Newport Beach Travel Guide

Newport Beach: Our Guide to the best of our hometown. 

 

Restaurants

A Restaurant:  Cozy, dark old-school bar and restaurant known for their steaks. Really cool bartender, say hi to Derek.
(Dinner only)
A  Crystal Cove:  Sister restaurant to above located in Crystal Cove Shopping Center.  Ambience is amazing!
(Brunch, lunch and dinner)
Gulfstream: Great food,  cool outside patio with fire-pits and a happening happy hour bar scene.  Be sure to order the grilled artichoke if it’s in season.  We love the chopped salad with chicken.  And the iced tea is always good.
(Lunch and Dinner)
Bandera: Wonderful spot for lively date night or family dinner.  Must try the cornbread and Macho salad here.
(Dinner only)
Farmhouse At Roger’s Gardens:  Feels like you’re in Napa or Tuscany… beautiful restaurant in a stunning nursery, Roger’s Gardens.  We love the craft cocktails here.
(Lunch and Dinner)
Cannery:  Newport institution.  Best happy hour in town.  Right on the water with a large bar upstairs.  We recommend the Cannery roll, the  911 roll and the espresso martini.  We love the all the servers.  Say hi to Ryan, Cole and Kevin.
(Brunch, Lunch and Dinner)
Blue Water Grill:  Seafood restaurant on the water across from The Cannery. Best sourdough bread in town.
(Lunch and Dinner)
Buddha’s:  Amazing sushi next door to Blue Water Grill.
Quiet Woman: In Corona del Mar, across from Bandera.  Very popular and crowded bar scene with a band on the weekends.
(Dinner only.  Lunch on weekends)
CdM Restaurant: Cool vibe, great food and check out the speakeasy downstairs.
(Dinner only)
Trenta: Amazing and fresh pizza and pasta. 
(Dinner only. Lunch on weekends)
Arc:  Great priced wine and share plates.  Small, mostly seating outside on a charming patio.
(Lunch and Dinner)
Pie Society: Cozy speakeasy behind Pitfire pizza. Fun spot for cocktails and sharing a pizza or two. 
(Dinner only)
Javier’s:  Fancy, Mexican restaurant with ocean views in some areas in Crystal Cove shopping center.
(Lunch and Dinner)
Billy’s : Must have a Mai Tai, they're famous for them.
Louie’s : Charming Italian steakhouse on the harbor right next door to Billy's.  Amazing sunset views here and great happy hour.  Get the cacio e pepe and say Hi to Shane the greatest bartender.
(Brunch and Dinner)
Zinque: Cute, casual spot in Lido Village. 
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Coffee 
Alta:  People come from miles away and will wait in line for their chai latte.  Insider tip: most people like the mixed vanilla and spice.
Vacancy: Great Australian spot right by the beach.
Daydream: Hybrid between a surf shop and specialty coffee shop. 
Kit Coffee: Not only is their coffee and matcha worth the wait on the weekend, they also have one of the best breakfast burritos in town.
Breakfast
Sidecar Donuts: Only donut worth eating in our opinion. 
Haute Cakes:  Everything is good here!  Come for breakfast or lunch.
Crocker’s:  We stop here for breakfast and great lattes when we walk around the island. (Balboa Island) 
Wilma's:  Another cute breakfast and lunch spot on Balboa Island.
 
Lunch
C’est Si Bon Bakery : One of the best sandwich shops in town. Also must try the butter croissant and their chocolate chip cookie. 
Bear Flag Fish Co.: Known for the best poke and fish tacos, eat there or perfect for take away.  Be sure to get an extra side of Tommy sauce.
The Beachcomber: Casual, bungalow style restaurant on the beach in Crystal Cove.  Nice to put your name in and take a walk on the beach while waiting for your table.
Malibu Farm: Beautiful setting in Lido Marina Village.  Try the matcha, cold brew, the quesadilla and cauliflower pizza.  Everything is good here.
 
Things to do:

Visit:

Balboa Island

Balboa Island is a small island in Newport Beach that you can reach by car or by the Balboa Island Ferry.   It is home of the famous ice cream treat known as the Balboa Bar.   Marine Avenue  is the main street, where you can find the Balboa Bar at Dad’s Donuts and at Sugar and Spice. Marine Ave. has a selection of charming stores and restaurants.  There is a boardwalk around the island for a nice walk -about 45 minutes all the way around.

Balboa Peninsula
Spend the day on the beach, rent bicycles, watch the surfers or walk the boardwalk on the peninsula.  Go to the end of the peninsula, known as the wedge to see surfers and body boarders or to Blackie’s Beach, on 21st and oceanfront, where there is a choice of small beach bars and restaurants.
Balboa Fun Zone
You can ride a ferris wheel, rent a boat and find some souvenirs here.
Upscale shops and restaurants located right on the water.  Shop Jenni Kayne, Cynthia Rowley, Love Shack Fancy and Amber Interiors to name a few.  Grab lunch at Malibu Farm, Zinque or Nobu.
  A large outdoor shopping center that has large department stores, some amazing boutiques and great restaurants.  Our go-to for lunch is the French Dip at R&D.
Beautiful nursery that really stuns when they go all out at Christmas time. 
Crystal Cove State Beach
Located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.  Beautiful beach cove for walking or spending the day.  Has a wonderful restaurant, The Beachcomber, right on the beach.
There is also federally listed Historic District that you can explore in the park that is open until 10pm, which is an enclave of 46 coastal cottages
originally built as a seaside colony in the 1930’s & 40’s located nestled around the entrance of Los Trancos Creek.
Duffy rentals
Nothing more Newport than cruising the harbor in a electric Duffy boat.
Cycling the boardwalk
Surfing
Paddleboarding
 
Where to stay
Vea - across the street from Fashion Island