Newport Beach is a great vacation destination, in part because of its prime location. When you stay here, you’re just a short drive from some of the best things to do in Los Angeles, like Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland.
But you don’t need to leave Newport Beach at all to have an amazing Southern Californian vacation. From lazy days at the beach to treats you can’t get anywhere else, there’s a lot to love about a Newport Beach getaway!
Wondering what to do in Newport Beach during your trip? We’ve compiled a list of the best Newport Beach activities and attractions, from scenic hikes to wine-tasting experiences. Stick to this list, and you’re bound to have a great time on your California vacation.
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The 15 Best Things to Do in Newport Beach, CA
1. Play around the Balboa Fun Zone
For over 80 years, the Balboa Fun Zone has been one of the best Newport Beach attractions. This family-friendly seaside amusement park is accessible via the Balboa Island Ferry or by car, though the ferry is the more fun option!
Once you arrive, you can enjoy riding the historic Ferris wheel and other fun rides, playing around the arcade, and even getting out on the water with watercraft rentals.
2. Go Whale Watching
Newport Beach is one of the best places to go whale watching in the US, and taking a whale-watching tour is one of the best Newport Beach activities. What you see on your tour depends on the time of your trip. From December through April, you’ll catch the gray whale season, while from May through November, the warmer waters draw in the blue whales.
3. Grab Yourself a Frozen Banana
Frozen bananas from Newport Beach are so iconic that they’ve been forever immortalized in the show “Arrested Development.” Getting one of these delicious treats is one of the most unique and delicious things to do in Newport Beach!
You can get one of these chocolate-coated delights in several locations, including Sugar ‘n Spice on Balboa Island, which claims to be where to get the original frozen banana. Of course, the same claim is made by Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop, also on Balboa Island, so you’ll have to get one from each stand to find out who reigns supreme.
4. Treat Yourself to a Balboa Bar
Another dessert that got its start in Newport Beach is the Balboa Bar, which is vanilla ice cream on a stick dipped in chocolate and rolled in toppings. And like the Great Frozen Banana Feud, both Sugar ‘n Spice and Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop claim to have made the first Balboa Bar.
Though we’ll likely never know who actually made the treat first, taste-testing the Balboa Bars at each location to find the best one is another one of the most delicious Newport Beach activities!
5. Spend a Day at the Beach
With a name like Newport Beach, you had to imagine that actually going to the beach would be one of the top things to do in Newport Beach. The area in and around Newport Beach is rife with sandy shores, with a little something for everyone. From the beautiful rock formations of Corona Del Mar State Beach to the incredible waves at The Wedge, you can always guarantee a perfect day at the beach at Newport Beach!
6. Take a Kayaking Tour
The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, better known as the Back Bay, is the largest remaining estuary in Southern California and is home to many endangered species. Naturally, seeing these stunning creatures requires the utmost care.
Luckily, the Newport Bay Conservancy, in partnership with the Newport Aquatic Center, offers two-hour guided kayak tours with a naturalist who will tell you all about the history of the bay and the native flora and fauna you’re seeing. Seeing the Back Bay belongs on your Newport Beach bucket list, and this tour is the best way to do it.
7. Visit the Orange County Museum of Art
If you’re an art lover, make the short trip over to Costa Mesa to find the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), which is one of the best things to do in Newport Beach for art enthusiasts. The OCMA features a permanent collection of over 4,500 works of art, with a focus on 20th- and 21st-century artists with connections to California.
The museum also offers a number of family-friendly programs throughout the year, including workshops for kids of all ages, tours made for families with babies, and yoga classes.
8. Explore the Sherman Library & Gardens
Located in Corona Del Mar, the Sherman Library & Gardens is one of the best sights in Newport Beach. This historic facility is a peaceful cultural center where you can stroll through the stunning gardens, see historical artifacts and exhibits, dine at a garden-to-table restaurant, marvel at a massive art collection, see live performances, go to family-friendly events, and so much more.
9. Take a Surfing Lesson
Newport Beach is a surfing capital, which is why getting on a surfboard for the first time is one of the coolest things to do in Newport Beach. While you should hold off on riding at The Wedge until you’re much more experienced, you can still enjoy other surf spots throughout the city with a surfing lesson, like those taught by Learn to Surf or Endless Sun Surf School.
10. Hop on the Ferry to Catalina Island
Taking a day trip to Catalina Island is one of the best things to do in Newport Beach, and it’s easy to get there with the help of the Catalina Flyer ferry. Do some prime Newport Beach sightseeing from the ferry, then enjoy a day of exploring one of California’s most beautiful Channel Islands.
Go snorkeling in scenic locations, take to the sky on an aerial adventure course, visit a working ranch, or just enjoy a day at the beach.
11. Go Hiking at Crystal Cove State Park
With more than three miles of pristine beach, you can easily add Crystal Cove State Park to your list of places to go on a beach day. But there’s so much more to this park than its beaches.
Hiking this state park allows you to take in some of the best sights around Newport Beach, with trails that give you views of the Pacific Ocean, unique geological formations, a seasonal creek, historic seaside cottages, and tons of native flora and fauna. For more fun looking at the native critters of the land, you can also go tide-pooling.
12. Search for Sales at Fashion Island
Want to do a little retail therapy? Head over to Fashion Island for one of the must-do things in Newport Beach, especially if the weather isn’t right for a beach day.
This open-air shopping center boasts over 100 stores, from boutiques to luxury department stores. Add in both fine and casual dining, numerous events throughout the year, and a massive movie theater, and you’ve got the makings of a great day in Newport Beach.
13. Take Your Pup to Civic Center Park
Traveling with your pooch? You’ll want to make sure you bring them to Civic Center Park. This 14-acre park features a long walking trail that winds through natural wetlands and the park’s sculpture exhibition.
But the main reason you’ll want to bring your dog here is because it’s home to Newport Beach’s only dog park featuring two separate sections for big and small dogs, ample shade, and other dog-friendly amenities. If you’re looking for a scenic spot to let your dog have some play time, this park is the place to be.
14. Meet the Wine Goats at Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery
Known for their award-winning Meritage and being home to the only underground Wine Cave in Orange Country, visiting the Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery is one of the coolest things to do in Newport Beach. Take in amazing views as you sip on blends made from the very grapes grown on-site.
This location does not have a public tasting room, but you can make an appointment to come by. But if you happen to be around the first Sunday of the month, booking the Luncheon with the Wine Goats is another one for your Newport Beach bucket list. Get a tour led by Winnie and Evie, the wine goats, plus drink tickets, a complimentary lunch, and snacks to feed your tour guides!
15. Relax with a Spa Day
If you’re looking for a day where you can just sit back and relax, consider enjoying one of Newport Beach’s many spas.
Newport Beach is home to several famed spas, including The Spa at Pelican Hill, a Forbes Five-Star spa that features 23,000 square feet of tranquility, herbal steam rooms, saltwater soaking tubs, and just about any kind of treatment you could want.
Or head to Spa Gregorie’s, an award-winning day spa with a relaxed setting and tons of treatment options.
There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Newport Beach, CA. What’s your favorite Newport Beach activity? Let us know in the comments!
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