26 Cool Things to Do in Newport Beach, CA

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Beaches & Boats | Sites & Attractions | Food & Drinks | Hiking & Outdoors

As a California local, I’ve explored Newport Beach extensively. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and every visit only makes me love it more. This small beach town is nestled between Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, making it an excellent place to stay in Orange County.

Using my lifetime of experience, I’ve put together this list to help you find fun and unique things to do in Newport Beach. Let’s dive in!

26 Things to Do in Newport Beach

Newport Beach

Embark on all manner of fun in the sun on a beautiful beach and boardwalk.

A gull at the shoreline of Newport Beach — *The gulls enjoy Newport Beach with or without the sun*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 644-3309 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

What better place to start than the city’s namesake, Newport Beach? Boasting the warmest water in Orange County, Newport Beach Municipal Beach is a 5-mile stretch of sandy beach built for relaxation.

A smooth boardwalk runs along the beach, continuing around the southern end of the Balboa Peninsula. Renting an electric bike and cruising the full boardwalk is a great way for newcomers to get the lay of the land.

You’ll find loads of cute shops, bars, and restaurants along the boardwalk. There are great spots mere steps from the beach, including my favorite hotel in Newport, Doryman’s Oceanfront Inn.

👉 Pro Tip: Leave time to chat when walking the boardwalk. It’s not uncommon to meet friendly locals hanging out in front of the beach houses – and the summer rental set throws some truly epic parties.

Newport Beach Pier

Stroll and enjoy the view from this iconic wooden pier.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 644-3309 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 12 am | Entrance: Free

The pier is often a center of activity in SoCal’s beach cities. For example, the Malibu Pier is a staple Malibu attraction, and the world-famous Santa Monica Pier is among the top attractions of Los Angeles.

The Newport Beach Pier, on the other hand, is more of a throwback. It’s mellow and romantic, most popular for pier fishing or enjoying the view. It’s excellent for strolling hand-in-hand with the one you love, though it does draw a fair amount of foot traffic from summer tourists on weekends.

I recommend picking up a hot drink at Newport Coffee to warm up on chilly off-season afternoons. Make sure to check out the seasonal specials too!

Balboa Island

Explore charming shops and restaurants on a tiny island in Newport Harbor.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Balboa Island was a man-made island developed in the early 20th century as a summer vacation destination. Aside from now being a year-round slice of utopia, the branding stuck. Charming storefronts and Victorian architecture, like the Balboa Pavilion, remain hallmarks of this quaint community.

The view from the Balboa Pier is pretty sweet, and Balboa Island’s iconic goodies are sweeter still. Icy delights Balboa Bars and Frozen Bananas have satisfied sweet tooths for the better part of a century. But the latter has a more modern claim to fame.

Fans of Arrested Development will recognize more around here than the local banana stand, Sugar ‘n Spice. After all, the show is set in Newport Beach.

⛴️ How to Get There: The most fun way to reach the island is the Balboa Island Ferry, which is open to pedestrians and vehicles. Parking on Balboa Island is very limited, so having a car is usually more of a bother than anything. Visitors can easily explore the island on foot.

Balboa Pier

Fish, relax, or grab a bite on the most popular pier in Newport.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 644-3309 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 12 am | Entrance: Free

My most loved parts of Newport Beach are the ones that feel almost like a living time capsule — a step back to the quieter days before cell phones and social media.

Nowhere is this feeling more prevalent than on Balboa Pier, up to and including Ruby’s, a 1950s-style diner at the pier’s end. The food is pretty standard, but this menu’s winner is ice cream. There’s something particularly delightful about a simple soft-serve cone when it’s paired with a gorgeous view and an ocean breeze.

The Balboa Pier is very popular for fishing. You’ll find a fairly wide range of species inhabiting the waters here, including prized halibut and bonito. Facilities include benches, lights, and fish-cleaning stations ( though if blood & guts are the sort of thing that turns your tummy, best to stick with nearby Newport Pier instead).

Balboa Fun Zone

Frolic in an old-school amusement park with a Ferris wheel and arcade.

The Balboa Fun Zone signage at the entrance at night — *The sign, like much of this amusement park, has stood the test of time*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 662-0193 | Website | Hours (Ferris wheel): 11 am – 9 pm Mon-Thurs; 11 am – 10 pm Fri-Sat; 11 am – 9 pm Sun | Entrance: Free

Balboa Fun Zone is one of the best family-friendly activities in Newport Beach… and is just what it sounds like. It’s as classic an amusement park as one could hope to find, and this seaside stop is filled with a variety of fun and games.

While the Balboa Ferris Wheel may not be as famous as the one in Santa Monica, it’s still good fun and costs just $5 per ride. Plus, while the area gets plenty busy in summer, crowds here pale in comparison to those up near LA.

Beaches & Boats

Newport Harbor

Check out enormous superyachts and other sea-faring craft at Orange County’s largest marina.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 642-4644 | Entrance: Free | 👉 Browse Newport Harbor Cruises on Viator

Newport Harbor will be right up your alley if you like big boats and you cannot lie. Here there be superyachts. They’re privately owned and inaccessible, to be sure, but still fabulous to look at. And there are plenty of outstanding options for getting out on the water.

Harbor cruises are the best thing to do here. Brunch cruises, dinner cruises, sunset cruises, private cruises, party cruises – Newport Harbor has them all, and then some.

Boat rentals are also readily available, ranging from kayak to yacht. Zipping around on a Duffy boat with good friends and a picnic is hard to beat. The kayaks are a lot of fun, but if you’re a beginner, tackle Newport Harbor with someone who isn’t.

Balboa Beach

Settle down or snuggle up to someone special on this calm stretch of sandy seashore.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 673-3371 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm | Entrance: Free

Balboa Beach is the most remote seafront in Newport Beach. It’s nested between Balboa Pier and the jetty that forms the southern end of Balboa Peninsula.

This is a beautiful spot to kick back and relax, but don’t plan on going too wild. Grills, amplified music, and beach tents are not permitted here. However, there are a few fire pits for evening beachgoers.

While many residents of the houses along the boardwalk will happily chat with strangers or offer a cold beer, a few are quick to involve the authorities in any situation not up to code.

Catalina Flyer

Cruise from Newport Beach to Catalina Island on a ferry boat.

View from the outside of the Balboa Pavillion — *Balboa Pavilion, the departure/arrival point for the Catalina Flyer ferry*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 673-5245 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 9 pm | Entrance: $60 & up

Catalina Island is an easy excursion from Newport Beach. Simply hop on the Catalina Flyer and you’ll be wandering around the picturesque village of Avalon in about an hour.

A full-service bar is available on board to kick off your trip, as well as a variety of snacks. I recommend booking an online reservation for the ferry and using a ride-share service when you get there.

Newport Beach Whale Watching

Spot whales in the wild just off the coast.

A whale swimming at the Newport coast with seabirds flying over it — *A whale swimming near the Newport coast*

Gray whales and rare blue whales migrate through the waters near Newport Beach, so it’s no surprise that whale-watching tours are among the area’s top activities.

Davey’s Locker and Newport Landing Whale Watching are two popular operators with daily tours. Smaller outfits offering private tours are more expensive but tend to offer a more curated experience. To get the best pics, choose the tour with the smallest boat.

Gray whale season is typically from December to April. Giant blue whales are more often in the area from May to November. Dolphins and sea lions are year-round residents commonly spotted on these excursions too.

Corona del Mar State Beach

Take in the view from a picture-perfect sandy beach framed by cliffs.

Close up view of waves at the Big Corona Beach — *Big Corona Beach*

View of waves at the Little Corona Beach — *Little Corona Beach*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 718-1859 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm | Entrance: Free, parking fees vary by lot

The seaside neighborhood of Corona del Mar is an upcoming destination in its own right, and the main attraction is the superb Corona del Mar State Beach. Wave-carved cliffs and lush green bluffs make this perhaps the most dramatically beautiful setting in Newport Beach.

Corona del Mar State Beach is a great spot to get in the water, with gentle waves and a mostly sandy sea floor. Tide pools at either end of the beach are teeming with life, especially for divers equipped to rove beneath the surface.

Also known as Big Corona Beach, this half-mile stretch of sand terminates at Inspiration Point Park. From this lookout, it’s just a 4-minute walk to one of Newport’s hidden treasures, Little Corona Beach.

👉 Pro Tip: Corona del Mar State Beach is one of few California State Parks that does NOT accept the Annual Day Use Pass.

Sites & Attractions

Sherman Library and Gardens

Delve into chronicles of history and wonders of nature.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 673-2261 | Website | Hours: 10:30 am – 4 pm daily | Entrance: $5

The small Sherman Library & Gardens is one of the most quaint attractions in Newport Beach.

It sports a darling rose garden. The Sherman Library collections specialize in the history of the Pacific Southwest. Selected volumes and photographs are on view for all visitors, and archival research is available by appointment.

Don’t miss the onsite restaurant, 608 Dahlia, whose ‘garden-to-table’ menu features produce and edible blooms from the Sherman Library gardens.

Fashion Island

Splurge on designer goodies at this luxurious outdoor mall.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 721-2000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Sat; 11 am – 6 pm Sunday

Fashion Island is a paradise for trendsetters and shopaholics. It’s huge, it’s pretty, and with 180 stores and services, you’re going to find what you’re looking for.

Fashion Island is a high-end Southern California mall in a high-end community. While the prices don’t soar to quite the heights of Rodeo Drive, they’re far from cheap.

If you do spot a sale sign, investigate further. Deals here are fewer and further between, but the ones you find are often of the jackpot variety.

Lido Marina Village

Peruse artisan boutiques and al fresco dining in a picturesque dock-side center near popular boat rental agencies.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10 am – 7 pm

Looking for a place to rent an aforementioned Duffy boat or a host of other colorful charter boats? You’ll find them at Lido Marina Village. For those who have a boat already, it’s also a great place to dock ‘n dine – or dock ‘n shop!

For a marvelous girls’ day, follow up your visit to the boutiques of Lido Marina Village with a wellness package at an upscale boutique day spa. It’s a pretty sweet deal, including multiple treatments followed by snacks and mimosas in your own private lounge.

The Spa at Pelican Hill

Pamper yourself with personalized treatments at the luxurious Pelican Hill Resort.

View from the entrance of Pelican Hill — *One of a few grand entrances to the Pelican Hill Resort*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 507-6427 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 6 pm

Pelican Hill Spa is just the place to indulge in ultimate relaxation and self-care. Here, expert therapists provide treatments that soothe your body, mind, and soul.

A Forbes Five-Star Spa, Pelican Hill’s signature Coastal Renewal treatment includes a massage, rejuvenating herbal body buff, body wrap, and mini-facial. Every treatment includes the use of the spa’s Acqua Colonnades, featuring steam rooms, saunas, and saltwater soaking tubs.

Pelican Hill Golf Club

Play a round at a luxurious oceanfront golf club featuring scenery on par with paradise.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (844) 878-0942 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 5 pm | Tee Time: $145 & up

Between lush greens and breathtaking vistas, Pelican Hill Golf Club is eighteen holes of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Public tee times are limited and can fill up quickly, so I’d recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance!

Booking luxury lodgings at Pelican Hill Resort is key for those who want to ensure plenty of time out on the links. In addition to having one of Newport’s best restaurants, Pelican Grill, the Pelican Hill Spa is an escape indulgent enough to have earned its own spot on this list.

Food & Drinks

21 Oceanfront

Dine in an opulent seaside restaurant steps from Newport Pier.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 673-2100 | Website | Hours: 4 – 9 pm Sun–Thurs; 4 – 10 pm Fri & Sat

Expect a luxurious dining experience, exceptionally fresh seafood, and spectacular sunset views at 21 Oceanfront. Save this spot for a special night, or get a taste without dropping tons of $$$ at their happy hour, Sunday through Thursday from 4-7 pm.

Early risers can get in with the pros procuring the catch of the day from Dory Fishing Fleet, a local fish market mere steps away from the restaurant’s entrance. They’ll stay open until noon if the supply holds out, but the best catch is usually gone by 7 am.

Woody’s Wharf

Feast on fresh seafood and sip classic cocktails at a neighborhood go-to with a great view of the marina.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 675-0474 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 11 pm Mon-Wed; 10 am – 1:30 am Thu-Fri; 9 am – 1:30 am Sat; 9 am – 10 pm Sun

If you were rebooting Cheers in Newport Beach, Woody’s Wharf is where you’d go. This is easily my favorite restaurant in Newport since Woody’s is all about a comfortable environment and good food.

The bar is a great place to stop in for a drink and has welcoming bartenders who are happy to chat on quiet evenings. After the kitchen closes, you can get drinks from the bar and sit out on the patio, a fabulous spot to confab with friends while enjoying a dynamite view of Newport Harbor.

Newport Landing Restaurant

Dig in at a legendary waterfront restaurant boasting the “longest happy hour in town”.

View of the signage at the Newport Landing Restaurant — *Ample signage guides you to the Newport Landing restaurant*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 675-2373 | Website | Hours: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm Sun-Thurs; 11:30 am – 9 pm Fri & Sat

Newport Landing is a much-loved mainstay in the Newport Beach dining scene. The menu features fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks served in a casual atmosphere. Upstairs, the oyster bar offers a fantastic view of the harbor.

The most enjoyable way to get to Newport Landing is by sea. You can tie up your Duffy boat right out front, enjoy your meal, and then enjoy a languid post-dinner cruise.

Visit mid-week for extended happy hours. On Wednesdays & Thursdays, Newport Landing serves its bargain-price specials until 8 pm.

Newport Beach Vineyards and Winery

Book a tasting at an award-winning local vintner and you may just get to meet the wine goats.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 645-2200 | Website | Hours: by appointment only

Wine aficionados won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind private wine estate in Upper Newport Bay. Available only by reservation for groups of 8 or more, tastings here are much like your own exclusive private party.

On the first Sunday of each month, the winery hosts a luncheon with the Newport Beach Vineyards mascots, Winnie and Evie the wine goats. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more unique winery tour than these!

Hiking & Outdoors

Crystal Cove State Park

Explore idyllic nature from coast to canyon.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 494-3539 | Website | Hours: 6 am – Sunset | Entrance: Free, day use parking $15 p/vehicle

Crystal Cove State Park is one of the largest remaining open spaces in Orange County. It’s 18 miles of hiking trails crisscrossing the native wilderness. Here, higher paths lead through mountainous backcountry, while low routes wind through woodlands to beaches dotted with tidepools.

Crystal Cove Historic District, an enclave with rustic seaside cottages and a restaurant, remains open until 10 pm. Reservations at the cottages are tough to come by, but it’s a lovely spot for a carefree wander.

And, ok, while it does border the southern edge of the Newport Coast, Crystal Cove State Park is technically in Laguna Beach, another don’t-miss destination just 20 minutes south on Pacific Coast Highway.

West Jetty View Park

Relax on a bench and watch the boats go by in this tiny waterfront park.

View at the West Jetty View Park during sunset — *Sunset, palm trees, beach… what’s not to like?*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 644-3151 | Hours: 6 am – 11 pm | Entrance: Free

West Jetty View Park is located at the south end of the Balboa Peninsula. This park’s namesake is a long jetty at the entrance of Newport Bay. The park’s grassy area is pretty petite, with a handful of benches and picnic tables.

West Jetty View Beach, on the other hand, is pretty big. And the waves in this spot, known as The Wedge, are even bigger still. The swell here can sometimes soar as high as 30 feet!

The Wedge

Catch a peek at surfers catching waves at Southern California’s biggest swell.

The Wedge is a legendary surf spot that boasts some of the biggest – and most dangerous – waves in Orange County.

Negotiations between these big waves and the brave souls who test these waters make for quite a spectacle. Even experienced visitors are strongly discouraged from paddling out here. Mostly by common sense, but also by a fiercely protective local contingent known as the Wedge Crew.

Those angling to catch a wave of their own can find more welcoming spots in nearby Huntington Beach.

Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Enjoy outdoor recreation and view endangered species in a 1,000-acre ecological reserve.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 923-2290 | Website | Hours: 7 am – Sunset daily | Entrance: Free

Much of Orange County is heavily developed, so the few remaining natural spaces are rare treasures. While Upper Newport Bay may not be massive compared to California’s State Parks, it is home to an incredibly diverse array of wildlife. As many as 35,000 birds flock to Upper Newport Bay during winter migration!

Birders will be thrilled at the number of feathered friends thriving here, including several rare and endangered species such as the Brown Pelican and Peregrine Falcon. Lucky visitors may catch sight of an elusive bobcat. You’ll want to keep your distance from them, as well as the near-ubiquitous coyotes. And please, please do not feed the raccoons!

Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center

Learn about the globally significant estuary of Upper Newport Bay in a nature museum with exhibits and interactive displays.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 923-2290 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tues – Sun; Closed Mondays | Entrance: Free

The Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center is also located in Upper Newport Bay. This center honors the area’s renowned biodiversity.

It also happens to be stunningly beautiful, by the way. Make sure to take in the view between visits to the theater and live reptile exhibits. Walks and water tours exploring the area around the center are pleasant, easy treks into the wild.

🌿 Want to Get Involved? Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff for Second Sunday Restoration, a community effort to maintain the Bay’s habitat for local wildlife.

Civic Center Park

Pleasant green space with walking paths and a sculpture exhibition.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 644-3151 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Civic Center Park is near Fashion Island, and this 14-acre park offers something for everyone. Pleasant, shady walking trail? Check. Fascinating sculptures? Check. Pacific Ocean views, fountains, dog park? Check, check, check.

Speaking of dogs, Civic Center Park is home to the only dog park in Newport Beach. The most direct access to the park is a small parking area for the dog park off Avocado Ave.

Environmental Nature Center

Gain insight into the natural world and the city’s natural history from a leader in science and social education.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (949) 645-8489 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm Sat & Sun | Entrance: Free

The Environmental Nature Center is a nature sanctuary tucked between the marina and residential neighborhoods. It’s largely devoted to educational enterprises and pre-planned events.

Walking paths throughout the 5-acre campus showcase 15 California native plant communities, ranging from desert to freshwater marsh to oak woodlands and redwood forest.

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These are some of my favorite things to do in Newport Beach, California. Thanks for reading! Next up, explore my favorite underrated beaches in Orange County.

Vacation, ahoy!!

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