First of all pick a location you truly like to be. I know this sounds extremely simple but more often than not people do what is simply affordable and then are miserable afterward. Sounds ridiculous but affordability is a very important factor and because of this people tend to lose sight of what they originally pictured as their own “paradise”.

For example if you decided to originally stay at Newport Beach, but you find the rent to be way above your limit, thus you change your standards and in the end are unsatisfied with your choice and yet still desire your wonderful trip to Newport Beach.

Speaking from my own experience I must say that the second most important thing to consider when you are making a plan of your ideal beachfront vacation home is to consider the people who will be joining you and plan accordingly. This sounds slightly confusing, but listen carefully because it will make a great deal of sense. If you are planning to go with a family of four or five you don’t want a small little villa in the middle of a great big island.

Instead of enjoying yourself in your neat vacation home you are going to be simply wanted to wish you never collected the money to buy it. On the flip side, you do not want to have this huge villa with only you and your significant other. The large space, and openness may prove to separate you from your love way more than you anticipated.

These are all simple things that everyone should consider when renting a beachfront home, or any home for that matter. The bottom line is, after considering everything; you want to be comfortable on your vacation. I know from experience how things can be easily overturned when something very simple was ignored. When in doubt always remember the words of your mother, and choose wisely!

You’ll find multiple sites online where you can easily compare amenities, locations, and prices. When investigating your rental, look for bargains in the off-season – in Newport Beach this means January – March. Once you’ve decided when to travel, ask yourself – and the homeowner or manager – the following questions:

Location – get a good idea of exactly where the home is. Ask for pictures showing the area surrounding the rental, too. How close are the neighbors? How far away are the closest shops and restaurants? Ask to see its location on a local map, too.

Vacation Rentals Newport Beach

Transportation – will you need to rent a car or is public transportation readily available? Bedrooms – how many and how many beds are available? Bathrooms – how many? Furniture – is the home fully furnished – including outdoor furniture, if applicable?

Ambiance – Is it quiet and private? Amenities – such as a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Cable TV, DVD player, stereo, telephone or cell phone, Internet, air conditioning, mosquito screens, etc.

Lighting – I like to read in bed, are there bedside lamps?

Guest services – is there maid service, pool maintenance, gardener, laundry service, garbage collection etc? Are there luxury services available, such as in–home massage, beauty services, private chefs, etc?

Medical care – in case of emergencies, is there a clinic or doctor on call?

The welcome you receive upon your arrival is equally important. A good property management company or landlord will be at the home to greet you, give you keys, and show you through the home. They should also be available 24/7 should any problems arise. Will they stock the fridge for you in case you are arriving late in the day? They should be able to help plan tours, give info on the best restaurants, sites of interest, etc.

Doing some planning ahead of time will help ensure the very best experience in your Newport Beach vacation home!

1. Location And Price Of The Surf Camp.

The location and price of the surf camp are two practical things to consider. Depending on where you are vacationing, some surf camps are located within the busy tourist area. In fact, some hotels will even host their own camps, while other surf facilities are along popular beaches, with others operating in less populated areas.

The price of a surf camp can vary depending on what level of lesson(s) you want, how long the lessons last, who is giving the lessons, and the cost of equipment rental, if not included in the fee. Surf camps can range anywhere from $60 per student to over $500+ per student, depending on what level of instruction you select, lesson structure, and length of camp (day or overnight).

2. How Long The Surf Camp Has Been In Operation.

Some surf camps appear one day and seem to disappear then next. This is seen quite a bit in popular and unregulated tourist beach locations. You should find out how long the camp has been in operation, and its track record. Avoid any surf camps that are not well established. In the U.S., you can locate surf camps by state and county at surfcampsearch.com, and get information on camper staff ratios, age groups, counselor information, and any accreditation by certifying organizations, such as the American Camp Association or YMCA. An example of one camp in the Newport Beach, California area is the Newport Surf School, which is a well- established camp with history, testimonials, and private lessons.

3. The Experience Of The Surf Camp Instructors/Counselors.
Just like anything else, you should find out how much experience the surf camps instructors have in actual surfing and teaching. You want to avoid camps that have young or inexperienced surf instructors. Just because someone knows how to surf does not make them a good instructor. All instructors should know ocean safety guidelines, and water rescue procedures.

4. Safety Rating Of The Surf Camp.

Another important factor to consider is the safety rating of the surf camp. If you can, call the camp facility, and talk with their customer service representative to find out about their safety procedures and requirements, what type of life jackets or personal flotation devices are available, and if the staff and instructors are trained in basic first aid and CPR. If you have children who want to participate, you should find out if they offer classes with other children in similar age groups, or provide one on one instruction. For new surfers, it is usually recommended to take some private classes so you can learn the proper techniques directly from a certified instructor.

5. The Surf Camp Reviews and Feedback.

Some of the best ways to find out about the performance of a surf camp is to ask your hotel concierge, check with the Better Business Bureau, look at online review sites such as Yelp.com or yahoo.local.com, or talk with people who live in the area. You can even find local surfers on the beaches in the area who will give you their recommendations. This is one of most direct ways to get a good referral since the local surfers will know the best surf schools, and surfing instructors.

About The Author:
Jane Warren is a water sports enthusiast who participates in swimming, diving, boating, sailing, waterski tubing, and just about anything else related to those sports. She spends 6 months of the year at the beach in Grand Cayman, or other natural water locations. During that time, Jane has plenty of opportunity to enjoy the water, and always has plenty of friends and family who visit, and want to be out on the boat, riding around or being more active!

Out of this love of water sports, Jane developed the website TowableTubesDirect.com where she provides information and reviews on water sports equipment including towable tubes, skis, kayaks, wakeboards, and water trampolines. Some of the brands she has reviewed include Sportsstuff, Airhead, Aquaglide, and Rave Sports. One of the most popular boat ski tubes this season is the Big Slice, a great tube for 2 riders, of all ages.

Before you leave, pack wisely. If you will be visiting the famous beaches of North Star, Little Corona del Mar, or China Cove, be sure to remember your swimsuit and beach towel.

If packing for a shopping excursion, you can either choose the dress for success look (dress shoes or heeled sandals), or plan for a shopping marathon (sport shoes or tennis shoes). You will have your choice of shopping centers. Fashion Island is an icon, so that would be a good one for your to-do list. If you have time, you could also go to Bayside Center, Westcliff Plaza, Lido Village, Newport Hills, or Harbor View. You might also really enjoy shopping on Balboa Island and in Corona del Mar.

If you are traveling to Newport Beach because your boss wants to transfer you, bring some bags of money in your suitcase, too. Since it’s paradise, there is a price tag attached– over a million dollars for condos, and over $2.1M for a single family detached home. Even rentals are more than $1,500 per month.

Which airport you fly into for your Newport Beach visit will be your choice. You might get a cheaper fare flying into LAX, but oh the traffic! Los Angeles International is 34.5 miles away, but it could be slow-going to get down to Orange County after arrival. Other L.A. area airport options include Long Beach, Ontario, and Burbank.

Another possibility is to fly to an airport further away, and then make the drive into Newport Beach part of your visit. Las Vegas sounds like it’s far away from the California coast, but it’s really only 231.5 miles. Even scenic Santa Barbara is only 122.9 miles of a drive after arrival towards the south. Palm Springs might be another choice, particularly if you want to play golf there first. San Diego is an excellent choice, as you can then drive the 74.9 miles north to Newport Beach.

By far the most convenient option is to arrive only 4.8 miles away at the Orange County Airport. Be careful as you board your plane to California. Sometimes they’ll say your flight is leaving for Santa Ana, sometimes they’ll say John Wayne Airport, and sometimes they’ll say Orange County or SNA. It’s all the same place.

If you are renting a car for your visit, beware. Some rental companies have offices in the terminal and some car rental firms are off-site. If you are a smart shopper, you can get your car from one of the in-terminal companies at no added cost. From the baggage area, walk through on the same level to where the rental companies are. This is a beautifully tiled area with large tan tiles. Atop a grand foundation of tiles you will see the statue of the Duke himself, John Wayne. (This is a great spot for a photo!)

Now, in order to get to your rental vehicle, you will have to cross the street and go to the parking garage. Wow- check it out– the street crossing has audio as well as visual “walk” and “don’t walk” instructions. This is fantastic if you are visually impaired.

The adventure of getting to your rental car continues on the other side of the street. You have to go down the elevator to the lower level. This is where the chaos begins. It’s a noisy, densely packed area of several rental companies. When you exit in your rental vehicle, just go very slowly, as you may be asked to make your way through tight spaces with sharp turns.

As you leave the airport on Airport Way, you may be taking MacArthur Blvd next– watch out! If your Mapquest directions say to turn right on MacArthur, be sure to do that. There are two lanes of traffic that go off to the left there; it would be easy to follow the crowd and end up miles and miles and miles from the beach! If this happens to you, simply turn around. Retrace your way back to the airport and you will now be going in the proper direction.

The nice thing about the Newport area, is that everything is relatively close once you arrive. In no time at all, you will be at your hotel enjoying the best of California weather and scenery. Have fun!

It stands in competition with some of the best of all Orange county amusement centers, such as Knott’s Berry Farm or even Disneyland for that matter. For over an entire half a century, the Balboa Fun Zone has been sporting every type of entertainment for every possible age or audience category.

What’s more, it’s even the perfect destination to plan a fun and adventurous date out or even to hang around on a friendly night out. The pure and picturesque beaches of Balboa can be quite a treat for the eyes, the mind, as well as the body. Even exploring other sites within the Fun Zone can be such an entertaining experience that it’s hard to notice how one’s time just passes away in fun and enjoyment.

One of the first of water-to-water flights was constructed over here, as early as, 1912. Stretching across Balboa to the Catalina Island, this pier, also popularly known as the Balboa Pier, is one among the last of them surviving the destructive and deadly coastal storms that came rampaging down this amusement area in the 1980s.

Some of the entertainment facilities are so economically feasible that they cost as less as just a single dollar, for instance, the Balboa Island Ferry. Some of the entertainment activities to be enjoyed in the water include cruises of entire harbors or cruises undertaken to watch whales. You can even indulge in water sports like fishing. For others, who’d like to shop or eat, there are great hangouts like quaint shops and exotic restaurants.

The Ferris wheel has been one of the oldest attractions of the Balboa Fun Zone that is available for use 24/7. It has been operating, since, as early as, the year 1936. After the coastal storms of the eighties, the entire park was completely rebuilt by 1986. Today its carousels and arcades welcome one and all with open arms while on their Newport Beach vacation. .

The pier has amusements and rides, and of course games and prizes. You can relax at the local coffee shop and if you surf, it’s a surfer’s paradise offering equipment and supplies and reports of how the surf is doing. One of my favorite places to eat and just hang out is the Cannery. But the best attraction for me is the Wonderland Bakery! Just so much fun to look at and everything is always good.

I enjoy a long walk on the pier as the sunsets, smelling the fresh sea air. You can rent boats of all kinds, so if you are set on some water fun, they have it there for you. This is a great vacation spot. With waterfront lodging, a quaint shopping village. Plenty of dining choices. You can whale watch during spring and fall.

Newport is located within an hour or so drive to Disneyland, or Hollywood and Beverly Hills. It’s a beautiful place to visit. Family friendly, pet friendly. The sky’s the limit. Accommodation’s include hotels, rental homes, luxury rentals. Beachfront property, in town property. You can rent a row boat to a yacht! There is plenty to see and do in Newport. I suggest a minimum of a one week stay, but can tell you even 2 weeks is not nearly enough time, there is that much to see and do.

Don’t miss out on the Ferry, Corona Del Mar or if you golf, remember to hit the greens!and of course, Fashion Island is a must for you avid shoppers! they have a great koi pond there and great shops!Be sure to take a dinner cruise or enjoy one of the many concerts and entertainment provided!

You are sure to enjoy your stay and will remember it for a long time to come.

When you first pull your automobile into the resort where you will be staying the first thing that you and your family are probably going to want to do is run down to the beach. You will probably be spending a lot of your time lying in the sand getting a tan, building a sandcastle, and splashing in the water. Make sure that you pack sunscreen for everyone in your family so that you do not come back looking like a lobster from Joe’s Crab Shack.

Joe’s Crab Shack is one of the best restaurants to get a bite to eat at after a long day on the beach. This relaxed family friendly atmosphere is a great place for your whole family to eat or makes a great place for a date out for just mom and dad.

You will find a different mix of stores located at the Fashion Island Mall. This outdoor mall is filled with stores that you are most likely familiar with as well as some that you may not be familiar with. If you get hungry while you are shopping there are restaurants where you can grab some food before you continue with your adventure.

Newport Beach is a great vacation destination that will never leave you feeling bored. A day at the beach, the tasteful restaurants, and the spectacular shopping will give you plenty to keep up with, and make you never want to go back to your home.

You may want to take a day trip to the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum if you are someone who is interested in the maritime heritage of this area. You will notice a very large ship where you will be able to go on tours and sail. You will also notice items such as antique engines and the very popular sport fishing simulator.

If you want to check out another museum the Orange County Museum of Art is a great one to visit. This is where you will find different works of art done mostly by local artists. You will also find a café and a shop located that will provide you with an all around great experience.

When you are tired from visiting all of the museums you will be able to find a great restaurant that is sure to have your favorite type of food. There is a great mix of places to eat from fine dining to local seafood. If you want to eat like a start check out the Arches which is a favorite of stars such as John Wayne and Shirley Temple.

If you do not want to spend all of your time relaxing in the hot summer sun of Newport Beach then you will be able to find several other activities to do. There are museums, shops, and restaurants that are waiting to show you a good time. If it is time for you to take a break this is one of the best destinations to do it.

Last year, I took our family, consisting of my wife, and my three children down there on a week long vacation. The kids loved it and we are considering going back since we loved it so much. The best attraction that we went to and enjoyed the most definitely was the Balboa Fun Zone.

The Balboa Fun Zone is a great attraction if you do have kids. They are open every day of the week. On Sunday through Thursday, they are open from eleven am to four pm. On Friday they are open from eleven am to nine pm, and on Saturday the same hours except till ten pm. One of the great things is that one night we were there, the park was absolutely packed. We were going to go back the other day since we got there late, but they actually kept the park open past six pm on Wednesday night since the park was so crowded.

The Balboa Fun Zone is one of the oldest amusement parks in California. The Balboa Fun Zone is known for its two main attractions: the Ferris wheel and its carousel (or merry go round). The Ferris wheel is one of the most beautiful, serene rides you will ever go on. The ride moves slowly so you can enjoy the view that is obtained from the ride. You can see the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful coast. The Ferris wheel is inexpensive; at only three dollars a ride and you must be over fifty inches to ride it. The merry go round is even cheaper, at only two dollars a ride. Anyone can go on it, although smaller kids like one of my kids need an assistant, and they don’t even charge you for that. There are also tons of arcades, places to eat, and more that make the Balboa Fun Zone a kids haven.

My kids just cannot wait to go back!

For honeymooners or those in love looking to re-kindle the flame, Newport Beach has a lot to offer when it comes to romance. The entire environment and setting around the Beach is romantic, with romance budding at each and every turn.

On a hot day, walking hand in hand down Marine Avenue on Balboa Island is enriching. You and your mate can check out the sites and talk about things. Then, you can head over to Balboa Fun Zone and play games together,
enjoying the best life has to offer. To show her that you care, you can even win her a stuffed animal – one thing that all females seem to love!

On the harbor of Newport Beach, a romantic gondola ride remains one of the most romantic things to do. A gondola ride is great to relax, sitting back with one and another and enjoying the best of the beach. Sometimes,  nothing beats just enjoying the presence of one another and taking in some of the best sites that vision has to offer.

Once night begins to set in, nothing is more romantic than a trip to the Bayside Restaurant or the Aubergine, two of the most romantic restaurants in Orange County. Both you and your partner will enjoy the setting here, as
well as the food.

After you have enjoyed a romantic dinner, you can watch the sunset on the beach. Both sunrise and sunset is breathtaking at Newport Beach, something each and every couple should experience at least once in a lifetime.

Before you call it a trip, you should also make sure to get pampered at a local spa. The spa’s around Newport Beach are exhilarating, something your whole body will find superb. As a couple or a separate trip, a relaxing
day at the spa is very hard to rival.

When it comes to a honeymoon or a trip as a couple, Newport Beach is one location you’ll remember the rest of your lives. There is so much to do here as a couple, you’ll probably want to come back again and again. As
time goes by and you get older, you’ll find that Newport Beach is the perfect place to come back to – no matter where the road of life takes you.