A guide to booking Newport Beach houses

A guide to booking Newport Beach houses

As Los Angeles gives way to the palm-speckled San Joaquin Hills on its southern side, there’s one last hurrah of glitz and glamour – Newport Beach. A place where Hollywood A-listers rub shoulders with aficionados of fashion, the town’s steeped in sprawling malls and cool cafes. But there’s another vibe down on the coast, where long-haired surfer dudes conquer the gnarly tubes of The Wedge and colorful Newport Beach houses stake out front-row seats before beautiful Pacific sunsets.

Areas with enticing Newport Beach houses

A stunning beach-view rental pokes over a bay in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach

Before you start chasing that perfect Newport Beach house, it’s worth getting to grips with the patchwork of neighborhoods, islands, and districts that forms this corner of SoCal. Each has its own unique character and range of vacation rentals within earshot of the roaring swells.

Facing the water in West Newport

If you like smaller crowds and less buzz about your sands, West Newport could be the place for you to seek out Newport Beach houses. Low-rise condos and cottages spill straight out of the city blocks and onto the yellow-tinged powder here, meaning you should find a place that puts you right by the rolling waves. The area is also great for launching explorations north to surf-mad Huntington, or even Disneyland up in Anaheim.

Something different on Balboa Island

Transport yourself back to the California of yesteryear by hopping on the Balboa Island ferry and whizzing across the bay to this quaint and charming enclave of town. The docksides are awash with shingle-clad cottages with steep slate roofs and flower-blooming gardens. It’s a part of Newport that likes to do things differently, offering creative art boutiques, hearty beer bars, and curious deep-freeze banana deserts.

Vacation rentals in nearby Laguna Beach

Don’t despair if you can’t find any suitable beach house rentals in Newport Beach itself. Laguna Beach sits just to the south, occupying a stretch of Californian shore that’s all sparkling coves of bisque sand and aquamarine sea. There, oodles of minimalist villas and artsy cottages beckon those who want a stay just a stone’s throw from the waves.

A deluxe, luxury home stands on the coast of Balboa in Newport Beach

A perch by the Pacific in Corona del Mar

A halo of swish villas and vacation rentals clings to the arc of hills that run along the sands at Corona del Mar. Bright, breezy, and airy, these sumptuous pads by the ocean might just have the best views in town – think balconies lofted high on cliffs above the glowing Corona del Mar State Beach below. Inside, there are marine-inspired living rooms with navy blues and off whites to rest in, sprawling kitchen-diners, and primary bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Exciting features of Newport Beach houses

There’s something about Newport Beach houses that really sets them apart from the crowd. Perhaps it’s the elegant design features, the irresistible location, or all the alluring extras they bring to LA’s shores…

Outside areas to die for

It’s no secret that the right al fresco living spaces are capable of taking those coastal rentals to all new heights. That’s why so many Newport Beach houses make the most of their oceanside setting with wide balconies, wrap-around verandas, and decks. Some even have patio heaters and flame-grilling BBQs at the ready for those summer evenings under the stars.

Interiors with a touch of the ocean

The designers of beach house rentals in Newport Beach have worked hard to infuse their abodes with a taste of the nautical and marine. Lounges have dashes of blue and soothing creams. There are aqua-inspired wall decorations. There are infusions of washed-out wood and creaking deck hammocks with plenty of rustic charm.

Opulent mansions with swimming pools

Looking to be pampered? Treat yourself to one of the most exclusive escapes in affluent Newport Beach and you could stroll into a sprawling home with open-air patios, minimalist spaces filled with art, and plush bathrooms with marble walls and free-standing Victorian tubs. And that’s not even mentioning the local pads with access to indoor pools and spa facilities.

When to rent Newport Beach houses

The deck of a house in Newport Beach that overlooks the sands and the Pacific Ocean

Beach house rentals in Newport Beach and vicinity really come into their own when the temperatures start to rise and Californian life shifts to the sands. That typically happens around May and doesn’t cease until late September, meaning spring, summer, and fall each have their own draws.

Spring and fall

The real bonus of booking your Newport Beach house for months in either spring or fall is that rates will usually be considerably lower than in the midsummer. You might catch some cool evenings and mornings, but there are plenty of rentals here with warming fireplaces and cozy bedspreads to counteract the ocean chills.

The summer

High time in Newport Beach is between late May and August. This is when the good vibes roll, when skaters and bikers fill the promenades, when the live-music joints fizz with life, when surfers come by the bucket load to hit the tubes – it’s the most happening season to be in town.