San Diego

Although the area of Newport Beach is known for
the harbor and love of the water, it also contains
a hidden shoppers paradise. With the infamous
Fashion Island and Balboa Island nearby, Newport
does wonders for those who like activities yet
enjoy shopping.

Fashion Island is one of the best areas of Newport
Beach, containing over 200 stores. The Island
has everything you could ever want, from toys to
expensive clothes. If you’ve ever tried Fashion
Island before, you’re probably aware of just how
great it can be. With over 200 stores, it’ll take
hours and hours to explore everything here – and
possibly even days.

If you happen to be looking for an inexpensive, yet
excellent experience, Balboa Island is where you
should be going. The Island is accessible from
Palm Street by ferry at the Balboa Peninsula, or
by car/foot from Jamboree Road at the Pacific Coast
Highway.

With its great location and environment, the
community is home to more than 80 galleries, gift
shops, and fine restaurants. All along the streets
on the island, you can find locals selling great
merchandise, along with vendors selling superb
sweets and hot eats.

When walking on foot on the island, you’ll notice
that there are wonderful views of the extravagent
homes, harbor, and even the bay. Passing the street
signs, you may notice that they are indeed named
after precious stones, which is quite different.

Once you pass Turquoise, Topax, Diamond, and Sapphire,
you’ll reach the popular Marine Avenue, which is
where shoppers will fall in love. With unique and
attractive gift shops and sidewalk cafes, it’s easy
to spend hours here looking at everything you can
purchase.

The heart of the Balboa Island’s shopping and apparel
district, Marine Avenue has many unique boutiques
and galleries as well. If hunger strikes, you can
lose yourself in the tastefully impressive Balboa Bar,
a bar made of vanilla ice cream that is dipped in
chocolate.

With restaurants on the Avenue as well, you can enjoy
everything from a simple meal to some of the best
Italian food in Newport Beach. Offering you plenty of
things to see as well, Balboa Island gives you more
than just shopping – although the shopping here is
something you must experience.

If you enjoy shopping and seeing beautiful views,
Newport Beach is truly the shopping paradise you’ve
been longing for. As a family vacation, Balboa Island
and the surrounding areas can provide everything you
need for fun and entertainment. For shopping lovers
everywhere, Newport Beach provides the type of
shopping you won’t find anywhere else.

On the Newport Coast, standing high above the Pacific
Ocean is one of the best golf courses in the California
area. Boasting a very nice golf course, the finest
services and amenities, and superb dining, Pelican
Hill Golf Course provides one of the best experiences
of golf and after golf.

With 2 golf courses, the course will provide challenges
to beginners and avid golf players alike. While both
are great courses, the toughest decision you’ll make
is deciding which one to play first. Even though you
can go back and play the course you didn’t select later,
choosing the one to start with is almost as fun as
playing.

The North Course
The North Course of the Pelican Golf Course reflects
a classic Scottish style, almost floating around an
elevated plateau. The drastic elevation changes help
to create spectacular views of both the Pacific Ocean
and the Newport Harbor.

Staying true to the ingenious design philosophy, the
landscape here plays a major role in the challenge and
the overall beauty of the North Course. Golfers all
around the world enjoy playing the North Course, as
the design here is better than most golf courses out
there.

The South Course
Set high above the Pacific, the South Course is also
ranked among the top golf courses in the entire Newport
Beach area. The South Course offers breathtaking ocean
views, pine trees, manicured fairways, and a nice
soaring eucalyptus.

On the South Course you’ll also find challenging greens
submerged by strategically placed bunkers. The design
of the course here included rolling terrain, canyon
crossing tee shots, and holes that border the cliffs
of the California coast.

Both courses are very set in their unique designs, using
the terrain and topology to golf players challenges
they simply won’t find elsewhere. While many golf courses
use the field to add to the playing experience, Pelican
Hill uses many different tools. The result is a game
of golf that will leave you wanting more.

If you enjoy playing golf, Pelican Hill Golf Course in
Newport Beach provides the golf you crave. There are
plenty of other things to see and do in Newport Beach,
from kids to grown ups. Whether your on vacation or
a local, Pelican Hill can help you to enjoy playing
golf for the first time. All you need to do is play a
few games on the course – then you’ll discover the
way golf was meant to be played.

If you like to surf or hit the waves, the infamous
“Wedge” in Newport Beach is something you have to
experience at least once in your lifetime. Although
The Wedge isn’t classified as a wave, it’s actually
a 20 foot plus battering ram that was created by
sheer intelligence.

The way it heaves, throws, and bends behaves in ways
other waves can’t begin to comprehend. If you look
at it up close, you’ll notice that The Wedge is a
combination of two waves that join together, resulting
in a massive slingshot that is capable of sending
anyone flying.

The Wedge takes a swell, but only for a few moments,
retracting the swell energy from the jetty then
smashing on the beach. Though it may look like a
“humping effect”, as the locals call it, the feel
and look of it must be seen to be believed.

For many years, The Wedge in Newport Beach has proven
to be the best place in the world for surfing. Over
the years, professional body boarders have headed
here as well, to test their skill and experience
with the one thing that’s very hard to top.

Deadly at all tides, the best time to show up at
The Wedge is in the morning or late afternoon, as
this is when the tide is at it’s best. With sizes
reaching between 6 and 20+ feet, you have to be on
your toes before you even attempt to tame it.

If you plan to go surfing or body boarding here, you
should also bring your camera, beach chair, swim fins,
goggles, and insurance card! It’s always best to be
prepared, which makes the insurance card great to
have – especially when you consider just how powerful
The Wedge truly is.

The best time to visit The Wedge is the summer, as
winter may be a bit cold. As a beginner, The Wedge
may be a bit too difficult. If you have experience,
you may even find it to be a bit psychotic. At any
rate, it’s a challenge you won’t soon forget.

Nearby, you have many places to eat, such as the
Quick Fix and Worth The Wait. There are also several
places to stay as well, along with places to shop and
enjoy yourself.

From surfing to sheer fun watching The Wedge pummel
surfers, Newport Beach offers you everything you need
to have an excellent stay. If you enjoy surfing, you
simply must visit The Wedge at least once and see
if you have what it takes.

Over 800 years old, the gondola is a regarded as a
symbol of romance. Although thinking of a gondola
may bring thoughts of Venice Italy, the gondola
ride found in Newport Beach can be just as romantic
when it comes to the symbol of romance.

Once you sit in the black yet sleek gondola, you’ll
be steered into the fairy-tale setting of the
hidden canals beyond Newport Beach. Most of the
time, the individual steering the gondola will
appear discreet yet mysterious, hearing nothing
and saying nothing.

With this sense, the boat will almost appear to
be moving by magic, gliding along with nothing to
disturb the soft music. Occasionally, you can
hear the splashing of a fish breaking the surface
of the water, which actually adds to the music and
the tempo of the gondola ride.

With the gondola floating so close to the surface
of the water, you’ll feel as if every sense you have
is being tapped. The warmth of the sun, the smell
of the water, and the lapping of the waves will set
your mind off like never before.

As you travel through the canals, you’ll find
yourself wondering if the houses are deserted and
just how romantic the atmosphere and setting make
you feel. Even though you may have the urge to
dangle your fingers in the water, the relaxing feel
of the gandola will make you feel as if you are
too relaxed to move a muscle!

When the sun sets, you’ll pass other gandolas as
they travel through the canals. On a couple ride,
the gandola can help to rekindle the flame or just
take you to a whole new world. Once you return to
the docks, you’ll probably find yourself wishing
that the ride would never end.

If you’ve never experienced a gondola ride, it’s one
thing that you simply must try. As a wedding ride,
honeymoon ride, couple ride, or just a couple of
friends, the gondola ride is something that will
make you feel as never before.

While there are a few providers of gondola rides in
Newport Beach, each one offers you the ride of a
lifetime. The gondola ride brings a touch of romance
to Newport Beach, which is something each and every
couple should have the pleasure of experiencing.

If you plan on visiting Newport Beach or if you
already live in the area, a gondola ride is something
you shouldn’t hesitate to try. It brings a whole new
sense to the word romance and can easily make you
forget everything that has troubled you in life – if
even for a brief moment.

The Little Inn by the bay in Newport Beach provides
the best hotel experience in the area. They offer
unbeatable prices, still staying true to maintaining
quality service. Offering many comfortable rooms
and packages, they do more than enough to ensure you
have a great stay in Newport Beach and save as much
money as you possibly can.

In the morning, the inn allows you to customize your
own continental breakfast from a variety of possibilities,
such as muffins, cereals, and juices – delivered to
your hotel room along with the morning paper!

Along with the morning paper and a continental
breakfast, the Little Inn by the bay also provides
beach cruisers. There’s no sense in walking when you
can use the bikes they provide to explore the miles
and miles of beaches and boardwalk that Newport
Beach and peninsula has to offer.

Located very close to many restaurants and shops, the
Little Inn makes it easier than ever. You can step
out of the Inn and enjoy many great tasting restaurants
and California shops. Being relatively close to the
beach, you can go out at night and enjoy romantic
walks on the beach with the one you love.

The nearby restaurants to the Little Inn by the bay
include Blue Water Grill, Billy’s at the beach,
Rusty Pelican, Charthouse, and many more. Offering
everything from seafood to Japanese food, the Little
Inn ensures that there is food in the area for many
different tastes.

Along with being a great location, the Little Inn also
offers you spacious rooms with cable television, nice
views, and even beach rentals. During the day you can
see everything that Newport Beach has to offer then
at night you can enjoy winding down and relaxing in
one of the many excellent rooms.

When the time comes to take off to Newport Beach, you
should make sure you book your room in advance. The
Little Inn by the bay is one of the best hotels in
Newport Beach, making it very crowded during the
summer months. The last thing you want to do is wait
until the last minute then arrive in Newport Beach and
find that there are no rooms left!

Booking in advance can save you a lot of headache, and
provide you with a great place to stay once you arrive
in the area. Once you have stayed a few nights at the
Little Inn by the bay you’ll know what true Newport
hospitality is all about. Then, when you return to
Newport Beach – you’ll want to ensure that the Little
Inn is where you stay.