Overview
Newport Beach is a city famous for its lavish lifestyle and beautiful surroundings. Television enthusiasts will recognize the resemblance to the show The O.C., and not just by virtue of its location in Orange County, California. The American city has its share of "beautiful people" often with wealth to spare. Yet it's very possible to enjoy life in Newport Beach amongst the millionaires on a relatively low budget.
4 sights · 9 things to do · 16 places to eat · 12 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Newport Beach
Newport Beach Film Festival
The 10-day festival features over 300 short and feature length films. April
Muth Wetlands Interpretive Center
Located on Irvine Avenue, and facing out onto coastal wetlands, this is an excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of Pacific Coast wetlands. There is an excellent film presentation, and many exhibits of interest t…
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
This museum gives an introduction to the extensive maritime history of this area.
Balboa Island
It is a quaint throwback to simpler times, with a strip of stores and restaurants (Marine Avenue) and a pedestrian walkway which incicles the island. It's accessible from the Balboa peninsula via a short car/passenger fe…
Holocaust Museum Orange County
Over 700 artifacts from Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Balboa Fun Zone
Located near the Balboa Pavilion, the Fun Zone has a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, rock wall, arcade, and bungee jump.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 74°F; winter lows dip to about 50°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SNA John Wayne Orange County International Airport, Santa Ana — 4 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LGB Long Beach International Airport, Long Beach — 20 mi away (major hub). Directions
Metrolink and Amtrak serve Santa Ana, Tustin (Metrolink only), and Irvine. A taxi would probably be the most convenient option. Local OCTA bus routes service Amtrak/Metrolink stations at certain times. Consult the OCTA website for more information.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $79–$350 a night (typical $232), from 12 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$310, comfortable ~$520.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Muth Wetlands Interpretive Center, Holocaust Museum Orange County, Newport Dunes 4th of July Celebration
- Lunch Memphis Cafe
- Afternoon Newport Landing Whale Watching, Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series
- Dinner Tavern House
- Evening Classic Q
Day 2
- Morning Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, Balboa Fun Zone
- Lunch Cabo Cantina
- Afternoon Balboa Island Art Walk, Christmas Boat Parade
- Dinner Galley Cafe
- Evening Class of 47
Day 3
- Morning Balboa Island, Newport Beach Film Festival
- Lunch Wilma's Patio
- Afternoon Newport International Boat Show
- Dinner Sugar n' Spice
- Evening Balboa Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
Tourist information
- Visit Newport Beach website
Get in
By plane
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) is located on the border of Newport Beach, Irvine, and Santa Ana.
- If you are arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Long Beach (LGB), take the I-405 freeway south to the 73 freeway south.
By rail
Metrolink and Amtrak serve Santa Ana, Tustin (Metrolink only), and Irvine. A taxi would probably be the most convenient option. Local OCTA bus routes service Amtrak/Metrolink stations at certain times. Consult the OCTA website for more information.
By car
Take CA Highway 1 or the I-405 freeway to the 55 or 73 freeway south. The former will take you to West Newport and the latter to the east side of the Newport Bay.
Get around
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) serves the Newport Beach area. The OCTA Newport Transportation Center is just east of Fashion Island in Newport Beach; here OCTA Routes 1, 55, 57, 75, 76 and 79 converge for a transfer point. Routes 1, 47 and 71 serve the beaches (over a mile away from here) and the Balboa Peninsula; Route 76 serve the John Wayne Airport SNA (about 6 miles from here).
See
True to its name, any visit to Newport Beach is incomplete without a trip to the beach. The city is nestled on the Pacific Ocean and is a favorite among surfers. The Wedge, at the end of the Balboa Peninsula, is famed for its challenging surf, but Newport's miles of wide beaches offer plenty of room for everyone, except on the busiest summer weekends. There is a concrete boardwalk running along the beach from the east of the Balboa pier to west of the Newport pier.
See Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
This museum gives an introduction to the extensive maritime history of this area.
See Balboa Island
It is a quaint throwback to simpler times, with a strip of stores and restaurants (Marine Avenue) and a pedestrian walkway which incicles the island. It's accessible from the Balboa peninsula via a short car/passenger ferry, or you can drive there over a bridge from near the Pacific Coast Highway.
Do
Do Balboa Fun Zone
Located near the Balboa Pavilion, the Fun Zone has a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, rock wall, arcade, and bungee jump.
Do Newport Landing Whale Watching
During the summer months, view Blue Whales (more than 90 feet in length), Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and several types of dolphin and other marine life. During the winter months you can view Grey Whales, the occasional Orca, and many dolphins and sea lions. The trip has a 96% viewing success rate of marine life on each cruise. The company's primary whale watching ship is 65 feet in length with a large upstairs sun-deck, wrap around outside seating, snack bar with food and beverage and indoor seating with large windows. 2½ hours.
Events
Do Newport Dunes 4th of July Celebration
A day-long celebration with carnival games, crafts, face painting, music by a DJ, hula-hoop and limbo contests, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments and drawings by a caricaturist. A fireworks show occurs over the lagoon after dark. $25. Fireworks show can be seen for free from outside the Resort. July 4; 11AM-9PM with fireworks show at 9PM.
Do Christmas Boat Parade
Annual water parade of boats decorated with Christmas lights. The boats take a nightly tour of Newport Harbour on five consecutive evenings. Free viewing from most locations. Some restaurants and organizations have premium seating for a fee. See the website for more information and map of parade route. December.
Do Sandcastle Contest
Sand sculptures from novice to expert. The contest is held at Corona del Mar State Beach. Free admission for spectators. Fee for entrants. October.
Buy
Shop Fashion Island
The premiere shopping center in Newport Beach, this is a beautiful outdoor mall with great landscaping, and fountains of every description. Stores include Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Anthropologie, Barnes and Noble, Nike for Women. Restaurants include Cafe R & D (crowded, but good) and the Neiman Marcus Restaurant (with a beautiful view towards the ocean).
Shop Westcliff Plaza
This is the real Newport, as few tourists make it over here. Located near the corner of Westcliff and Irvine Avenue, this is a small, luxury mall, with ultra upscale clothes, furnishings, and services. Restaurants include Haute Cakes (breakfast and lunch only) and Pizza Bakery. You will also see the colorful spectrum of local teen lifestyles.
Shop Crystal Cove
This is on Pacific Coast highway in the southern reaches of Newport, called Newport Coast. Stop here on your way to Laguna Beach and find both chain and private retailers. This mall is breathtaking as it overlooks the ocean. Stop for a bite to eat.
Eat
Eat Ho Sum Bistro
The Combo Salad will fill you up and is very well priced for how much you get ($4-6). A nice option if you are stuck on the peninsula.
Eat Memphis Cafe
Tasty and fairly authentic gourmet southern fare in a casual roadhouse-style diner with fantastic ambience. Service is excellent, but informal. For lunch, try the 1/2 pulled pork sandwich and bowl of gumbo. Parking is sometimes a problem between non and 1PM on weekdays.
Eat Wilma's Patio
Family restaurant popular among locals for breakfast on Balboa Island (not the peninsula!), although they also serve lunch and dinner. The wait can be as long as an hour on summer weekend mornings.
Eat Sol Grill
Good pasta and seafood restaurant with live music. As the restaurant is small, reservations are essentiell for weekends.
Eat Rusty Pelican
Fine dining seafood restaurant with view of marina. Has a full bar on the second floor.
Eat Woody's Wharf
Seafood restaurant offering a good variety of options with a notable bar selection.
Eat Seaside Donuts Bakery
This bakery went viral and there's long lines depending on the time of day but the baked stuff is worth the wait. Attracts lots of influencers and youths.
Eat Crystal Cove Shake Shack
Longtime restaurant overlooking the ocean. Famous for its seating and milkshakes, but it also serves food like hamburgers, hot dogs, and more. Pretty iconic for the area, might be worth it to order online because lines tend to form. Hours vary by the season.
Eat Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen
Pretty good Italian restaurant with a good wine list. Good atmosphere with large portions.
Eat Bayside Restaurant
Fine dining establishment specializing in wine, seafood, and steak. Very popular with the Sunday Brunch crowd. They may have a piano player when you're there.
Eat Galley Cafe
Waterfront diner on the end of Harbor Island. Usual diner foods, but it's quite small inside so there may be a wait.
Eat Dad's Donut & Bakery Shop
Longtime dessert place and bakery. One of the frozen banana places on Balboa Island, also serves cookies, donuts, and more. Old timey, you can't miss the banana sign.
Eat Sugar n' Spice
The other frozen banana place on Balboa Island, claims to be the original. They also serve a signature item called Balboa bars. Loads of options for frozen bananas.
Eat Cabo Cantina
Good Happy Hour (10PM to midnight) nightly with 2-for-1 drinks.
Eat Muldoon's Irish Pub
Irish pub with a glass enclosed patio as well as an intimate secondary dining room. Serving up lots of varieties of beer and traditional Irish food. Super friendly staff and lots of TVs for watching sporting events. Good place to have a drink or a meal, preferably both.
Eat Tavern House
Higher-end restaurant with dishes inspired by Hawaii, California, and Mexico. Popular with brunch on the weekend.
Drink
Drink Baja Sharkeez
Fun, has music. They check IDs. Before this, there were loads of underage people. Minor chain with other locations around SoCal.
Drink Balboa Saloon
Younger crowd, but never really seems busy.
Drink A Restaurant
Best happy hour in Newport. Rat pack vibe.
Drink Mutt Lynch's
A true locals haunt. "A little slice of a California beach community."
Drink Classic Q
Sports bar with pool tables. Reasonable food.
Drink Malarky's Irish Pub
Irish pub that also serves food, like hamburgers. They also have live music and Irish coffees. It's inside The Landing.
Drink Cassidy's Bar & Grill
Rough around the edges bar and grill right off of Newport Boulevard. They don't usually answer the phone. They also serve food as the name would suggest. There is also a billiards (pool) table.
Drink Stag Bar + Kitchen (Stag Bar)
Bar with a notably long list of drinks like cocktails and whiskey. Also serves food. Come for the happy hour.
Drink Beach Ball
Long time bar with pool tables that's closed for 4 hours any day. Right next to the water, too. They do not serve food, but they sell merchandise.
Drink Blackie's By the Sea (Blackie's)
Bar that draws in a certain type of people. Very local spot. They sell merchandise.
Drink The Blue Beet
Bar which also serves a lot of food. Rooftop patio with live music and a dance floor. Nice interior, really longtime classy place.
Drink Class of 47
Longstanding bar with pool tables on the peninsula. Inexpensive drinks with outdoor seating.
Sleep
Stay The Balboa Bay Club & Resort
Special features on site: barber/beauty shop, bar/lounge, restaurant, shops, hot tub, sauna, fitness center on site, bayfront property, full service spa.
Stay The Island Hotel Newport Beach
Across from the Fashion Island shopping center and within walking distance of the Orange County Museum of Art.
Stay Little Inn By The Bay on the Balboa Peninsula
Located on Balboa Peninsula by Newport Beach Pier offers free Wi-Fi and parking is Big Plus coming to Newport Beach. Walking distance to the Beach, Board Walk, Lido Village and Famous restaurants like Carb Cooker & Woody's Wharf and Famous BAR like Mutts and Malarky’s Irish Pub.
Go next
- Catalina Island - For most of the year, there is daily boat service to Catalina on the Catalina Flyer, located on the Balboa Peninsula. Trip takes about an hour, and can frequently be rough. Remember to bring the Dramamine!
- While in Orange County, be sure to visit Disneyland in Anaheim or Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park.
- Don't have a car? Don't have a cow. You can reach Los Angeles or San Diego by train from Irvine or Santa Ana.
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