Surf's up in SoCal, and so is the level of glam
From wealthy yachtsman to laid-back surfers, Newport Beach is the place to go for prime SoCal people watching. Once a quiet seaside village, today, Newport Beach is a chic and exclusive beachfront destination, complete with ritzy mansions and sprawling villas that overlook the Pacific. Thanks to stunning year-round weather, local life revolves around the beach, with all of the top activities happening on and around boats. A Newport Beach vacation rental is the perfect way to settle in to beach life, and to make you feel like you've always lived in the OC.
Start your day out with the kids, end it at home with wine
There are tons of Newport Beach museums that are worth a stop, especially if art and local history are in your wheelhouse. Tour the Orange County Museum of Art, or pay a visit to the Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society. Take the kids to the interactive ExplorOcean museum, or head down to Balboa Pier and hit up the Balboa Fun Zone, a seaside amusement park with vintage vibes. Or, leave the kids at home and hit up a local winery, complete with a bottle to take back to your Newport Beach vacation rental.
Fun for everyone, from fashionistas to families
Don't be surprised if most of your day revolves around the beach. From fresh seafood straight off the boat to watersports activities ranging from paddle boarding, surfing, and boating, there's plenty to see by the sea. Book a romantic dinner cruise for 2, or charter a boat for the whole family. Clothes horses will find nirvana at Fashion Island, an upscale outdoor mall and one of the largest of its kind in Orange County. Opt for a Newport Beach vacation rental with waterfront views, and you'll get to see local life from a whole new perspective.
It's (practically) always sunny in SoCal
Newport Beach is attractive all year long, thanks to its famous SoCal weather. Travelers looking for the best weather and the smallest crowds should consider visiting in March and April, or September and October. May and June are known for the local "June Gloom," when the sky is uncharacteristically gray. Late summer tends to be crowded and expensive, with hotter temps that can make long days outside less appealing. December through February are too cool for swimming, but should still be considered if you're in need of some winter sun.
Only leaping dolphins could make this more picturesque
Like many of Southern California's coastal towns, Newport Beach is set against a backdrop of rolling hills, perfect for hiking, wildlife-spotting, and birdwatching. For travelers who don't want to stray too far from the Pacific coast but still hope to see some action, dolphins and whales have been known to swim past, and seals have been spotted vegging on some of the sandy beaches. If you're antsy to hit the high seas, take a boat or ferry ride out to Catalina Island, and explore a new SoCal hotspot for the day.
How to get to and around Newport Beach
The nearest airport is in John Wayne Airport (SNA), located 5.7 mi (9.2 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into Long Beach Municipal Airport (LGB), which is 18.5 mi (29.8 km) away.
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