Fun Things to Do in Newport Beach

Enjoy the Southern California fresh ocean breezes and expansive views from the Pier, world class surfing, swimming, building sand castles to sunbathing.

1. There are four incredible seasons
California is one of those southwestern states that has mild summers with cool evenings if you’re located about 5-10 miles from the coast. Southern California has mountains that allow people to go to the beach in the morning and still get in some skiing or play in the snow the same day.

Wear shorts or bring a jacket for adventures at higher elevations. You can have spring, summer, fall, and a snowy winter in the higher elevations such as Big Bear.

2. Southern California has a great food scene
California is blessed to have some of the best restaurants an cuisine in the country. It ranges from Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Vietnamese, German, Ethiopian, Brazilian, Cuban, Japanese, and so many countries as well as specific ingredients. There really is something for everyone no matter where you’re from around the world.

3. The great food trucks
One element of the excellent food culture is the insane amount of competition that produces viable eating choices. This has led to L.A., Orange County and San Diego having multiple options for hot food.

From breakfast, lunch and dinner you can enjoy gourmet cuisine from the best breakfast burritos even a movie food truck caterer would applaud. SoCal food is one of the benefits of living here.

4. Features some of the best art museums in the U.S.
One of the country’s best art museums, the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA) is situated right in the downtown. The main branch on 250 S. Grand Ace features post world art with numerous galleries, including virtual for online viewing.

Many museums in Southern California have just started reopening due to the pandemic in 2020 through the first few months of 2021 such as LACMA, La Brea Tar Pits Museum, Laguna Art Museum and Pretend Art Children’s Museum n Irvine and a few others.

5. So hard to forget
Newport Beach is without a doubt a picturesque scenic coastal city featuring amazing beaches with views from the cliffs, among of the world’s top surfing locations, each of which makes it hard to forget.

6. Conserve Nature
Committed to the conservation and restoration of the Upper Newport Bay which spans 135 acres , the Newport Bay Conservancy on a regular basis features bird-watching events, classroom viewing of amphibians and reptiles at the Muth Interpretive Center, kayak trips, lectures and and a variety of other informative and activities for all ages.

7. Balboa Island local shops
Drive a few minutes until you reach Marine Avenue for some trendy shops finds and exciting culinary treats. If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, check out Dad’s Donut or Frozen Banana. It’s all part of the beach life.

8. Whale watching
You can’t leave without going on a tour, chances are high you’ll get to see finback whales, blue whales, humpback whales and grey whales. Along with these large mammals will be dolphins. seal and sharks.

9. The Play is the Scene
Newport Theater Arts Center is located on Cliff Drive and overlooking Pacific Coast Highway and the spectacular Pacific Ocean. It’s a venue that seats 90 people with not really a bad seat in the house. You have a small town feel in a very high end area. Great acting and directing in an artistic town.

10. Know your Harbor.
Many locals and tourists alike recommend taking in a relaxing Gondola Ride through Newport Beach Harbor. The scenery will make you feel like you are actually in Venice. The gondolas are indeed authentic, as well as the friendly guides!

OC Neighborhood Spotlight: Dana Point

Dana Point, which is located in South Orange County west of San Juan Capistrano, offers a short commute to Irvine and Newport Beach while providing beautiful views of the ocean than other South Orange County’s neighborhoods east of the 5 freeway.

Dana Point Boundaries
Located off Interstate 5, Dana Point is bordered by the beaches and highway 1 to the southwest, Del Obispo to the east, Pacific Island Drive and Camino Del Avion to the north.

Dana Point is composed of nine smaller neighborhoods:

Monarch Beach
Capistrano Beach
Lantern District
Del Obispo
Dana Hills
Harbor
Three Arch Bay


Average Home Prices:
Prices range from $200,000 for a condo on up to $40,000,000 for a luxury home on the beach.

A Quick History Guide
Established as a city in 1989, named after Richard Henry Dana Jr. (1815-1882), a Harvard-educated lawyer. Dana Point has a little over 34,000 residents, and is distinguished by roughly seven miles of its famous coastal bluffs and enchanting rolling hills beside the Pacific Ocean.

Attractions
Activities include Whale and Dolphin Watching, Doheny State Beach, Salt Creek Beach Park,  Farmers Market on Saturdays, Illumiocean, Parasailing, and more.  The Irvine Spectrum is just a 20-minute drive.

Where to Eat in Dana Point
Throughout South Orange County there’s plenty of great choices you can comfortably get to from Dana Point. You’ll find your highly rated local pizza places such as Beach Harbor and Angelina’s, and Salt Creek Grille and the Harbor Grill, along with a range of other unique eateries that will have you returning to sample each item on the menu.

The Little Kitchen Asian Café
A top-quality healthy Asian cuisine that has a strong rating and long list of satisfied customers throughout South Orange County.  Foods are made from scratch by top rated chefs and their pot stickers to die for.

Luciana’s Ristorante
A cozy European styled decor serving the community for over 30 years with traditional Italian dishes like Antipasto, Salads, Fettuccine, Bruschetta, Lasagna, Shrimp Scampi, and so on.

A’s Burgers
Located on Pacific Coast Highway, go grab a good burger, onion or zucchini rings along with a drink. Many claim that the burger size is a good-size and the price is right as well.