From Harbor Sunsets to Hidden Coves, These are the Quintessential Newport Beach Experiences Worth Building Your Whole Summer Around

Sun, salt air and zero excuses: here’s everything worth doing in Newport Beach this summer. Newport Beach doesn’t need a PR campaign. The harbor glitters, the waves roll in at The Wedge, the fish tacos pair perfectly with that cold beer and somehow every summer feels like the best one yet. Whether you grew up here or you’re making your first pilgrimage down PCH, this is the list. Hit them all, and you’ve officially had a Newport Beach summer.

 

Surf’s Up

Newport’s most famous wave isn’t for the faint of heart, but you don’t have to surf it to love it. Show up at The Wedge, a free public beach and legendary bodysurfing break on the eastern tip of the Balboa Peninsula, and plant yourself in the sand to watch some of the most dramatic, shore-pounding waves on the West Coast do their thing. One of Newport Beach’s most iconic landmarks, it’s free, no reservation required and peak season runs all summer long. Bring a breakfast burrito and stay a while.

The Wedge
End of Balboa Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA 92661
Sunrise – Sunset

 

A Hidden Gem Beach

Little Corona del Mar Beach is a free public beach and Newport’s best-kept secret. Sitting just south of the village, this small, tucked-away cove boasts clear water, soft sand and pools crawling with sea life at low tide. A beloved local landmark, it’s the kind of beach that makes you feel like you found something, even though locals have known about it forever. Go at low tide, bring the kids (or your own inner kid) and plan to stay longer than you meant to.

Little Corona del Mar Beach
3100 Ocean Blvd.
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Sunrise – Sunset

 

On the Water Fun

No license, no waves, no stress. Rent an electric boat with Electric Boat Rental at Lido Marina Village and spend the afternoon drifting through Newport Harbor at a very leisurely pace, taking in the waterfront homes, the sailboats and the general perfection of a summer afternoon on the water. It’s one of those Newport experiences that sounds simple and turns out to be one of the best things you do all weekend.

Electric Boat Rental
3424 Via Oporto, Ste. 101
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.612.8248
Summer: Su-Sa, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Winter: Su-Sa, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

 

Floating in the Harbor

One of the best paddle shops in town, Pirate Coast Paddle sets up on Newport’s Tiki Beach and sends you out onto the harbor in kayaks or on paddleboards, with a lifeguarded, kid-friendly paddling area that makes it genuinely family-friendly all summer long. Daytime sessions are great, but the real move is the Glow Tour, a nighttime paddle on illuminated boards that regular guests describe as genuinely unforgettable. Book it before it sells out.

Pirate Coast Paddle
1131 Back Bay Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.278.0011
June – October: Su-Sa, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; January – May and November: Sa-Su, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Closed December

 

A Carnival by the Sea

Some Newport traditions don’t need updating. With a Ferris wheel, arcade games and the smell of sunscreen and popcorn drifting off the harbor, the Balboa Fun Zone has been delivering this exact kind of summer joy since 1936 and shows no signs of slowing down. Ride the ferry over to Balboa Island afterward for a frozen banana, and you’ve officially completed a classic Newport afternoon.

Balboa Fun Zone
600 E. Bay Ave.
Newport Beach, CA 92661
949.662.0194
March-September: Su-Sa, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (hours vary by day; confirm directly before visiting)  

 

A Snack by the Bay

Newport Beach has plenty of waterfront dining, but Moe B’s Munchies earns its spot by doing everything right in one place: classic American beach food, cold drinks, a full bar and a view of the Back Bay from inside Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. The parking is free, the vibe is zero-pressure and the fact that you can grab a burger between water park runs and paddleboard rentals makes it one of the most genuinely convenient summer lunch spots in the city.

Moe B’s Munchies
1131 Back Bay Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.729.3863
W-Th, Noon – 5 p.m.; F, Noon – 7 p.m.; Sa, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Su, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

 

Gotta Love a Sub

There is no shortage of places to eat in Newport, but sometimes what you want is a proper deli sandwich that is stacked, no-nonsense and made by people who take sandwiches seriously. Gallo’s Italian Deli has been that place for Newport locals for years. Go for lunch, bring cash or a card and don’t overthink your order. The regulars know what’s good here and can recommend something for you to try.

Gallo’s Italian Deli
3900 E. Coast Highway
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
949.287.6030
Su-Sa, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

The Best Fish Tacos in Town

If there is one restaurant Newport Beach locals would be genuinely upset to lose, it’s Bear Flag Fish Co. Offering fresh-caught fish tacos, poke bowls and seafood done the California way, the cuisine is bright, clean and completely addictive. Multiple Newport locations, including Lido Marina Village, mean you’re never far from the ahi taco that will ruin all other fish tacos for you. Order two. You’ll understand immediately.

Bear Flag Fish Co.
3421 Via Lido
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.673.3474

7962 Pacific Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92657
949.715.8899
Su-Sa, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. both locations

 

Dining on the Sand

There are nicer restaurants in Newport Beach, but none with a better setting. The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove sits right on the sand at Crystal Cove, one of Southern California’s last preserved beach cottage communities, and dinner on that patio at sunset is the kind of meal that earns its own memory. The food is excellent, the view is unreal and the whole experience is worth planning your trip around. Make a reservation well ahead of time, as everyone knows about this one.

The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
15 Crystal Cove
Newport Coast, CA 92657
949.376.6900
Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

 

An Elevated Mexican Favorite

With upscale Mexican food, tableside guacamole, strong margaritas and an ocean-view patio right on Pacific Coast Highway at Crystal Cove Promenade, Javier’s hits the sweet spot between a serious dinner out and a place that still feels like summer vacation. Come hungry, order the guac first and settle in for the kind of meal that makes Newport Beach feel like a very good decision.

Javier’s
7832 E. Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92657
949.494.1239
Su-Th, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; F-Sa, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.

 

A Local Icon

Newport Beach locals don’t talk about A Restaurant loudly, which is exactly why you should know about it. This Pacific Coast Highway mainstay quietly delivers some of the best New American cooking in Orange County, presenting consistently excellent food in a cozy, unpretentious room that somehow never feels like it’s trying too hard. Make a reservation, dress however you want and enjoy one of the most reliable dinners in town at an institution that is 100 years old.

A Restaurant
3334 W. Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.650.6505
Su-Th, 5-10 p.m.; F-Sa, 5-11 p.m.

 

Upscale Dining at Fashion Island

JOEY Newport Beach has settled into Fashion Island with the confidence of a restaurant that already knows it belongs. The menu covers everything from elevated bar bites to proper sit-down dinners, and the crowd that’s made it a regular stop says everything you need to know. It’s the kind of restaurant that reminds you Newport Beach’s dining scene keeps getting better. Go for dinner, enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne by the fire and stay as long as you like.

JOEY Newport Beach
453 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.826.5699
Su-Th, 11 a.m. – Midnight; F-Sa, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.

 

Luxe Meals with a View

Newport’s waterside local favorite is making noise, and for good reason. Shorebird is the kind of neighborhood restaurant that earns serious regulars fast through thoughtful food, good drinks and a vibe that feels genuinely elevated without trying to be a postcard. Sip refreshing drinks with views of the harbor while dining on classic American dishes, shareable plates and delicious desserts.

Shorebird
2220 Newport Blvd, Ste. 101
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.787.2034
Su, 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; M-Th, 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; F, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sa, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

 

Delectable Donuts

Classic, unpretentious and exactly what you want after a morning at the beach, Dad’s Donut Shop & Bakery has been doing doughnuts the right way in Newport Beach for decades. Nothing fancy, nothing fussy, just the kind of old-school bakery that makes you feel like the neighborhood still has soul. Go early, as the good ones go fast.

Dad’s Donut Shop & Bakery
318 Marine Ave.
Newport Beach, CA 92662
949.673.8686
Daily, 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

 

The Famous Shake Shack

A walk-up window, a view of the Pacific and thick old-fashioned milkshakes that taste like the 1950s in the best possible way make The Crystal Cove Shake Shack a must-stop. It’s seasonal, cash-friendly and one of those Newport experiences you can’t replicate anywhere else. Order a date shake, which the shop is known for, if you’re feeling adventurous and stay until the sun goes down, admiring views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

Crystal Cove Shake Shack
7703 E. Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92657
949.464.0100
Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

 

Unparalleled Boating Adventures

Newport Beach sits next to a unique underwater canyon that attracts an extraordinary amount of marine life, and Newport Coastal Adventure puts you right in the middle of it. Their small, high-speed boats go much faster than traditional whale watching vessels, which means more ocean covered and better chances of close encounters with dolphins, blue whales, humpbacks and whatever else is passing through our waters. Pods of hundreds of dolphins are common. Whales show up year-round. This is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world, and it’s right here in our backyard.

Newport Coastal Adventure
309 Palm St., Ste. A
Newport Beach, CA 92661
949.922.8784
Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

 

Magical Whale Watching Cruises

If a classic, larger-vessel whale watching experience is more your speed, Newport Landing and Davey’s Locker have been running these cruises out of Newport Harbor for decades. It’s a quintessential Newport summer activity with these sister companies. Hop aboard, head out past the breakwater and see what the Pacific has to offer. It’s a great option for groups, families or anyone who wants a more relaxed pace on the water.

Newport Landing & Davey’s Locker
309 Palm St., Ste. A
Newport Beach, CA 92661
949.675.0551

400 Main St.
Newport Beach, CA 92661
949.673.1434

Newport Landing: Su-Sa, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Davey’s Locker: Su-Sa, 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.

 

Freshness at the Market

One of Orange County’s best farmers markets, right in the heart of CdM, Corona del Mar Farmers Market brings fresh produce, local flowers, artisan food vendors and the kind of unhurried weekend morning energy that makes you remember why you love living (or visiting) here. Time your Newport trip around a market day, and you’ll be glad you did, as you’ll have goodies to enjoy even after you’ve returned home.

Corona del Mar Farmers Market
3201 E. Pacific Coast Highway
Corona del Mar, CA 92657
949.361.0735
Sa, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 

The Secret Gardens

Sixty years old this summer and better than ever, Sherman Library & Gardens is a tucked-away botanical garden in Corona del Mar running a full calendar of events from Yappy Hours, evening talks and plant shows to a current exhibit featuring enormous dog sculptures from artist Elizabeth Laul Healy that are genuinely worth seeing. It’s peaceful, a little unexpected and one of those Newport-adjacent gems that feels like a secret even though it’s been here longer than most of us. Tickets are affordable, the garden is beautiful and it’s the perfect slow-morning detour. Note: a portion of the grounds is currently undergoing renovation, so confirm current access before visiting.

Sherman Library & Gardens
2647 E. Coast Highway
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
949.673.2261
Su-Sa, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 

A Village by the Sea

Newport’s most charming waterfront destination pulls off the rare trick of feeling both polished and relaxed at the same time. Boutique shops, excellent restaurants, electric boat rentals and a harbor backdrop that photographs itself make Lido Marina Village the kind of place where a quick stop turns into a full afternoon without any regrets. Don’t leave without stopping at Circle Hook for sustainably caught local seafood right on the water. Go on a weekend and simply wander.

Lido Marina Village
434 Via Lido
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.438.3983
Su-Sa, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (restaurant hours may be extended)

 

From the Peninsula to the Island

Three cars, a handful of passengers and a two-minute crossing that’s been connecting the peninsula to Balboa Island since 1919: enter the Balboa Island Ferry. It’s the smallest ferry ride you’ll ever take and somehow one of the most charming. Cross over, get a frozen banana, walk the island’s streets lined with beach cottages and come back feeling like you’ve done something properly Newport. It costs almost nothing and delivers every time.

Balboa Island Ferry
410 South Bay Front
Balboa Island, CA 92662
949.673.1070
Su-Sa, 6:30 a.m. – Midnight

 

Luxury Beach Cottages

Staying at Crystal Cove is about as close as you can get to time travel in Southern California. These historic 1930s beach cottages, preserved within Crystal Cove State Park, sit right on the sand between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, and booking one means falling asleep to the sound of actual waves. Reservations open months in advance and go fast as the prices are incredibly affordable compared to most Newport stays. If you snag one, cancel everything else and just be here.

Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
#5 Crystal Cove
Newport Coast, CA 92657
949.376.6200
Su-Sa, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

 

A Newport Institution

John Wayne’s old stomping grounds, Newport’s ultimate bar and the kind of place that earns a reputation without needing to advertise it, Class of ’47 is a Newport Beach institution. It’s the right spot for a cold drink after a long beach day, and the kind of bar you end up staying at much longer than planned. Make it your last stop of the night. It earns it.

Class of ’47
209 Palm St.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.675.5774
M-F, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.; Sa-Su, 7 a.m. – 2 a.m.

 

Stoke for the Moke

Skip the parking search and rent a Moke instead. Newport Beach Moke operates along Newport Blvd and rents open-air electric Moke cars: small, stylish and ridiculously fun to drive along the coast. This kind of transportation turns getting from point A to point B into its own activity. It’s perfect for hopping between the harbor, the beach and the village without the summer parking headache.

Newport Beach Moke
2700 Newport Blvd., Ste. 164
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.989.6653
Su-W, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Th, 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; F, 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Sa, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

 

Newport’s Lighthouse of Hospitality

A boutique hotel that actually feels like Newport Beach, Lido House is nautical without being kitschy and waterfront without being generic. It’s a tranquil place where you check in and immediately feel like you’re on a proper vacation, even if you live 20 minutes away. Just a few blocks from the sand and with a pool area that is to die for, guests can enjoy elevated dining, rooftop views and memorable moments. Book a weekend here and use it as your base for working through this list.

Lido House
3300 Newport Blvd.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.524.8500

 

An Escape on the Coast

If you want the full Newport Beach summer resort experience, VEA Newport Beach delivers. Live concerts, summer pool programming, a spa and a waterfront setting that earns its place among the best hotels in Orange County. They’re leaning hard into summer 2026 programming, so check their calendar before you book and plan your stay around a concert or poolside event.

VEA Newport Beach
900 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.640.4000

 

Back Bay Resort

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort has enjoyed 60-plus years of family-friendly fun on the Back Bay, and this summer, they’ve added six brand-new beachfront cottages to sweeten the deal. The inflatable water park is a warm-weather staple for kids; the calm waters are perfect for little ones, and the on-site parking means you can actually relax once you get here, a small miracle in Newport Beach during the summer. So, plan a full day and stay a while.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
1131 Back Bay Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.729.3863
Su-Sa, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.