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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Where to Stay in Newport Beach
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
Moss Beach Hotel
For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.
Best Beaches in California
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.
Point Reyes National Seashore
The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.
Bodega Bay
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.
Scenic Spots on the Pacific Coast Highway
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.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.
Vagabond's House Inn
Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.
Santa Monica, California
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.
Whale Watching in California
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.
La Jolla, in southern California
La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.
Oceanside
Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.
San Simeon
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.
Coastal California Guidebook
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.
Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino
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.
Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California
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.
San Clemente California
San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.
Free Things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway
There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.
Encinitas
Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.
Laguna Beach
The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.
California Coast Guide
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.
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.
Best Time to Visit Mendocino
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.
Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California
The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.
Crescent City
Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.
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Recent Articles
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I've taken over 20 Amtrak routes around the US and Canada. These 5 offered the most stunning views.
Mar 13, 26 11:58 AM
For travelers who love calming ocean views, I recommend riding the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle, which takes about 34 hours. I thought the first day of the trip was the most scen… -
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Mar 13, 26 11:58 AM
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