Visiting Newport Beach California

You've got to check out Newport Beach, a coastal California destination to travel to, known for their sophisticated charm and vibrant boardwalk vibes. Visiting Newport Beach was so fun, relaxing and not like any other So Cal coastal community. From the exciting fun zone to the quaint streets of Balboa Island, there's something to do for everyone. We loved riding over the ferry to check out the sights and spending time at our hotel going down the waterslide. 

What to do in Newport Beach

There's 10 miles of coastline in Newport Beach so a visit to the beach is a must! We went to Newport Pier at Balboa Peninsula. I recommend this spot because they have a large parking lot right by the beach. You can also park here and walk over to the fun zone where they have a Ferris wheel, arcade games, small shops and eateries.

Take the Ferry to Balboa Island

We took the ferry from the fun zone over to Balboa Island too. It was only ~$7 for the 4 of us (with bikes) to take this fun boat ride over to the island. We loved the short ride over then spent the morning walking around Balboa Island. I loved looking at all the cute cottages on the water. We drove over to Balboa Island the next day from our hotel then drove onto the ferry to go to the peninsula. It was an adventure for all of us and a must for any family who hasn't driven their car onto a boat! Grab a Balboa bar from Sugar N' Spice, a vanilla ice cream bar dipped in your choice of chocolate and toppings - a must try!

Head to the Beach and Playground

The beaches in Newport are wide with lots of sand. There's a great park for the kiddos to play on the beach too. I really enjoyed this spot because there were so many places to walk to once we arrived. You will have to pay for parking in most areas of Newport so it's nice to just park in one place. 

Where to Stay

We've stayed at The Hyatt Regency and it was perfect for our family of four. Their rooms are spacious, the grounds are beautiful and the pool is very family friendly. There's a splash pad, a mini golf course and an awesome waterslide. They have lounge chairs with umbrellas all around the pool, plus pool service for food and drinks. The Hyatt also has a golf course that is free for guests. We recently camped at Newport Dunes and had a blast. They offer camp spots as well as cabin rentals.

The Food in Newport Beach

We enjoyed a few tasty meals while we were in Newport Beach. Our favorites included: Tavern House Kitchen + Bar for clams overlooking the water, Balboa Lily's for breakfast on the peninsula and Crew Coffee & Creamery for ice cream before heading back to the hotel! Moe B's Munchies is super fun for pizza, burgers, a quick breakfast or drinks on the bay at Newport Dunes.  

I'm a sucker for any beach city that has beautiful views. It's even better with a cup of coffee first thing in the morning! 

Play at the Waterpark or Enjoy a Water Sport

Check out the summer Inflatable water park at Newport Dunes. Price are about $20 per person for visitors and $15 per person for guests. They also offer water sport rentals like Duffy boats, peddle boats, kayaks and paddle boards.

Walk the Town

Sometimes, the best thing about being on vacation is wandering around looking at the sights. I love walking around different neighborhoods to get a feel for the town. It's an easy way to immerse into the flow of the area. We loved this beautiful little town and since it's only an hour and a half from San Diego, we will be cruisin back up there soon!  

Have you been to Newport Beach? What's your favorite thing to do there? xo, Bri