The Ultimate Newport Beach Experience

DAY ONE:

Start off your California coastal vacation exploring the picturesque waterways that make Newport Beach such a popular destination. Slip on your swimsuit and sandals and join up with China Cove Kayak Adventures for a kayak tour of the seven islands of Newport Harbor. Accompanied by an informative and entertaining guide, you’ll paddle up to famous homes once owned by movie stars such as Shirley Temple and John Wayne. A stop along the way takes you to Pirates Cove, a popular beach area depicted in the opening sequence of “Gilligan’s Island.” There, hunt for seashells, sand crabs and other “pirate’s booty,” or enjoy a well-deserved rest on the sand. Sea lions, pelicans and seals are often seen in this area of the bay, so don’t forget your waterproof camera! This four-hour tour concludes with a tasty lunch at the waterfront Back Bay Café.

After your morning adventure, go for a relaxing drive down Mariner’s Mile on Pacific Coast Highway, known for its harbor-view restaurants and all things nautical. Continue on down to historic Cannery Village and stop by Alta Coffee for a snack. Delight in the aroma of fresh brewed coffee or nibble on a homemade blueberry muffin while you visit the galleries and unique shops in this artsy little village.

Your day wouldn’t be complete, however, without a meal at one of Newport Beach’s finest seafood restaurants. Put on your plastic bib, roll up your sleeves, and dive into some fresh crab at The Crab Cooker. Owner Bob Roubian is an accomplished fisherman who has become a world-renowned expert on fish and seafood. Kids love the fact that for once it’s okay to eat with their hands, while adults appreciate the healthy and fresh food. This Newport Beach landmark is sure to impress even the toughest of critics!

Of course, you don't have to drive!!! Skip China Cove..you can rent kayaks two blocks away from Casa de Balboa and walk to both the Crab Cooker (again two blocks away) and Alta (Cannery area).

DAY TWO:

Shopping at Fashion Island, southern California’s premier open-air retail center, is no speed-through at the mall – it’s a shopping experience! Flower-filled courtyards, a Koi pond surrounded by ivy-covered arbors, breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a Venetian carousel give new meaning to the term “retail therapy.” Oh, and did we mention the 100,000 sq. ft. of boutiques, restaurants and nationally recognized stores, including Orange County’s only Bloomingdale’s and Nieman Marcus?

Once you’ve satisfied your craving for fabulous finds, sample the fare at one of Fashion Island’s 40-plus restaurants and cafés. Decisions, decisions… Do you want Asian, Italian, Mexican, or French cuisine? Casual, to-go or sit down? No matter, Fashion Island has it all, with popular choices including Thaifoon – Taste of Asia , Wahoo’s Fish Tacos , Rouge Bistro & Bar, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine , and the food court with 10 different options.

While in the Fashion Island area, be sure to visit the Orange County Museum of Art. Filled with exhibits ranging from historical to contemporary, this journey of visual artistry is sure to inspire your inner artist.

Replete with cultural enlightenment and luxurious shopping, further hone your taste for opulence with a sophisticated – and scrumptious – meal at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Known for its contemporary and stylish atmosphere, Fleming’s steaks are hand-cut daily to ensure you receive the very best in quality. To complement your meal, indulge in one of the 100 varieties of wine on the restaurant’s award-winning wine list.

DAY THREE:

Get ready to revert back to your childhood as you head down to the Balboa area for a day of fun and excitement! Soar to the skies on the Ferris wheel, take a turn on the merry-go-round, or play arcade games and drive ‘em crazy on the bumper cars at the Balboa Fun Zone, which dates all the way back to 1936.

Once the kid in you is satisfied, rent a Duffy electric boat from Balboa Boat Rentals and turn the wheel toward Newport Harbor, where waterfront mansions and million-dollar yachts compete with the scenery. Looking for a little more excitement and exertion? Consider renting a kayak, or if you’re really skilled with watercraft, set out for the open seas on a sailboat.

After you turn in your captain’s hat, take to the water again, but this time leave the driving to someone else. The Balboa Ferry has connected visitors and residents of the Balboa Peninsula to Balboa Island for nearly a century. Today, this four-minute quintessential Newport Beach experience costs riders on foot 60 cents and vehicles $1.20, but the memory is priceless.

With all this seafaring, beware the dreaded scurvy – a disease attributed to too little fruit intake that often afflicted sailors of old. Just in case, stop by Sugar n’ Spice on Balboa Island and pick up a frozen banana. Practically an institution on the island, frozen bananas are dipped in chocolate and smothered in a variety of toppings, from peanut shavings and sprinkles to cookie crumbs and Heath pecan crunch. On a warm California day, they’re heaven on a stick!

Take advantage of the resulting sugar rush and explore Balboa Island’s main street, Marine Avenue, where quaint souvenir shops are interspersed with unique boutiques selling “island casual” couture. Wander the boardwalk that encircles the island and view the architectural mix of homes that make Balboa known as the “ Cape Cod” of the West coast. Learn how this man-made island was built, and see memorabilia of past residents – including old photographs and personal memoirs – at the Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society.

Now that you’ve walked up an appetite, you’ll be ready for some Italian home cookin’ at Amelia’s on Balboa Island. For more than 45 years, Amelia’s has prepared arguably the best pasta and seafood Newport Beach has to offer. One of the oldest family restaurants in Orange County, this cozy landmark serves fine wines, several fresh fish dishes and delicacies such as linguini with baby calamari and lobster thermidor.

DAY FOUR:

Put on your walking shoes, grab a camera, and join Mickey and the gang for a day of excitement at Disneyland! With the popular theme park celebrating its 50 th anniversary this year – along with new attractions at California Adventure and Downtown Disney – there’s never been a better time to visit. Be sure to check out the newly-remodeled Space Mountain, as well as classics such as the Matterhorn and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

If you’ve already done Disney, consider a visit to Knott’s Berry Farm, an amusement park alternative featuring stomach-dropping roller coasters, Wild West attractions and Mrs. Knott’s famous chicken dinner.

So you wanna be a star…? Drive up to Universal Studios in Hollywood and set the scene for a day of fun! Take a tour of the famous back lot where movies such as “Back to the Future” and “Jaws” were filmed, gasp as stuntmen perform feats of daring during live adventure shows, or roam with the dinosaurs on the “ Jurassic Park” thrill ride.

DAY FIVE:

Assuming you weren’t discovered in Hollywood, start your day with a leisurely breakfast on Camelot Restaurant’s waterfront patio. This hole-in-the-wall breakfast spot on Newport Harbor offers all the traditional fare – pancakes, waffles, French toast and omelettes – along with a few not-so-standard specialties. Filet mignon benedict anyone?

Are you ready to feel the sun on your face, the sand between your toes, and the wind in your hair? Well, slather on the sunscreen because today you’re headed down to the beaches of Newport (Great news!!! You're already here!! No need to drive once at Casa de Balboa!!). Stake claim to a sandy spot, then soak up the warm weather and laidback southern California lifestyle. Looking for a little adventure? Rent a boogie board from Boardwalk Shops at the Newport Pier and ride the medium-sized waves between the Newport and Balboa piers. If you have a hankering for the hard core (or a death wish), hang ten at “The Wedge,” a renowned surfing spot where 10 to 25 ft. waves challenge even the most fearless daredevil.

Hungry already? Duck into Henry’s Grocery and grab a snack to go, then set out to find the distinctive surf shops found only in Newport Beach. PJ’s Surfrider stocks the latest clothing and surf gear from popular brands like Quiksilver, Roxy and RipCurl, while The Beach Store sells all manner of kitschy souvenirs to make the relatives back home happy.

Once you wash the sand out of your hair, set sail with Hornblower Cruises & Events on one of their signature yachts. Whether you take a leisurely stroll on deck during an afternoon Champagne Brunch Cruise, or don your dancing shoes for the evening Dinner Dance Cruise, you’re sure to be in for an extravagant treat. Both cruises include gourmet cuisine, first-class service, and live entertainment.

DAY SIX:

Paradise is only 26 miles away when you board the Catalina Flyer for your Catalina Island day trip. You’ll set sail in the morning from the Balboa Pavilion and reluctantly return at sundown after a blissful day of fun on California’s only island resort destination. Away from the frenzied pace of mainland life, Catalina Island is like the place that time forgot – open-front restaurants line the beach boardwalk, fishermen rise early to cast their nets, and residents use golf carts to get around. In addition to the friendly locals, you’ll find an abundance of island activities to easily fill an afternoon. Unleash your inner-cowboy with a horseback ride on the beach, tour the iconic Catalina Casino, or slip on some fins and snorkel with a school of vibrantly colored fish.

DAY SEVEN:

Today is your last chance for some peace and quiet before returning to the hustle and bustle of everyday life, so set out for the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve for a day of bird watching and exploration. As Southern California’s largest estuary, this saltwater marsh is more than three-and-a-half miles long and a half mile wide, and is home to thousands of different bird species. See if you can spot a brown pelican, a Belding savannah sparrow or a peregrine falcon.

Once you’re feeling a bit more “grounded,” it’s just a short drive to Bluewater Grill on Lido Peninsula. According to Zagat, Bluewater Grill offers "the quintessential casual Newport Beach repast," with 20 different varieties of fresh fish available daily. While you wait for your meal, take a tour around the main dining area, where historic black-and-white fishing photographs put you in the mood for seafood.

After lunch, pay homage to your maritime meal by proceeding to Crystal Cove State Beach to investigate its famous tide pools brimming with crabs, lobsters, sea urchins, and sea anemones. Take a guided educational tour, or explore independently and at your own pace. Nature lovers also enjoy the area’s hiking, biking and beach walking.

Round out your California coastal vacation with a sumptuous dinner at The Arches in Newport Beach. Made famous as a celebrity hangout in the era of Shirley Temple, Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne, the 83-year-old restaurant continues to be a popular hotspot due to its recurring role on “The O.C.” television show. Tuxedoed waiters, dark paneled walls and linen-covered tables evoke a private club atmosphere, perfect for a romantic night on the town. Known for its award-winning Caesar salad, The Arches also offers international cut lamb chops, prime rib, and if you’re really daring – frog legs. Top off your meal with a selection from their list of more than 175 spectacular wines.
 

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