There’s no time to waste when you’re on summer vacation, which makes Newport Beach the perfect summer destination!

All of the best activities are located right on the Newport peninsula, all within a 5 minute drive or 15 minute bike ride. Whether you’re stopping in town for the day on a coastal road trip or settling down for the week at a summer vacation rental, we guarantee this one-day itinerary will deliver you the happiest of summer memories!

@circlehookfishcompany

8:00AM
The Early Bird Rides the Wave (and Eats the Donut!)

Start the day at Blackies, the Waikiki of California. With its mellow waves and flat, sand bottom, this is the perfect place to watch world-class surfing and try to hang ten yourself! We guarantee you’ll have worked up an appetite, so be sure to stop by Seaside Donuts & Bakery. Their Cronut and Blueberry Donuts are out of this world!

10:30AM
Now it’s Time for a Shopping Spree with a View

Now it’s time to towel off and glam up, with a shopping spree at Lido Marina Village. Here you’ll find a center of shops and restaurants along a charming brick lane that looks out onto the Newport harbor waterfront. Shop SoCal must-haves like Aesop and Jenni Kayne and visit local treasures like the Lido Village Bookstore and the Historic Lido Theater.

12:30PM
Lunch Break at the Best!

And what’s a summer trip to the beach without some fresh caught seafood? Circle Hook, located right at Lido Marina Village, is where the locals go for their fried seafood fix. The casual dining experience is juxtaposed with a front-row seat of the harbor and some unbelievably delicious food. 

The Balboa Ferry by @philpostro

2:00PM
Cruise the Coast on A Bike

And now it’s time to cruise! Newport Beach is one of the most bikeable towns in the country. It’s boardwalk stretches from one end of town to the other and is a steady stream of bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians. As you tour the town on bike, head to the south-most part of the peninsula. You’ll be rewarded for the longer bike ride with fewer crowds and a view like no other at The West Jetty View Park. Boats criss-cross their way in and out of the harbor’s entrance and across the way, you’ll see Pirate’s Cove. No pirates to speak of here, but instead, you’ll see a picturesque stretch of beach reminiscent of the Italian Coast. 

3:00pm
Island Hop to Yesteryear

For a few bucks, you and your family can hop aboard the Balboa Ferry from the Fun Zone and travel to the quaintest little island village you ever did see! Walk the perimeter of the island, enjoying the passing sailboats and the idyllic beach cottages. Marine Ave is the main street in town with plenty of restaurants, shops, and souvenir possibilities.

3:30PM
Life is Sweet in Newport Beach!

Once on Marine Avenue, it’s practically mandatory that you order a Newport classic: the Balboa Bar. You can find these ice creams dipped in chocolate, then dipped in whatever toppings you can imagine at Sugar’n’Spice or Dad’s Original. Enjoy them while you can because these things can only be found in Newport Beach!

@dadsdonut

it’s 5 o’clock somewhere
Dock & Dine for Happy Hour

Many people know about the electric Duffy Boats you can captain in the Newport Harbor, but what many people don’t know is that you can dock and dine with them! We recommend rounding out your day with a harbor cruise that ends at The Cannery. Located right on the bay, their views are incredible and their happy hour that lasts til 7:00 is a local favorite. 

Think this itinerary is action-packed? We’re only getting started! Newport is chock full of fun-filled activities, all within a mile or two of each other.

So ditch the road trip and spend your entire summer vacation in a one-of-kind vacation rental right on the peninsula. We have a curated list of the best homes on the beach and are a call away to answer any of your questions. This is the place to summer like you’ve never summered before!

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