From Whale-Watching to Championship Golf, These Experiences Are Perfect for Wintertime!
Love the idea of cabin life but can’t take the cold? Yeah, we get it. We want the seasonal fun without the freeze too. Skip the slopes and stay at sea level this winter with a few of our favorite ways to soak in Newport Beach’s sunny disposition. The snow is cool and all—but have you ever been to the beach in February? Same amount of fun with half the amount of clothes. We created this list of our top seven activities west of the winter wonderlands—no long johns required!
It’s a Par-Tee
The Hoag Classic is an event golf lovers and John Daly drinkers alike look forward to every year. Attendees can prance throughout Newport Beach Country Club’s pristine grounds to enjoy a day of dining, drinking and drives. The 2023 Hoag Classic features the 50-and-up golfers from the PGA Tour Champions circuit and takes place March 15-19. In addition to seeing championship golf, the event will feature an array of booths and banter for fun, fairways and fundraising. A little birdie told us it’s the perfect way to kick off spring. This is a great event to attend with friends and get a little boozy in the bunkers or even a fun outing with the family for a chance to rub elbows with some of golf’s greatest legends like Ernie Els, Fred Couples and Mark O’Meara.
A Whale of a Time
Newport Beach is famous for having some of the best concentrations of whale populations in the world. During the winter months, sea-life enthusiasts can board seasoned charters and set out to spot some of these majestic creatures, particularly gray whales, in the wild. This is an excellent solo activity or a great chance to make core memories with your family. Check out Davey’s Locker or Newport Landing, both of which offer one-of-a-kind whale excursions to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Both charters are offering great deals right now too! From March through April, kids can whale-watch for free at Newport Landing, and anyone rides for only $20 at Davey’s Locker. The charters generally last from 2-2.5 hours and are an awesome way to see marine life up close!
Plants, Plants Revolution
Sherman Library and Gardens is the hidden gem of Corona del Mar. This lush garden is filled with little nooks and crannies for people of all ages to explore. Plus, it’s within walking distance to some of our favorite foodie hotspots like Avila’s El Ranchito, Sejuiced and Bamboo Bistro. They have a free event on Fridays at 10 a.m. called Little Seedlings Story Time where kids are invited to explore nature through books. With five gardens and a tropical conservatory, Sherman Library and Gardens is a great place to spend an afternoon in nature. Be sure to scope out their calendar of events online to book a tour or see what plants they are highlighting that week!
Date Night Done Right
JOEY Restaurants has finally taken its talents south to Orange County with the opening of a Fashion Island location. Remember when we wrote about the incredible DTLA location in our stunning summer restaurants article? Well this JOEY has all the same vibes in proximity to the coast. A large outdoor fire pit area gives customers the ability to cozy up outside while enjoying one of the restaurant’s ultra-delicious craft cocktails. And remember, it’s happy hour every day at JOEY from 3-6 p.m. Be sure to order the sushi cone—a JOEY original dish that you can score for only $5! This is the perfect spot for date night, so grab your sweetie and get to eating.
There’s No Place Like Ohm
The seafaring vessels at Vision Electric Boats in Lido Marina Village are as eye-catching as they are photo-friendly. These open-air boats, which are painted in bright hues, are the best way to scope out the bay—especially after grabbing a beverage and a bite to-go from one of Lido’s waterfront restaurants. Lido Bottle Works offers plenty of shareable items, and Malibu Farm has mastered the to-go cocktail. Boat rentals range from $150 for two hours during the week to $200 for two hours on the weekends and can hold up to 10 people depending on the model. Be sure to inquire about joining their boat club, which is an exclusive option that gives members the ability to cruise whenever they please for a low monthly fixed price! Who needs sledding, skiing or snowboarding when you can set sail and soak up the sun?
Claw & Order
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The Crab Cooker is a local landmark in Newport Beach proudly serving up fan favorites since 1951. The recently renovated peninsula location boasts all of the same charm of the original location, just with upgraded features and decor. Diners can still expect the same great food they’ve served for 70 years, including their clam chowder, smoked salmon plate and obviously anything having to do with crab. Specializing in seafood, they smoke, broil, fry, barbecue and poach to serve as is, on a sandwich or in a soup. Fish is their bread and butter—but they also serve that too! This casual cookery is great for the whole family, and there is plenty to look at to keep those kiddos occupied.
The Sweat Life
Perspire Sauna Studio is a staple in town for the wellness wizards. The benefits of this 40-minute infrared sweat session are endless as it detoxes the body, relaxes the mind, burns calories, eases pain, enhances immunity, improves sleep and clears skin. Call us crazy, but these are all things we are actively after, and to get them all in one place? Well, sign us up! With plenty of streaming options to keep you entertained and a cold eucalyptus towel to cool you down, this is the place to keep calm and carry on. We’ll skip the snow for a solid sweat any day of the week!
Moke Folk
Mokes are the cutest thing to hit the road since the Jolly made its debut. These retro golf carts are street legal and the ideal way to navigate the town of Newport Beach. Perfect for a sunny day (which luckily we get a lot of), these charming modes of transportation make cruising the coast a little cuter. Rent your moke from Newport Beach Moke, and be sure to take your new four-wheeled friend across the bay on the Balboa Island Ferry to experience the island’s charming Marine Avenue. Grab a chocolate-covered banana or Balboa bar from Dad’s and be thankful you’re soaking in the sunshine, instead of shivering in the snow.
