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TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Get Outdoors! Social-Distancing is Easy in Newport Beach

Your Travel Guide @ Beachview Vacations

DECEMBER 10, 2020

Take advantage of Newport Beach’s predictably perfect weather.   Plan a getaway filled with exciting and unique outdoor activities that any age will enjoy! 

Here are our top favorites:

Captain your own Electric Duffy Boat 

Experience Newport Beach from the bay! These easy-to-use electric boats can fit up to 12 adults and are a terrific way to celebrate special occasions or to simply enjoy the beautiful and expansive Newport Harbor. You’ll drift past spectacular homes and will likely see a sea lion sunbathing on a nearby sailboat. Don’t forget to pack food and drinks for your harbor cruise as this is the ideal venue for showing off your charcuterie board skills.

Pick your Paddle 

There’s nothing quite like catching your first wave on a surfboard and Newport Beach has some of the best waves for learning how it’s done. The Newport Beach Pier is the favorite spot for beginners, while waves suitable for more experienced surfers can be found just about everywhere else. If hanging ten isn’t your thing, try Stand-up Paddling or Kayaking. The pace might be slower than surfing, but the reward is just as thrilling. 

Cruise through town on Beach Cruiser

Newport’s boardwalk is the town’s main thoroughfare that stretches right along the beach. On this road, the speed limit caps off at 8MPH. Here, you’ll find beach cruisers weaving through pedestrians or 4-person surreys honking their bicycle horns to warn of their lumbering approach. Rent yourself some wheels and join the fun as the parade of bicycles cruise from one end of town to another. 

Newport Landing Whale Watching

Photo by:
Kristin Campbell

Whale Watching with the Kids

Humpback whales grace the shores of Newport Beach as they migrate from the cold Arctic to the warmer waters of Baja. Witness the majesty for yourself on one of the many whale watching excursions that depart from the harbor. You’ll most likely to be visited by the local dolphins and sea lions as well, who love to show off to visitors. 

Shop Fashion Island 

The best shopping around, but what makes this mall a worthwhile visit is its sprawling outdoor layout, featuring delightful alcoves, courtyards, and fountains. Pets are welcome, too. Whether it’s for an afternoon of retail therapy or a quiet morning by the koi ponds, you’ll find plenty to do at Fashion Island. 

Cozy up with a Bonfire 

Grab your s’more supplies and enjoy a beachside bonfire at one of the fire pits near the Balboa Pier. The fire pits are available on a first-come-first-served basis and are free to use.

Jump on a Ferry to Balboa Island

Travel back in time by taking a ferry ride to the charming town of Balboa Island. The streets are small and quiet, but the homes burst with flowers and delightful gardens. Stroll down Marine Avenue, the main street that features the island’s shops and restaurants, and treat yourself to a Balboa Bar, a delicious ice cream creation unique to Newport Beach. A visit to Balboa Island is the perfect afternoon escape. 

Hike Crystal Cove and the Back Bay

Hiking in Newport Beach isn’t hiking unless there are plenty of waterscape views. The Crystal Cove and Newport Back Bay hiking trails are no exception. Crystal Cove delivers uninterrupted views of the ocean from trails that range from easy to medium difficulty, while the Back Bay’s trails wind through coastal wetlands filled with migratory birds and local wildflowers.

Peruse the Farmer’s Market 

Every Sunday from 9am-1pm, tables and tents spring to life on the Newport Pier to display fresh local produce and delightful specialty items. Grab a coffee and doughnut and amble through the market, maybe stopping for a bouquet or a jar of honey. It’s an idyllic way to end the weekend.

Newport Beach Farmers’ Market

YUM! @bouledepainla

Savor Newport’s Outdoor Patio Dining

Who wants to eat indoors when it is always cool and comfortable outside in Newport? The majority of restaurants here fling open their doors to expand their service onto patios so their patrons can enjoy the fresh ocean breezes and clear open skies. Whether brunching or fine dining, you’ll find an abundance of delightful restaurants that offer al fresco service. 

Explore the Tidepools 

A menagerie of marine wildlife awaits in the tidepools of Corona Del Mar. Hermit crabs, sea anemones, and sea cucumbers are the true locals on this beach. Access is easy and parking is free. When the tide is low, the pools are calm and safe to navigate, making this a magical excursion for any age. 

Romp on Dog Beach

Whether you own a dog or not, a visit to Huntington Dog Beach is as entertaining an activity as it gets. Here you’ll find a puppy paradise filled with dogs romping on the sand and in the sea. Leashes are not mandatory here, so you’ll likely be greeted by a plethora of canines. And if you prefer a more mellow atmosphere for you and your pup, leashed dogs are allowed on the beaches of Newport before 9am and after 4:30pm.  

Set out on a Beach Camping Trip 

The San Onofre campgrounds are just a short drive away and offer campsites with a front row seat to the beach. Pitch your tent and you will suddenly have oceanfront property. You’ll wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore and will have direct access to pristine sand beaches, making this a true “glamping” experience.  

Photo by:
Bear Flag Fish Co.

Unwind with some Fishing 

Cast a line from the Newport or Balboa pier and catch tonight’s dinner alongside the local fisherman. From the surfers below you to the sightseers strolling along the pier, you’ll be right in the center of action all day long. Or if you’d like to brave the open ocean, hop aboard one of the many chartered fishing boats that depart from the Newport Harbor. 

Return to the Simple Pastime of Seashell Hunting: The soft sand beaches of Newport are only interrupted by the seashells that dot its shores. Take an early morning stroll by the water and select a few treasures as your keepsakes. It’s a peaceful and meditative activity that so often goes forgotten in the hum and hustle of routine.

Soak up all of Newport Beach’s sights and activities and stay here for your next vacation. Book a beach cottage or seaside villa and escape to your paradise. An array of options and price points can be found here..


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