Top 7 “Not to Miss” Adventures in Newport Beach

7Top “Not to Miss” Adventures in Newport Beach By Deirdre Michalski Newport Beach is a coastal town often described as the “gem” of Orange County, California. Nestled at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Newport is known for charming villages, boating, water activities, hiking, and stunning beaches. In addition, there are seven tiny islands dotting the bay, an ecological preserve, golf courses, restaurants galore and ten neighborhoods — all offering a unique Southern California vibe.

Photos (Top): Corona del Mar coast; (Bottom): Rent a boat for the day. ©Riva de Balboa Boat Rental Having lived in this area for almost 30 years, I have peeled back the beach blanket to share a treasuretrove of spots that are bound to make your visit extra-special.

Dining in A Lush Garden

In recent months, many restaurants have become very adept at creating inviting new spaces for outdoor patio dining. There are two restaurants that have been doing just that for years. Both are located smack-dab in the middle of lush gardens, creating a fabulous setting for celebration dining or a romantic date night.

Café Jardin at Sherman Library & Gardens is located in the heart of Corona del Mar. This French-inspired lunch spot is set within a 2.2 acre garden. Sherman Gardens is a living oasis that changes with the seasons, with a koi pond, turtles, succulents, amazing florals, fountains, flowering trees and lush greenery. Chef’s Pascal Olhats and Jessica Roy offer elegant patio dining for lunch Wednesday through Saturday, Sunday brunch and special event dinners.

The Farmhouse at Roger’s Garden is just steps away from Fashion Island. Roger’s Garden is a candy store for serious gardeners and interior designers alike. It is a nursery, but so much more. They have rooms filled

with seasonal home goods, gift items, candles and custom floral arrangements. Chef and owner Rick Mead’s restaurant features tables that are literally tucked in among the plantings creating an intimate dining experience. Serving lunch, happy hour and dinner, it’s a wonderful escape.

Exploring Historic Crystal Cove

This 12-acre Historic District of Crystal Cove right on the beach retains its charm from the 1930s and still today, every evening at 5:00 pm, the trumpet sounds the familiar toast to Happy Hour.

The Beachcomber Restaurant and Bootlegger Bar serve delicious food and beverages, and the Crystal Cove Conservancy is renovating the many historic cottages that are available for rental. Guests can walk, or take a bus from the parking lot at Los Trancos Creek Road down to the village.

Insider’s Tip: Since reservations are hard to get, we set up camp with our beach chairs right on the water. The restaurant will buzz you when your table is ready!

Make a Big Splash in a Spectacular Pool

One view I never tire of is the Coliseum Pool at the Resort at Pelican Hill. This pool is one of the most unique I have ever seen. Imagine this— a circular pool measuring an expansive 138 feet across. Perched above the well-maintained green golf course, the resort faces the shimmering azure waters of the Pacific and stunning ocean views.

To enjoy a swim here, one needs to be a resort guest staying overnight, or you can rent a Cabana (subject to availability, of course). I have rented a Cabana and which is great fun. Typically, I enjoy the pool while dining at the nearby Coliseum Pool and Grill. If you time it right, this outdoor patio is the perfect spot to capture stellar sunset photos. This will however, make your friends at home very jealous.

Jump In... The Water’s Warm

Balboa Water Sports rents Sea-Doo's for both single and tandem adventures. These can be ridden beyond the harbor and riders enjoy getting out in the open ocean to enjoy more active water. We delight in seeing dolphins, sea lions, and beautiful boats skipping across the water. Stand up paddle boarding in the Back Bay offer more tranquil waters for newbies. Pirate Coast Paddle Company at Newport Dunes and Newport Aquatic Center are two great rental businesses.

Insider's Tip: Don't miss the opportunity to ride the Ferry. This has been running continuously since 1919. Guests can hop on at Balboa Island (at Agate Avenue) or the Peninsula side (Palms Street). Cars, pedestrians and bicycles are all welcome.

Skipper Your Own Boat...Or Not

For those who fancy being a boat captain, there are many options here in the West Coast’s largest harbor. Confident boaters can rent an electric Duffy Boat for a few hours and bring your own food and beverages on-board. Duffy Boat Rentals along PCH, and EB Rentals on Lido Village are two of my favorites.

There are also boat rentals reminiscent of a floating bar with a canopy of palm fronds swaying in the breeze. Riva de Balboa has sleek wooden and fiberglass boats that are a throw-back to the 1950's. These boats can be rented on Balboa Island and just steps south of the Ferry.

For those who just want to hand over the wheel, Captain Newport offers luxury boat and yacht charters with three-to-eight-hour cruise options.

Newport Landing Whale Watching offers 120-minute excursions each day along with privately chartered boats. Imagine seeing giant blue, finback, and gray whales, dolphins, sea lions and endless bird life overhead. Davey's Locker also offers whale watching and is well-known for their deep-sea fishing jaunts for half or full day and even overnight excursions.

Day Trip to Catalina Island

Walking along Crescent Avenue (called Front Street by locals), the main boardwalk along the bay is filled with charming restaurants, ice cream shops, boutiques and hotels. It’s a lovely spot to meander, and guests can also arrange tours into the countryside of the island. Beginning in the 1920's Catalina was developed into a tourist destination by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr.

I know it’s hard to believe, but this island is also famous for its buffalo. They were brought over to film Zane Grey's 1925 film The Vanishing America, and the film crew left them behind.

Insider’s Tip: The Catalina Flyer catamaran offers one daily departure from Newport at 9:00 am, arriving in the port of Avalon at 10:15 am. It departs Catalina at 4:30 pm and returns to Newport at 5:45 pm.

The Iconic Balboa Pavilion-A Beacon for Newport Beach

A six-minute ferry ride across the bay with boats all around is a lovely trip. Once guests are on the peninsula side, there’s a Fun Zone with a Ferris wheel, small shops, and game arcades.

The historic Balboa Pavilion at the southern end is well worth seeing. The iconic building was fully completed on July 1,1906 to coincide with the completion of the Pacific Electric Red Car Line which began near Pasadena, winding down through Los Angeles and Long Beach, and ending on the Balboa Peninsula.

The Pavilion presides over the harbor in regal elegance with its long sloping roof line and ornate Victorian cupola at its crown. It’s now home to sports fishing boats at the dock, a restaurant and bar downstairs, and a magnificent upstairs ballroom.

For more information on things to do in Newport Beach, visit: www.VisitNewportBeach.com

Photos (Top-Bottom): Coliseum Pool at dusk; Back Bay; Tiki Boat