Newport Beach

Travel Guide

Newport Beach which includes landscape views, tropical scenes and a sandy beach
Newport Beach showing a beach
Newport Beach showing a monument and signage
Newport Beach
Newport Beach showing 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 showing 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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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 Pelican Hill Golf Course and Crystal Cove while in the area.

Newport Coast
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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 Pelican Hill Golf Course.

Corona del Mar
Newport Beach showing a monument and signage

West Newport

While visiting West Newport, you might make a stop by sights like Newport Pier and Mother’s Beach.

West Newport
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Newport Center

If you're spending some time in Newport Center, Fashion Island and Regal Edwards Big Newport are top sights worth seeing.

Newport Center
Pendry Newport Beach

Pendry Newport Beach

4.5 out of 5
690 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM1,333 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
RM1,333
RM1,804 total
30 Oct - 31 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Newport Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (397 reviews)
"It was greatness"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Pendry Newport Beach
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel

Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel

4 out of 5
4500 Macarthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA
The price is RM622 per night from 7 Nov to 8 Nov
RM622
RM717 total
7 Nov - 8 Nov
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"None"

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West

4 out of 5
4545 Macarthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA
The price is RM753 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
RM753
RM830 total
6 Nov - 7 Nov
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! (1,017 reviews)
"It was my first time checking at this location. The front desk person while I was checking in was so pleasant and very welcoming. I am very happy about our stay and I would recommend this hotel."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West
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.
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II

3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 outdoor pools, and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,186 reviews)
"Roomy, comfortable bed, quiet, and clean."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Sentral Gaslamp Quarter

Sentral Gaslamp Quarter

3 out of 5
502 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions Petco Park and Port of San Diego ...
9/10 Wonderful! (449 reviews)
"Great location downtown… walking distance to grocery store and fun entertainment. We had a great room with a balcony that wrapped around. They also had a beautiful rooftop terrace to lounge. The valet parking and housekeeping were a bit pricey."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Sentral Gaslamp Quarter
Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel

2.5 out of 5
1736 State St, San Diego, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Port of San Diego and USS Midway Museum ...
8/10 Very Good! (80 reviews)
"Our stay was convenient and in the heart of Little Italy"

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart 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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Newport Beach

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
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3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great beach