Things to do around Newport Beach

NEWPORT HARBOR NAUTICAL MUSEUM

Learn all about the history of Newport Harbor at this colorful, educational museum. It is located on the The Pride of Newport, an historical boat docked in the harbor. You will be treated to ship models, old photos, and historical navigational tools. This is a great place to spend an hour or so while exploring Newport Beachăit will get you out of the sun for a while and give you some historical background. Free admission.

NEWPORT PIER

Newport Pier is the perfect place for a stroll and dinner at one of the restaurants, like Ruby's at the end of the pier. It is especially charming at sunset when the fog often rolls in and the neon lights from the restaurants light up, giving it an other-worldly glow. Good fishing without a license.

FUN ZONE BOAT TOURS

Take a boat tour of Newport Harbor and make your trip to Orange County complete. You can take a variety of tours inside the harbor or venture out into the ocean where you'll be shown playful sea lions and depending upon the season, whales (January through March). Movie stars present and past have summer homes to see as well.

BALBOA FUN ZONE

This place recalls the days of old when a Saturday night date meant a trip to the local amusement park, complete with a ride on the ferris wheel and a few games of skill where a boy could win a teddy bear for his sweetheart. It opened in 1936 and has remained a Newport Beach institution to this day. It is not that big, so don't count on a full day of activity, but it is a nice place to spend a couple of hours. Nights are especially festive here.

VALLEJO GALLERY MARITIME

Maritime and art enthusiasts alike shouldn't miss this gallery, devoted solely to artistic representations of the ocean and seafaring vessels. Old ship enthusiasts will be particularly thrilled to find that the gallery's specific focus is on works portraying American and British vessels dating back four centuries. There are certainly some major names here, including Eugene Boudin, William Bradford and Gustave Courbet. The emphasis, however, is on quality depictions of maritime history, which can be celebrated equally for both their creative and historical value.

TASTE OF NEWPORT

Yet another good reason to cruise down Highway to the Newport Beach area, this celebration of food takes place annually at Fashion Island. Nearly 40 of Orange County's best restaurants will be present to offer cuisine to tens of thousands of eager mouths. Also on hand will be plenty of live entertainment included in the ticket price.

NEWPORT BEACH CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

Join nearly one million viewers as you watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 96th Annual Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach. The parade will take place in late December beginning at 6:30p each evening. The tradition was started almost a century ago and has become one of the region's signature holiday celebrations.

FASHION ISLAND

For outdoor shopping, it doesn't get any better than this. Located just inland from the Pacific Coast Highway, ocean breezes keep it cool here all year and you can catch a movie across the street in the rare event of rainfall. The stores are primarily upscale and haute couture, with plenty of fine dining around.

NEWPORT BEACH FARMER'S MARKET

Like most farmer's markets, you can expect to find the very best produce, seafood, meats, cheeses and other items at this Newport Beach market. There are many gourmet food shops as well as a bakery, wine shop, specialty shops and more. Serious chefs will find all their cooking needs, and the less serious can strong along, nibbling on delicious snacks from baked potatoes to ice-cream cones as the people watch.