hosts community events.
Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park
The Balboa Pier stretches into the Pacific Ocean and offers a scenic spot for watching the sunset. Peninsula Park features a biking trail and beach playground. There are also several restaurants and eateries from which to enjoy the sunset.
Known as one of the most popular attractions in Orange County and the largest recreational harbor on the entire West Coast, Newport Harbor spans roughly 10 miles and offers countless opportunities for fishing, swimming, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and of course, catching the sunset. This semi-artificial harbor dates back to the late 1800s and several improvements were made between the 1920s and 1930s.
Sunset Cruise and Private Boat Charter
Going on a cruise is one of the most memorable ways to catch the sunset. Book a cruise with your friends, family, or significant other. Watch the sunset while enjoying a delicious meal or listening to live music on board. There are several companies offering 90-minute cruise tours in and around Newport Beach.
EXPLORE COASTAL ATTRACTIONS
Newport Beach offers many activities on land. From fishing piers to vintage rides, here’s what travelers can look forward to.
Newport Beach Pier at the Balboa Peninsula
This classic wooden pier is a popular fishing spot among the locals. Located at Newport Beach, visitors can walk or bike along the pier with seagulls and pelicans flying overhead. The beach area features gorgeous soft sand and a bike trail for recreational use.
Fashion Island offers high-end retail with more than 100 fashion boutiques, major retailers, beauty salons, and fitness studios. These include Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Bloomingdales, and Nordstrom. It also offers a combination of upscale and casual dining restaurants serving Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Persian, and American fare. With a movie theater and an abundance of green spaces, this dog-friendly shopping center is perfect for a day out with friends or family.
Farmers Markets
The Corona del Mar Certified Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays and offers an assortment of locally sourced produce, fresh flowers, gourmet cheese, and other products. There’s also the Newport Beach Farmers Market, which takes place Sundays at the Newport Beach Pier. It features local farmers and vendors selling fruit, vegetables, bread, eggs, candles, jewelry, and more.
This small artificial island spans just 0.2 square miles and is home to roughly 3,000 residents. A bridge connects the island to the mainland though many visitors prefer to take the Balboa Island Ferry for a more scenic and leisurely means of transportation. There is a walking path around the perimeter of the island to enjoy views of the harbor while getting some exercise. Highlights include Marine Avenue, which is lined with shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants offering everything from bike and paddleboard rentals to donuts, ice cream, and fresh seafood.
This 80-year old coastal amusement park is among the oldest and most iconic in California. This is where families, friends, and couples go to enjoy classic amusement park rides, arcade games, delicious snacks, and sweeping harbor views. Main attractions include the Ferris Wheel and the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. The Balboa Fun Zone is located across from Balboa Pier on the Balboa Peninsula. Formerly known as Abbott’s Landing, the amusement park dates back to 1892 with pleasure rides and overnight stay cottages.
EXPLORE COASTAL ADVENTURES
In addition to its fantastic beaches, Newport Beach offers a diverse range of coastal experiences for the intrepid adventurer.
Whale Watching Excursions
Newport Beach is a top whale watching destination with whales migrating through its waters year-round. Gray whales can be seen as they migrate south to give birth to calves in the winter and early spring. Then they head north with calves in April or May. Blue whales dominate the waters in summer and fall while humpback and minke whales have been spotted around Newport Beach. Visitors can also look forward to the occasional dolphin sighting, with these lovable sea creatures sometimes swimming close to boats around July.
The waters off the city are teeming with marine life and there is always something interesting to see while on a whale watching excursion.
There are several companies offering whale watching trips on boats with spacious viewing decks, snack bars, and restrooms. Guests can choose between large vessels for groups and smaller boats with a more intimate setting. Crew members typically discuss whale migration patterns and other fascinating trivia over an intercom system during whale watching trips.
Also known as the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve, the Back Bay is made up of over 1,000 acres of preserved wetlands where over 35,000 migratory birds and more than 200 endangered species reside. Widely considered as a significant ecological reserve on the West Coast, it is a fantastic recreational area where guests can reconnect with nature.
- The Back Bay Loop Trail stretches for 10.5 miles along coastal wetlands where one can observe migratory birds. This paved path provides access to Mountains to Sea Trail, which spans 22 miles and connects to the Newport Back Bay Trail near the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina.
- The Newport Beach Marriott Bayview offers spectacular views of the wetlands and is within driving distance to shops and restaurants.
- The Newport Aquatic Center and Pirate Coast Paddle Company offer kayak or standup paddle board rentals for those who want to observe aquatic life right on the water. These establishments also host special events and tours, such as standup paddle board yoga and glow-in-the-dark paddle board excursions. The Newport Aquatic Center, in particular, is a first-rate water sports facility offering guided kayak tours and private kayaking lessons.
- The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina and the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach offer lavish accommodations, hearty meals, and family-friendly activities like biking, electric boarding, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding.
- The Newport Dunes Water Park boasts the largest fleet of inflatables and watercraft rentals in Orange County. Located off the coast of Newport Beach, this inflatable water park lets visitors ride pedal boats and LED-illuminated standup paddle boards on million gallons of saltwater.
EXPLORE DINING AND NIGHTLIFE BY THE SEA
Enjoy fantastic food and dance the night away at these events and culinary and nightlife spots in Newport Beach.
Culinary Delights
With a reputation as a top dining destination in Orange County, there are over 400 restaurants in Newport Beach. From fine dining and organic fare, to food trucks and seafood shacks, the city offers a wide range of dining concepts to tease the palate. It also hosts annual events such as Newport Beach Restaurant Week, a 14-day culinary event showcasing the best that the local dining scene has to offer.
Perhaps one of the most exciting ways to enjoy dining in Newport Beach is to book a yacht for a boozy brunch or romantic sunset dinner on the water. Some of these private charters also provide live music in addition to sumptuous food and drinks to help set the mood.
On land, there are several restaurants that offer patio and waterfront dining with sweeping ocean views. Harborside Restaurant is an award-winning establishment that serves excellent steak, fresh seafood, and California wines in historic Balboa Pavilion. There are also a number of bakeries, coffee shops, and specialty stores serving freshly baked goods and artisanal chocolates.
Country Clubs
The city is home to a number of prestigious private clubs that offer resort-style amenities and host social events throughout the year:
- Newport Beach Country Club is an invitation-only club that provides exclusive access to amenities and socials.
- Newport Beach Yacht Club is a members-only club that offers waterfront dining and events with live entertainment, attentive service, and excellent food and drinks.
- Balboa Bay Club features upscale amenities, including a fitness center, spa, and marina. It provides an elegant setting for social gatherings and events.
There are also four private golf courses throughout the city, giving avid golfers the opportunity to improve their skill and meet others who share their passion for the game.
Festivals and Events
Visitors can attend the many festivals and events that take place in Newport Beach throughout the year:
- The Newport Beach Film Festival at the Lido Theater
- The Newport Beach Jazz Festival
- Newport Beach International Film Festival (NBIFF)
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
EXPLORE HOMES FOR SALE IN NEWPORT BEACH, CA
Live close to these world-class attractions and events when you buy a home in Newport Beach. The city offers a wide range of homes ranging from bungalows and coastal cottages to oceanfront estates and mansions. With so many fantastic real estate options in the market, choosing is truly the hard part.
FIND THE PERFECT HOME WITH GEORGINA JACOBSON
Georgina Jacobson and her team of sales associates will help you find a luxury property that meets your exceptional standards. Their extensive knowledge of the market and commitment to client satisfaction will help ensure a smooth transaction.
Experience the difference when you contact the Georgina Jacobson Group at 949.285.8380 or send them a message here.