Newport Beach is a favorite California coast holiday destination. So as you can guess there are lots of things to do here, and most of it is centered around the beach or shopping.
Note: The links to companies are provided for your convenience and were selected from various sources. Neither the HHC 2003 Conference nor this author are endorsing any of the merchants lists, we are not receiving any compensation, and take no responsibility for the actions of the merchants. If you have any problems with a merchant, please do not ask us to intervene.
The Pacific Ocean and the Beach
Newport harbor is one of the largest private yacht harbors in the country. Plus there are some nice beaches here. Rather than list them all here, I’d suggest you visit this page from the Newport Beach Visitor’s Bureau.
But I’ll provide a few suggestions of my own:
If you don’t mind a long walk, you can reach the Newport Back Bay in about 4Km from the hotel. The Upper Back Bay is a wildlife preserve with numerous species of aquatic birds. You will find a bike/walking path that follows the southern edge of the Back Bay.
Balboa Island Web and Peninsula are also great for walking around. In this case, take a taxi to Jamboree and Bayside drive (South of Coast Hwy) and then walk across the Balboa Island Bridge. The island is very small and after you see the shops on Marine Ave, walk along South Bayfront until you reach the Balboa Island Ferry. For about $0.50 you can take the ferry across to the Peninsula where you will find a small amusement area called the Balboa Fun Zone, plus more shops and homes bordering the Newport Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The Peninsula is quite long, so you’ll want to take a taxi back to the hotel.
There are beaches facing the Ocean as well as beaches along the Peninsula facing the Bay. Of course the Bay side beaches have calm water ideal for small children, while the ocean beaches have the surf that Southern California is famous for. In fact, the Wedge, located at the end of the Balboa Peninsula is billed as the "world’s best body-surfing beach" (for experienced bodysurfers only!)
You can rent just about any size or style boat you want from Marina Watersports.
Shopping
Newport Beach is an affluent community as well as a vacation destination. Therefore, shopping is a large attraction. One of the nicest shopping centers in the area is Fashion Island. This outdoor mall features stores such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s as well as smaller shops and restaurants.
Mariners Mile is a interesting collection of shops, car and yacht dealers located on the Coast Highway between Newport Bl. (end of the 55 Fwy) and Dover Dr. Where else can you buy a wet suit, a fine gift, a 60 foot yacht and a Ferrari all within walking distance? If you’re like me, then most of this is beyond the budget, but it’s fun to “window shop” here.
Not from California? Then you must find the time to visit Fry’s Electronics in nearby Fountain Valley (Take the 405 fwy North and exit at Euclid. Turn left then immediately left again on Kalama River Dr.) Fry’s is a unique chain of electronics store that has to be seen to be believed. Each store is huge and has everything from consumer electronics, to component parts and even snack foods! Of course, they also carry calculators. Each Fry’s store has a unique decorative theme. The Fountain Valley store is ancient Rome. If your visit to Southern California includes some time near Burbank, then the Fry’s near the Burbank Airport - with its 1950’s retro science fiction theme (nicknamed: Sci-Fry’s) is a must - complete with a UFO crashed into the front of the building!
Arts and Culture
The area is not known as a cultural center, but you might be pleasantly surprised.
Directly across from Fashion Island is the Orange County Museum of Art focused on California art. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for students and seniors, and free for children under 16.
A few miles away in Santa Ana, the Bowers Museum is Orange County’s largest and is also an excellent source for the art history of California.
Unfortunately, the week leading up to our Conference is a blackout time for the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, however, if you are in town prior to that, you might want to get tickets to the musical Forever Plaid, or perhaps Jesus Christ Superstar, both of which will be playing in September.
The Pacific Symphony Orchestra is playing works of Tchaikovsky at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (formerly known as Irvine Meadows) on September 13, featuring the 1812 Overture. Of course that means a fireworks finale.
Of course there are also numerous movie theaters in the local area. And many outdoor shopping areas feature live music during the summer.
Golf
Golf is a major attraction in Newport Beach and there are a number of public and private courses, including top rated courses such as Pelican Hill. For information on area courses (especially public courses,) please contact the hotel concierge.
