Newport Beach
Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of
southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its
beaches and surfing.
Newport Beach
Most places along this stretch of coast south of Los Angeles have fairly straightforward layouts, lining the beach for a few miles with the Pacific Coast Highway running through them in a more or less straight line. Not Newport Beach, however, as this Google Map shows.
Newport Beach Map (c) Google Maps
If you drive through on the Pacific Coast Highway without
stopping, you won't really notice the make-up of Newport Beach, but you will
miss seeing where a lot of the action is, out on the Balboa Peninsula. This
long peninsula almost encloses Newport Beach Harbor, in which there are several
artificial islands.
The two biggest are Balboa Island and Lido Isle. These are both totally covered in housing, and surrounded by boat moorings, jetties, and small piers, with not an inch of space to be seen! In total there are an estimated 9,000 boats in Newport Harbor, making it one of the largest recreational harbors on the west coast.
Our Pick of the California Guides
The water then extends inland in a series of waterways, firstly in Lower Newport Bay and then Upper Newport Bay. You get a lot of water for your money in Newport Beach! There's quite a lot of green space too by way of parks and nature reserves, making it a very pleasant place to spend a few days.
Surfing at Newport Beach
Newport Beach History
With an abundant supply of water it isn't surprising that
Newport Beach was initially attractive to Native American tribes, till settlers
began to arrive in the 19th century and the town started to grow up. In 1905
the railway opened, connecting Newport Beach to Los Angeles, bringing a huge
increase in visitors and people looking to live here.
The Lovely Long Beach in Newport Beach
Things to Do in
Newport Beach
Activities here inevitably revolve around the beaches and
the ocean. There are several excellent beaches, and the town is good for
surfing and other water sports. There are fishing charters as well, and whale
watching tours are popular with companies like Newport Landing Whale Watching.
You can also do harbor boat tours, which are fun, spotting the homes of some of
the many celebrities who choose to live here.
Paddleboarding at Newport Beach
Shopping
Being a pretty upscale kind of a place, Newport Beach is a very
good destination for shopping, ranging from the luxury to the bargain. Fashion Island is the city's main
shopping mall, just off the Pacific Coast Highway and with stores like Apple,
Bloomingdale's, Armani, Bose, Gucci, and lots of eating options too.
Fashion Island
Sports and Outdoor
Activities
Newport Beach is a good city for cycling around, especially
along the long boardwalk, and there are several golf courses within easy
driving distance. You'll also see plenty of rollerbladers and joggers.
Crystal Cove State
Park
Crystal Cove State Park is a 20-minute drive south from
Newport Beach, almost in Laguna Beach. It covers several miles of coastline
either side of the Pacific Coast Highway, and indeed extends under the ocean
too. Its tide pools are popular with kids, and its beaches popular with
everyone. Over 180 different species of birds have been observed in the park,
and there are several species of snakes here as well, so watch out if walking
around.
Other Wildlife Spots
The Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area is good
for wildlife, especially birds, and you can go hiking and kayaking, amongst
other activities. It's only about ten minutes drive from PCH.
The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary is 300 acres of wetland, which naturally attracts lots of birds, both resident and migrating. It has about 10 miles (16 km) of wheelchair-accessible hiking and biking trails, if you want to get out of your car and stretch your legs. It's about a 15-minute drive off the Pacific Coast Highway.
Santa Catalina Island
You can get ferries from Newport Beach to the unique Santa Catalina Island, well worth a trip of a day or more.
Christmas in Newport
Beach
Read our page on the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade!
More Information
This only skims the surface of the many things to do in
Newport Beach, and for more details see the Visit Newport Beach website.
More California coast pages
The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.
Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.
PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.
A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.
Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.
Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.
The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.
Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.
San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.
Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.
Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.
Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.
Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.
The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.
Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.
Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.
Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.
Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.
The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.
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Mar 27, 25 11:39 AM
Several road closures remain in effect as cleanup and repairs from the recent wildfires continue. Some travel routes are still unsafe for commuters as concerns about mudslides and public exposure to t…
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Mar 16, 25 11:24 AM
Following Improved Weather Conditions, Pacific Coast Highway Reopened Earlier than Anticipated Today to Businesses, School Buses and Residents Who Live in Palisades Fire Burn Area
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Mar 13, 25 11:38 AM
Effective Wednesday, March 12, at noon, Caltrans has implemented a full closure of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu. The clo…
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