Newport Beach

Travel Guide

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

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 Harbor, 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

Balboa Peninsula is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Balboa Beach and Balboa Pier.

Balboa Peninsula
One of the places I go to most for photography. Lots of different rock formations at this beach.

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
House at the “V”

Balboa Island

The beaches and waterfront are a few reasons travelers visit Balboa Island. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Balboa Pier and Newport Dune are a few top sights nearby.

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

Newport Coast

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
Default Image

Lido Isle

Though Lido Isle might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions 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 P9,929 per night from 26 May to 27 May
P9,929
P10,941 total
May 26 - May 27
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Newport Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,011 reviews)
"Nice experience. Great staff. Nice rooms."

Reviewed on May 9, 2025

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
4 out of 5
1107 Jamboree Rd, Newport Beach, CA
The price is P11,546 per night from 26 May to 27 May
P11,546
P15,867 total
May 26 - May 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Newport Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 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 May 12, 2025

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
4 out of 5
4500 Macarthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA
The price is P9,427 per night from 17 May to 18 May
P9,427
P10,859 total
May 17 - May 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Newport Beach. Enjoy a free airport shuttle, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,011 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on May 13, 2025

Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
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 WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,392 reviews)
"Beautiful and great staff."

Reviewed on May 13, 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 WiFi, laundry facilities, and housekeeping. Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (157 reviews)
"Great suburban area with lots of good food option."

Reviewed on May 9, 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 WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (626 reviews)
"Nice place, walkable to many things"

Reviewed on May 2, 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.

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