Newport Beach is More Than Just a Beach Town – 7 Beach-free Activities

Your Travel Guide @ Beachview Vacations

May 26, 2021

A beach day isn’t the only way to live it up in Newport Beach. In fact, there is loads more to see and do in this city-sized playground.

Who needs the cold waters of the Pacific when you have an endless supply of restaurants, shops, hikes, vistas, and entertainment all at your fingertips? Our advice: skip the salt and sand and soak up the fun that’s waiting beyond the beach.

@lidomarinavillage

Sunny Outdoor Shopping with SoCal Style

Right on the peninsula is Lido Marina Village, an Instagrammable bricklaned shopping destination lined with luxury and coastal brands as well as chic home goods boutiques. There’s even a picture-perfect hole-in-the-wall bookstore, Lido Village Books, and a nearby cart bursting with fresh flowers and bouquets for sale dubbed French Buckets Florist. Enjoy live music 5 days a week on their deck that overlooks the bay while sipping on a cocktail from one of the marina’s bistros. Venture off the peninsula and you’ll find Fashion Island, a world-class shopping destination. In this sprawling outdoor mall, you’ll find designer stores and familiar favorites next to courtyards, fountains, and koi ponds. In our experience, these two malls make for perfect I-don’t-want-to-go-to-the-beach afternoons.

@nbconservancy

Hit the Trails for Some Serious Panoramic Perfection

From misty morning hikes to romantic sunset strolls, Newport Beach has some of the most picturesque and accessible trails and pathways for enjoying Mother Nature at her finest. One of our go-to’s is the Back Bay Nature Preserve. With over 10.5 miles of wide paths and little elevation change, these coastal wetlands are teeming with migratory birds and local wildflowers at every turn. We also have to brag about the trails at Crystal Cove State Park. Right off the Pacific Coast Highway on the outskirts of town, these trails will make you work for the payoff: sweeping, uninterrupted views of the ocean.

@malibufarmlido

Eat your Way Through Town

Newport Beach has as many delicious restaurants as it does palm trees. With so many 5-star options, it’s tough to choose the perfect restaurant. Will it be the sensationally fresh seafood, the mouth-watering south-of-the-border-inspired dishes, or the many specialized organic eats? From every corner of town, you’ll be blown away by the diversity and deliciousness of California’s food scene.

Here are our must-trys that will guarantee you three square meals of perfection: First, rise and shine with Haute Cakes Caffe, an all-day breakfast tucked away in a Secret Garden. Then head to the hottest lunch spot in town, Bear Flag, where you can enjoy the restaurant’s fresh catch of the day in tacos, poke, and burritos. End the day on a classy, but casual note at Malibu Farm Lido, which serves the epitome of California cuisine with a bayfront view.

@newportbeachgolf

We’ve got the Tee on the City’s Best Golf Courses

Golf Digest listed Orange County as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Golf Destinations. And once you step onto the greens, you’ll see why. Each course in Newport Beach is a hole in one – but for their own reasons!

Some are over-the-top breath-taking, while some are a terrific bang for your buck. If you’re willing to throw down some cash for a round of golf with a constant backdrop of the ocean, Pelican Hill Golf Course is your place. On the opposite side of the bougie spectrum is the Newport Beach Golf Course, which is as cheap as anything and is open until 9:00pm! The locals’ favorite course would have to be Mile Square Golf Course. It’s a 15 minute drive from the beach, but is affordable while also offering a solid, well-designed course.

@pelicanhillresort

Whoever said “Beauty is Pain” has Never Been Pampered in Newport Beach

If California is the home of health and wellness, Newport Beach is the front door! Treat yourself to an afternoon (or two or three!) of pampering.

The Soho Salon has some of the best manicurists in the biz, while the Serenity Skin Spa is easily the place to get the facial of your life. If you have an event while in town and are in need of a glam team, Blanc Noir Hairdressing’s got you covered, and they are conveniently located right on the peninsula. If you prefer to provide your own pampering, Cos Bar in Lido Marina Village has all of your favorite beauty supplies in stock. Their team is also hyper knowledgeable and can point you to some new favorites. If you’re looking to escape to a day of total relaxation and indulgence, take a drive down PCH to The Spa at Pelican Hill, where you will find the ultimate spa day experience.

@beachviewrealty

Soak up the Beach Life from a Beach Cruiser

Newport Beach is one of the most bikeable towns in the country. In true local fashion, ditch your car keys and tour the town on a beach cruiser. The main thoroughfare in town is the Newport Beach boardwalk, which stretches right along the sand and is a steady stream of bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians.

This is where the best people-watching takes place, but the thing to look out for are the leaping dolphins that love showing off to beachgoers. As you pedal through town, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and shops to stop off at and explore. And once you make it to the south-most part of the boardwalk, you’ll be rewarded with 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. Need a bike? You can rent a classic beach cruiser from Beachview Bikes & More.

@theshermangardens

Newport’s Hidden Gems are Roger’s Gardens and Sherman Library & Gardens

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Newport Beach is Roger’s Gardens, a large and lush nursery that many people flock to for an afternoon escape. Enjoy an afternoon under the verandas, peruse the impressive garden shops, or grab a bite to eat at the Farmhouse Restaurant that shares the same campus. Once you’ve entered this real-life Secret Garden, you’ll never want to leave!

But do your best to tear yourself away so you can experience the unbelievable oasis that is Sherman Library & Gardens, located right on PCH. For $5 bucks, you can tour their greenhouses, desert landscapes, zen gardens, and jaw-dropping courtyards with installations that change with the seasons. Both gardens are run by teams that are passionate about educating others on how to care for and appreciate plants and flowers of all shapes and sizes.