Newport Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Newport Beach showing a beach, landscape views and tropical scenes
Newport Beach which includes a beach
Newport Beach featuring a monument and signage
Newport Beach
Newport Beach which includes a sunset, waves and swimming

This chic, oceanfront community is famous for its beautiful surf, views and houses.

This stretch of coastline was dismissed as unusable until a railway was built in 1905 to bring beachgoers. Today it is one of the jewels of California’s Orange County.

Popular with water-sport enthusiasts, the waves here are packed with body boarders and surfers. The waves at the eastern end of Balboa Peninsula (dubbed “The Wedge”) are monstrous in summer—for calmer waters, head to Newport Harbour, which is popular with sailboats, paddleboards and kayaks. If you want to sit back and let someone else do the work, you can rent a gondola for a romantic, guided harbour cruise. Much more than just a dock, this is one of the largest recreational boat harbours on the US West Coast.

Newport Beach’s boardwalk is the centre of life here, and it comes alive with scores of skateboarders, rollerbladers and cyclists zooming along during the peak summer months—keep your wits about you if you are out for a leisurely stroll. Most of the tourist activity is around the waterfront—grab a bite here or pick up some souvenirs from the stalls along the shoreline.

If you want to get away from the beach, head inland to Fashion Island, where the glamorous locals come to shop. This outdoor shopping area, located in the central business district, has 200 shops including US department stores Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. The lavishly landscaped area includes an enormous koi pond, 40 restaurants and a cinema complex and is the perfect place for some retail therapy after all that time in the sun.

For an unusual view over Newport Beach, head out to the Balboa Peninsula and hop onto the old-fashioned Ferris wheel at Balboa Fun Zone. One of Southern California’s oldest coastal amusement parks, it offers traditional seaside entertainment like bumper cars and a carousel.

Newport Beach is located 16 kilometres south of downtown Santa Ana.

Where to stay in Newport Beach

Newport Beach featuring a monument and signage

Balboa Peninsula

5/5(5 area reviews)

Travellers to Balboa Peninsula praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Balboa Beach and Balboa Pier.

Balboa Peninsula
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Corona del Mar

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Corona del Mar. You might want to make time for a stop at Corona del Mar State Beach or Sherman Library and Garden.

Corona del Mar
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Balboa Island

Balboa Island is well liked for its beaches and waterfront. If you're hoping to see more of the larger area, Balboa Pier and Newport Dune are some interesting sights nearby to check out.

Balboa Island
Crystal Cove State Park showing general coastal views and a house

Newport Coast

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Newport Coast is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Crystal Cove and Pelican Hill Golf Course while in the area.

Newport Coast
Newport Beach featuring a monument and signage

West Newport

While visiting West Newport, you might make a stop by sights like Balboa Peninsula Beaches and Newport Pier.

West Newport
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Lido Isle

While Lido Isle may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Newport Pier and Balboa Beach.

Lido Isle
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West
4 out of 5
4545 Macarthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA
The price is ₹15,223 per night from 30 May to 31 May
₹15,223
₹16,775 total
30 May - 31 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Newport Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Everything"

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
4 out of 5
4500 Macarthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA
The price is ₹14,453 per night from 25 May to 26 May
₹14,453
₹16,649 total
25 May - 26 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Newport Beach. Enjoy a free airport shuttle, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
"A staff walked into my room while I was undressed. I get it was a misunderstanding but when I informed the front desk she made it seem like I wasn’t a big deal. Although she did not apologize she gave me free valet. So I guess that makes up for it. But besides that it was a great stay very clean ..."

Reviewed on 15 May 2025

Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
4 out of 5
1107 Jamboree Rd, Newport Beach, CA
The price is ₹16,334 per night from 23 May to 24 May
₹16,334
₹22,750 total
23 May - 24 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Newport Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and a golf course. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Property is beautiful. but, I didn't know that we have to pay for self parking. it was extra money we never expected."

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
4 out of 5
3075 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA
Stay at this 4-star beach condo in Carlsbad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,394 reviews)
"Beautiful and great staff."

Reviewed on 13 May 2025

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
2.5 out of 5
819 University Ave, San Diego, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and housekeeping. Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (159 reviews)
"The room was very small but it was super clean and had everything we needed."

Reviewed on 15 May 2025

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
3 out of 5
219 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (627 reviews)
"Nice place, walkable to many things"

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Newport Beach

4.5
Top destination
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3 - Okay
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5/5 - Excellent

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