Travel Guide | Newport Beach, CA
One of the dreamiest beach towns, perfect for a girls trip, summer couples getaway, or just a day trip. Newport Beach has upscale shopping, fresh and healthy food, and relaxing activities. It is an easy place to travel with kids because you can stay in one area and explore from there.
Stay:
Lido House - favorite hotel in the area, close to shops & food, excellent hotel amenities
Airbnb Luxurious Beach Cottage - Bright, modern house for a family vacay
Airbnb Affordable 2 bed/1bath - steps from the beach. Simple, but perfect for a small group who care more about location than luxury
Airbnb Bright Surf Bungalow - So cute, and great location near the beach
Eat:
Malibu Farms Lido Marina - farm to table, brunch or dinner - can’t go wrong here!
Buddha’s Favorite - fresh & creative sushi
Skal Pizza - woodfired pizza
Bear Flag Fish Company - fresh fish tacos, poke, fish market
TRU Superfood Bowls - create your own acai bowl
Rose Bakery Cafe - down the coast about 10 mins from Newport, yummy breakfast burritos, bagel sandwiches, pastries
Sidecar Donuts - unique & fun donuts that taste SO fresh
Seaside Donuts Bakery - right on the beach, great to ride your bike to in the morning, classic donuts
Rye Goods - bakery at Lido Marina Village
Daydream Coffee & Surf Shop - chill hangout surf shop, coffee shop & breakfast foods
Shake Shake - @ Crystal Cove, casual, shakes and burgers overlooking the ocean
The Beachcomber @ Crystal Cove - sit down restaurant right on the beach, great for any meal
Handel’s Ice Cream - right off the beach, great for any time of day
The Crack Shack - crazy good fried chicken
Eat Chow - Casual eclectic American food, great for breakfast
North Italia - good vibes, homemade pasta and italian donuts!, located near JW airport
Taco Mesa - high quality tacos!
MoonGoat Coffee - industrial-chic coffee shop, with weekend brunch
See & Do:
Rent a duffy boat and cruise around Newport peninsula - SO fun for a group, party, couples or family. We used Newport Harbor Boat Rentals & had a great experience!
Take the ferry to Balboa Island - bring cash ($1.50/pp) to pay onboard the ferry. Walk from the ferry terminal around Balboa Island. Be sure to stop on the main street to get Balboa bars/banana on a stick from Sugar & Spice.
Go shopping at Lido Marina Village - upscales shopping center that is so charming!
Walk the pier - Newport peninsula has multiple piers to explore
Rent bikes and explore Newport Beach - lots of bike/cruiser rentals on the peninsula
Rent paddleboards or surf boards
Corona del Mar State Beach Park/Inspiration Point - beautiful smaller beach with rocks and views
Drive down the coast to Crystal Cove - walk the beach, explore the tide pools, get some food at the Shake Shack, hike around the trails
Day trip to Disneyland - obviously.
Go Shopping at Fashion Island - massive mall with all the good stores
Beach day at Corona Del Mar State Park & watch sunset from Inspiration Point
Day trip to Catalina Island - take an hour long ferry over to this stunning island and have a beach day or go hiking