Things to do in Newport Beach
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Balboa Island
In the middle of the harbor sits the island that time forgot. Its streets are still largely lined with tightly clustered cottages built in the 1920s and '30s when this was a summer getaway from LA. That said, from the promenade that circles the island (and makes a terrific car-free stroll or jog), you can see right into the marble-and-glass monsters that have gone up along the waterfront. The whole place is like a rich, conservative, Midwestern suburb, but with much better weather.
The island is connected to the Fun Zone via a tiny car and passenger ferry (car & driver around US$2, per person around US$1; h05:30-02:30). It lands at Agate Ave, about 11 blocks west of Marin…
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Muth Interpretive Center
Inland from the harbor, where run-off from the San Bernardino Mountains meets the sea, the brackish water of the Newport Bay Ecological Reserve supports more than 200 species of birds. This is one of the few estuaries in Southern California that has been preserved, and it's an important stopover on the Pacific Flyway. The Muth Interpretive Center, near Irvine Ave, has displays and information about the 752-acre reserve; call for hours.
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Crystal Cove State Park
The 3.5 miles of open beach and 2000 acres of undeveloped woodland at this state beach let you forget you're in a crowded metropolitan area, at least once you get past the parking lots and stake out a place on the sand. Everyone thought the hilltops were part of the state park until the Irvine Company, the actual landowner, bulldozed them to make room for McMansions that are the dream of many an OC resident.
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Corona del Mar State Beach
Just south of Balboa Peninsula is Corona del Mar, a ritzy bedroom community on the privileged eastern flanks of the Newport Channel with plenty of upscale stores and restaurants. Corona del Mar State Beach lies at the foot of the cliffs. Locals enjoy impromptu, not quite legal, cocktail parties at Lookout Point, perched above the beach.
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Balboa Fun Zone
Get your kicks on the Ferris wheel at the Balboa Fun Zone, here since 1936. A five-minute ferry ride drops visitors on cottage- and shop-filled Balboa Island. For sun-dappled fun, stroll the 1½-mile promenade encircling the island. Sunsets are amazing.
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Fashion Island
Fashion Island - sometimes referred to as 'Fascist Island' - is the draw for serious shopping. It's an indoor-outdoor mall with more than 200 midrange to upper-end retail stores, among them Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Macy's Women and Robinsons-May. And it's got a good food court.
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Lovell House
For a striking architectural specimen, stroll past the 1926 Lovell House, designed by seminal modernist architect Rudolf Schindler. Restaurants and bars cluster near the two piers – Newport Pier to the west and Balboa Pier to the south-east.
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Tentation Ultra Lounge
Newport's current hotspot aims to please with multistory waterfalls, onyx bar, chill alcoves and cigar patio. But what makes this place oh-so OC is the pride with which members of both sexes proudly show off their gym-sculpted bodies.
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Crab Cooker
Expect a wait at this always-busy fish joint, which serves great seafood and fresh crab on paper plates to an always-appreciative crowd in flip-flops and jeans. Good chowder too.
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Sherman Library & Gardens
Corona del Mar’s prize attraction is the Sherman Library & Gardens, where a variety of lush gardens awaits those needing a quick dose of floral therapy.
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Pacific Whey Cafe
Lauded as Newport's best bakery, this place has pricey but excellent baked goods as well as breakfast platters and Provençale-inspired salads and sandwiches.
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Aubergine
Regularly rated OC's best, the French-inspired menu changes daily to accommodate the freshest ingredients. There's also a stunning selection of wine and cheese.
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Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends
For guided tours of Newport Bay Ecological Reserve with naturalists (including kayak and canoe tours), contact the Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends.
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Orange County Museum of Art
Near Fashion Island, the Orange County Museum of Art provides a survey of California art as well as remarkably cutting-edge contemporary exhibits.
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Royal Thai Cuisine
Gracious service, a smartly decorated dining room and consistently delicious cooking distinguish this as the top Thai eatery in Newport.
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Wilma's Patio
Wilma's is a family-style institution on Balboa Island serving high-quality diner food in one of the island's original 1920s cottages.
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Pascal Épicerie
This is not SoCal fusion, it's a classic French market. Great to-go sandwiches and salads at very reasonable prices.
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Margaritaville
This good-times standby serves up killer margaritas, good Mexican grub and live music every night of the week.
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Crystal Cove Shake Shack
Stop for a date shake on your way to the park. They're dee-lish.
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