The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Newport Beach, California Now
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A vacation in Newport Beach, California offers a delightful mix of stunning beaches, outdoor activities, upscale shopping, and dining experiences alike. The city provides numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking and biking trails, golf courses, parks, and nature preserves. The west-facing coastline provides picturesque sunset views over the ocean, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere. Newport Beach is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, including popular spots like Newport Municipal Beach, Balboa Beach and Corona del Mar State Beach.
The city is home to Newport Harbor, one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the West Coast. The harbor is lined with marinas, luxury yachts, and waterfront homes. Visitors can enjoy boat tours, harbor cruises, and water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. Accessible by ferry, Balboa Island is a charming community known for its quaint cottages, boutique shops, art galleries, and the Balboa Fun Zone, a family-friendly amusement area. Newport Beach's combination of natural beauty, outdoor activities, luxury offerings, and coastal charm make it a sought-after destination for travelers seeking a relaxed yet upscale California beach experience. These are the top five reasons why Newport Beach, California should be on your bucket list.
1. A Foodie’s Paradise: The Cuisine + Cocktails
Experience a beautiful Harbor view location that is warm, comfortable and stylish at Tavern House Kitchen + Bar in Newport Beach, California. The ideal locale represents a beach and water oriented lifestyle that many locals enjoy in the golden triangle... Cabo, Hawaii and Newport Beach. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the Watermelon Margarita concocted with Teremana blanco tequila, Cointreau and fresh squeezed lime.
Tavern House Kitchen + Bar in Newport Beach, California
The seafood-oriented menu at Tavern House Kitchen + Bar offers a collection of classic and creative dishes prepared with the highest quality ingredients including organically grown produce, sustainable and properly harvested seafood, and humanely raised poultry and livestock. Favorite dishes include Salmon Crudo with blood orange, capers, Castelvetrano olives and Serrano peppers, French Onion Filet Mignon, the vegetarian Buddha Bowl, Kurobuta Pork Chop, Lamb Noisettes, and Red Snapper Veracruzana. Throughout the year the menu and daily specials will change frequently to take advantage of seasonal offerings.
Don’t second guess dessert at Tavern House Kitchen + Bar. Enjoy one of many decadent sweets such as D's Carrot-Walnut Cake with cream cheese and white chocolate frosting or Bananaggedon with butter pecan ice cream, candied pecans, banana pastry cream, fresh bananas, toffee crumbles, and salty caramel sauce.
2. Artistic Ambiance: Newport Beach Film Festival and Galleries
Newport Beach, California has a vibrant arts scene, with local art galleries, theaters, and cultural events contributing to its cultural richness. The coastal city is home to numerous art galleries that feature a diverse range of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media from both established and emerging artists. Explore the city to discover public art installations and sculptures displayed in parks, along the waterfront, and in other public spaces. These artistic pieces add a creative touch to the urban landscape. Throughout the year, Newport Beach hosts various art festivals and shows, providing opportunities to view and purchase art directly from artists.
Source: Visit Newport Beach
The Festival of Arts and the Sawdust Art Festival in nearby Laguna Beach are two popular events that feature artists from the region. While not exclusively focused on visual art, the Newport Beach Film Festival celebrates filmmaking, a form of artistic expression, with screenings and events. Newport Beach's arts community continually evolves, and there's always something new and exciting to discover. Whether you're an art enthusiast or someone curious about creative expressions, exploring the art scene in Newport Beach can be a rewarding and enriching experience.
3. Luxury Shopping: Fashion Island and Coastal Boutiques
Newport Beach, California, offers a variety of shopping experiences, from upscale boutiques to charming beachside shops. Fashion Island is an upscale open-air shopping center featuring luxury brands, high-end boutiques, department stores such as Neiman Marcus, and fine dining options. It is a premier shopping destination in Newport Beach, offering a sophisticated shopping experience in a beautiful setting.
Source: Fashion Island
On the waterfront, Lido Marina Village is a stylish and chic shopping destination with a collection of unique boutiques, upscale retailers, and trendy restaurants. It has a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, perfect for leisurely shopping and dining. Cannery Village is a historic area in Newport Beach with an eclectic mix of shops, galleries, and restaurants. It's a unique shopping district with a charming vibe. Whether you're in the mood for high-end shopping or browsing through charming boutique shops, Newport Beach has something for every shopper. From beach-themed souvenirs to luxury brands, the city's shopping scene caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
4. Botanic Beauty: Sherman Library and Gardens
Newport Beach, California has beautiful gardens and natural spaces where you can enjoy the outdoors. The Newport Beach Arboretum is a hidden gem located within the Environmental Nature Center. It showcases a variety of native plants and serves as an educational space for visitors to learn about Southern California's ecosystems. Although not a formal garden, Crystal Cove State Park offers a beautiful coastal landscape with bluff-top trails, native plants, and stunning ocean views. It's a wonderful place to connect with nature and explore the natural beauty of the area. Located in nearby Corona del Mar, Sherman Library & Gardens is a botanical oasis featuring meticulously landscaped gardens, exotic plant collections, and serene water features.
Source: Sherman Gardens
The Civic Center Park in Newport Beach features a lovely garden area with native plants, succulents, and drought-tolerant landscaping. The park also offers walking trails, picnic areas, and stunning views of the surrounding hills. While Newport Beach may not have large public botanical gardens, the city's coastal setting and nearby nature preserves provide ample opportunities to immerse yourself in natural beauty and enjoy the outdoors. Whether it's exploring serene gardens or taking in the stunning coastal landscapes, Newport Beach offers a unique and enjoyable experience for nature lovers.
5. Architectural Elegance: Newport Beach Civic Center and Historic Homes
Newport Beach's architecture is an eclectic mix that reflects the city's history, coastal setting, and diverse communities. From historic landmarks to contemporary coastal mansions, the city's architecture adds to its unique character and charm. Given its location on the Southern California coast, Newport Beach features many modern and contemporary homes with clean lines, large windows, and open floor plans. These homes often incorporate outdoor living spaces to take advantage of the coastal climate. Some areas in Newport Beach, particularly on Balboa Island and Corona del Mar, feature beautiful Mediterranean Revival-style homes. These homes often have stucco exteriors, red-tile roofs, and ornate details, drawing inspiration from Spanish and Italian architecture.
In addition to Mediterranean Revival, you can find examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in some historic buildings and homes in Newport Beach. This style is characterized by arched doorways, courtyards, and decorative tilework. Like many Southern California cities, Newport Beach has some examples of mid-century modern architecture, characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes, and integration with the natural surroundings. The historic Balboa Pavilion, located on Balboa Peninsula, is an iconic landmark that showcases the Mission Revival style with its red-tile roof, arched colonnades, and white stucco walls.
WHERE TO STAY IN NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA
Balboa Bay Resort is the only Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond waterfront resort in Newport Beach, California. Situated on 15 prime acres on the bay, the resort is a premier year-round destination offering stunning views and sunsets. Famous guests include Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Jack Benny, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Joan Crawford, Lucy and Desi Arnaz, President George H. W. Bush, President Richard Nixon, and President Gerald Ford. Relax poolside and enjoy a private cabana with a fresh cocktail (like the Oasis Colada) in-hand, as well as lunch in between soaking in the Southern California rays.
