Introduction
Newport Beach is a seaside city in Orange County, California. The city sits along the coast of the Pacific Ocean and has some of the most beautiful beaches in California. Newport Beach has plenty to do: from shopping at its many boutique stores and boutiques or enjoying delicious seafood at one of its many restaurants, there are plenty of things to do for every budget.
Take a stroll around the Balboa Island Ferry
If you’d like to see the city from a different perspective, take a stroll around the Balboa Island Ferry. This is a great way to get out of the city and check out some of the nearby landmarks in Newport Harbor. You’ll get a good idea of how far away some of these places are as well as how they look from above.
Multiple ferries operate in this area, so there’s no shortage of options if you want to ride one! They’re all free too! Some even operate during the day and evening (just make sure to check their hours before making plans). They run every 15 minutes—so don’t miss this chance!
Enjoy fresh seafood at Newport Beach Harbor
- Visit the Newport Beach Harbor. You can’t visit California and not see a coast, so make sure you get out on the water to enjoy some fresh seafood.
- Go to the Newport Beach Pier. If you want to eat at one of the restaurants on this pier, it’s best to get there early! The place will be packed with locals and tourists alike who are all trying to get in and eat their fill before heading back home (or moving on from there).
- Enjoy fresh seafood at Fish Market Restaurant & Sushi Bar. This is one of the most popular places for seafood lovers because they have so many options available: oysters, ceviche, crab cakes…the list goes on! Plus if you’re looking for something healthy but filling try their grilled salmon salad or grilled shrimp tacos – both are delicious!
Go shopping
- Fashion Island, the largest of the island’s shopping centers, is a major draw for both locals and tourists. Located just south of Newport Beach, it has dozens of stores to check out—from designer boutiques to department stores. If you’re looking for something specific and can’t find it here, then go ahead and venture over to the nearby South Coast Plaza or The Outlets in Orange County.
- Balboa Peninsula is another great place for shoppers. The area has some high-end stores like Gucci and Tiffany & Co., but it also features more affordable shops like H&M, Forever 21, and Banana Republic (to name a few). You’ll find a little bit of everything here!
- The Irvine Spectrum Center offers another assortment of shopping options for visitors who don’t mind driving an extra 20 minutes from their hotel in Newport Beach or Costa Mesa. There are more than 250 retailers on-site including Nordstrom Rack as well as restaurants such as PF Chang’s China Bistro where you can grab lunch while out shopping with friends or family members during your vacation vacation vacation vacation vacation!!!!
Visit the Costa Mesa Farmer’s Market
If you’re looking for a taste of the local culture, then check out the Costa Mesa Farmer’s Market. It’s open every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm and features more than 100 vendors selling all kinds of goodies around the theme of fresh food. You’ll find farmers, bakers, chefs, and artisans selling everything from produce to flowers and crafts to clothes.
it’s a great place to hit up if you need some inspiration for your next dinner party or just want to pick up something special for yourself. The market also has free parking on site so you don’t have to worry about scrounging around town for change on Sunday mornings before heading home! If that wasn’t enough incentive: there are tons of samples to sample too!
Relax on Corona Del Mar State Beach
Corona del Mar State Beach is located in Newport Beach, California. It is a very popular place to go for families and couples on Sundays because it is open to the public from 7 am-6 pm every day. If you want to go during the weekdays, it’s best to check out their website or call them first before going there as they may be closed during those days due to maintenance issues.
You can get there by taking I-405 North, exiting Pacific Coast Highway North, and continuing driving until you see Koval Lane on your left side (about 4 miles). Make sure that no one in your car takes any valuables with them because burglaries are common at this beach!
Once you park your car at Corona Del Mar State Beach Parking Structure 1A which costs $10 per vehicle or $16 for longer stays like overnight stays then walk towards the beach area where several picnic tables are available for people who want an outdoor seat while enjoying their food before having fun surfing or swimming in the water with friends/family members close by.”
Visit the Orange County Museum of Art
You can visit The Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach. This museum is located near Triangle Square and includes many modern pieces. If you are not a museum-type person, there are interesting sculptures around the outside of this place as well as a butterfly garden inside.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is free on Thursdays but there are a variety of events that you can attend if you would like to spend time there (exhibits, lectures).
The Sherman Library & Gardens
The Sherman Library & Gardens is a botanical garden and library containing a large collection of rare books. The gardens are open to the public and feature a variety of plants and flowers.
Founded in 1964, the Sherman Library & Gardens was originally built as a private residence by William Norris Sherman, who used the property to grow his plants. In 1970, he donated his house and gardens to the city of Newport Beach to be used as part of its park system; it has since become one of California’s best-known botanical gardens.
Golf at the Big Canyon Country Club
It’s a private club, but you can still enjoy the scenery and play golf at Big Canyon Country Club. The club is known for its beautiful grounds and friendly staff. If you’re looking for something different than playing on the beach or going to museums, check out this course that has been around since before World War II.
Visit the Sherman Library and Gardens
If you’re looking for an out-of-this-world experience, then check out the Sherman Library and Gardens, located in Corona del Mar. This unique museum is home to many unique gardens and art pieces, including a famous blue marble sculpture by artist William King. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a Wednesday evening during the summer, they also host free concerts featuring some of the best musicians in California!
The Irvine Museum is open from 9 am until 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday (closed on Sundays) so there’s plenty of time for you to explore everything it has to offer.
Watch a play at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts
The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a performing arts center located in Costa Mesa, California. Opened in 1986, it is home to the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and also hosts other performing arts events such as dance festivals, comedies, and plays. The center is located on the Orange County Fairgrounds.
The Center was built in 1986 by Marguerite Segerstrom with her husband Henry T. Segerstrom’s donation of 7 million dollars, bringing together three organizations under one roof: The Pacific Symphony Orchestra; Ballet Heritage Dance Company; Santa Ana Civic Light Opera Association (now Costa Mesa Civic Theatre).
Discover the Corona del Mar State Beach
Even if you’re not a scuba diver, Corona del Mar State Beach is worth a visit. The beach is located just off Newport Avenue, on the border between Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. The sand here varies in color from black to brown to gray—and is often covered with seaweed. But don’t let that scare you away!
The Corona del Mar State Beach has several amenities for visitors, including showers and restrooms near the parking lot area, picnic tables along its 1-mile stretch (which can accommodate up to 500 people), lifeguards on duty during summer months (April through September), volleyball nets available for rent at $15 an hour or $30 per day (the volleyball courts are open from 5:00 am-10:00 pm), plus free Wi-Fi access (provided by T-Mobile) along the beachfront path running parallel to Coast Highway 1A towards Balboa Island.
There are also many different ways to get here: public transportation services such as OCTA buses run regular routes along Nisson Parkway; taxis are available 24/7; personal vehicles can park either in designated spots for cars only or at metered spaces nearby; bikes will have no problem navigating along Coast Highway 1A using adjacent bike lanes.
One special event you wouldn’t want to miss out on while visiting this part of town would be the “Newport Seafood Festival” held annually during Labor Day weekend each year since 1981!
Look at art at the Newport Harbor Art Museum
The Newport Harbor Art Museum, located in the historic Balboa Pavilion, is a great place to take your family. The museum is free and open daily. The permanent collection of over 3,000 works includes paintings, photography, and glass art by artists such as Edward Hopper and Jacob Lawrence.
Visitors can also view traveling exhibits from around the world; past shows have included graffiti art from New York City to the work of contemporary Native American artists. If you’re not interested in an exhibition at the moment, check out their permanent collection anyway—there are plenty of reasons why this museum should be on your list!
Explore the Irvine Spectrum Center
Irvine Spectrum Center is a shopping and entertainment complex that’s been open since 2001. With over 100 stores, restaurants, and attractions to choose from, this is a great place to take the family—or just have some fun by yourself. You can find all the usual suspects here: American Eagle Outfitters, Nordstrom Rack, and Under Armour are just three of the world-famous brands you’ll find here.
There’s also a good selection of fast food joints if you’re looking for something quick or fancy dining options like Yard House or Seasons 52 if you want to go big on your trip. The Irvine Spectrum Center has lots of free parking available so it’s easy to get out and about when visiting!
The Irvine Spectrum Center is located near John Wayne Airport as well as Disneyland Resort so it’s a great spot for travelers who want convenience but don’t want their fun limited by location restrictions (like paying for parking at an amusement park).
Newport Beach has one of California’s best waterfronts
While the beaches in Newport Beach are not as well known as its neighboring cities, they’re worth visiting. It’s a great place for a stroll or runs on the boardwalk, or even just to grab a bite at one of the many restaurants that line it.
The water is also clean enough here that you can go swimming or snorkeling if you want (and there are plenty of spots where you can rent equipment). If you’re looking for something more active than just hanging out on the beach at sunset, sign up for one of their organized events like a triathlon or surfing lesson!
Conclusion
There is so much to do in Newport Beach, California. You can enjoy a stroll around the Balboa Island Ferry, relax with fresh seafood at Newport Beach Harbor or shop at all the boutiques in town. If you love art and architecture then make sure not to miss out on visiting The Sherman Library & Gardens, Irvine Spectrum Center, and Segerstrom Center for the Arts!
