The Top 10 Things To Do In Newport Beach 2024
#10 - Beach and Piers
An expansive beach of sparkling sand awaits you at Newport Beach. Great for laying out, splashing around, and a day of fun in the sun! It boasts two piers near delicious food and bars with houses lining the path that are fabulous for families to share. We loved the feel of this beach and took advantage of its Read Moregreat bike path. It continues to Huntington Beach and offers miles of gorgeous ocean views. A very beautiful beach and surrounding neighborhoods with so much to do!
#9 - Boardwalk
Add to the vacation fun with this upbeat and beachy stop! Lots of fair rides, an arcade, Balboa Fun Zone, boat rentals, kayaking, paddle boarding, whale watching, and so much more to do! Stop in to grab a bite at one of their seaside restaurants or pop in for a quick pizza or snow cone along the boardwalk. Take Read Morehome a souvenir from one of the many tourist shops and better yet, delight your taste buds with some saltwater taffy.
#8 - Water Sports
If you want to get out on the water for some summer fun, then you’ll have no shortage of options when visiting Newport! There are plenty of shops to get rentals, such as Balboa Water Sports, Boardwalk Sports, and Southwind Kayak Center. You can rent jet skis, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and more! Read MoreLooking for some romance on the water? Take a ride with Gondola Adventures, Inc, where you can enjoy a chauffeured gondola ride. You can also go sailing, with half-day, full-day, or sunset options. If it exists on the water, then you can probably find it during your visit to Newport.
#7 - Go For a Bike Ride
You can easily rent a bike here and head up, or down, the beautiful coastline! We rode the full expanse along the glistening waters to the Huntington Beach Pier. (Great beach too!) The weather was amazing in July and the bike trail was safe and easily accessible. We even went up a bit to ride along the estuary to Read Morecheck out some of the marshland life. There are bathrooms, cafes, and endless views along the way. You can also choose to head south from Newport Beach toward Crystal Cove and Laguna Beach. There are also many fun group bike tours to choose from. Very pleasant way to experience enjoyment and exercise at the same time!
#6 - Restaurants and Bars
Half of the fun of any trip is discovering and enjoying some new food and drinks. And that’s no different for a trip to Newport. You’ll find some delicious food near the pier, including Rockin’ Baja Lobster for some seafood/Mexican treats and 21 Oceanfront for some steak and cocktails. Read MoreAnother area with great choices lies along the bay, where you’ll find local favorites like the Rusty Pelican and Billy’s at the Beach. There is also great dining at Lido Marina Village, and different spots around the city. There’s almost an endless amount of dining options, from seafood to street tacos, so be sure to make some reservations and enjoy the hometown fare during your visit.
#5 - Lido Marina Village
Visit here for a trendy and chic shopping experience along the harbor waterfront. Grab a cup of Joe or lunch with friends at Circle Hook or Malibu Farm before stopping in one of the many high-end boutiques. These include elevated fashion at Velvet By Graham and Spencer, home decor from Serena Read Moreand Lily, and beauty care at the Cos Bar. They also have a bookstore, stationery store, and beach attire shops. Afterward, you might even catch dinner or drinks at Zinque with a view! This is also a great area to rent an electric boat and cruise along the water or take some selfie-worthy photos. It is within walking or biking distance from the main Newport pier and brings a hip feel to the beach vibe.
#4 - Crystal Cove State Park
A leading California destination, this state beach has over 3 miles of pristine beaches and over 2,000 acres of woodlands, making it great for beachgoers, hikers, and campers. The cove is used by both mountain bike riders on the land and scuba divers underwater. One of the highlights of the area is the famous Read MoreBeachcomber Cafe, which features delicious fare, including their popular Beachcomber Beignets (yum!). Behind the bar are the picturesque, state park-run, vintage Crystal Cove beach cottages. Originally built in the 1920s and 30s, they’re rented to the public up to six months in advance, but it’s competitive to nab a reservation. It’s a beautiful area with plenty to do and see!
#3 - Fashion Island
Visit in style by shopping at this world-class outdoor mall. It features big-name department stores, such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom, as well as high-end boutique stores to get you dressed for your vacay. Fashion Island also boasts a movie theater and great dining options. Read MoreTake in a meal at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine, Fig and Olive, or Fleming’s Steakhouse, or grab a quick bite and enjoy the vibrant open-air courtyard with ocean views. There are plenty of choices, making this a great stop for every one.
#2 - Balboa Island
This man-made gem is an upscale community located along the harbor. You can drive or walk in on the north side, take a ferry from the south (at the Balboa Fun Zone), or boat into one of their several public docks. The island has many clothing stores, bakeries, and restaurants to choose from. However, the Read Moreone must-do is a visit to Sugar’n Spice, the original frozen banana stand. Be sure to get either one of their covered frozen bananas or one of their famous Balboa Bars! Another fun stop is at the Balboa Island Museum, which is free and can teach you a ton of interesting facts about the area.
#1 - Visit Nearby Beaches
Newport Beach is centrally located between many other great beach cities in Orange County. You can hop on the Pacific Coast Highway in either direction and run into another beach town full of its own activities and charm. Travel west/north to Huntington Beach and stop by Main St, home to many surf Read Moreshops and restaurants like Duke’s Huntington Beach and Fred’s Mexican Cafe. Or head south and hit the beautiful Corona Del Mar or Laguna Beach. Peruse their many art shops, grab a bite to eat, or relax along the water.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Newport Beach? With average temperature highs between 78-87, the months of May, June, July, September, and October are the best months to visit Newport Beach. Those months will provide perfect days to enjoy the beach and warm nights to enjoy the restaurants and bars. If we had to pick only one month? We’d pick June. Read More
Is Newport Beach worth a visit? As lifetime Southern California residents, we absolutely love Newport and would highly recommend it, especially for families. The beach is deep and very spacious, there’s a ton of activity rentals, and there are countless restaurants. The boardwalk provides even more things to do such as carnival-style rides and shopping. For these reasons and more, Newport Beach is worth a visit.
How do I spend a day in Newport Beach? We like to start our day with some coffee from Newport Coffee Company and some donuts from Seaside Donuts Bakery (expect a line!). Then we walk to the sand and spend our day reading and playing on the beach. We’ll spend the whole day near the water with breaks only for lunch, snacks, and dinner!
What is the nicest part of Newport Beach? Newport Beach has a lot of nice areas, including Balboa Island and Balboa Fun Zone, but we always like to stay near the Newport Pier. The pier lines up with 21st Street and offers many restaurants, shopping, and rentals. Any rental between 17th and 25th street provides a reasonable walk to the pier.
Is Newport Beach nicer than Huntington Beach? Both beaches are great! Both offer unique restaurants and beach experiences. Since they’re very close in proximity to each other, it’s easy to visit both!