Imagine waking to soft morning sun before a stroll on the beach, then ending the day with a long, unhurried dinner on a candlelit waterfront terrace as yacht lights shimmer across the marina.
Newport Beach unveils quiet luxury like this, where designer boutiques and waterfront promenades give way to yacht-lined harbor views bathed in golden California light.
Swap out the fast-paced Gulf glitz for cool Pacific breezes in a coastal sanctuary, where you can witness the best of Southern California with your loved ones.
Newport Beach captivates all year round, with warm days, quieter beaches, and easy access to its harbor life.
California Luxury at Your Pace
Every season here has its own rhythm, going from breezy spring afternoons to crisp winter evenings by the harbor, and back again.
Here are some of the stays and experiences that bring you the best of Newport Beach leisure:
The Resort at Pelican Hill
Begin your stay at The Resort at Pelican Hill, where leaving the grounds soon feels entirely optional.
Set across 504 hillside acres overlooking the Pacific, this five-star retreat pairs Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture with sweeping ocean views and a celebrated circular pool basking in the California sunshine.
Private bungalows and residential-style villas provide the space, privacy, and comfort families value most, while championship golf, a restorative spa, and refined dining invite you to settle into the unhurried rhythm of a Newport Beach getaway.
Every detail is designed to make staying in just as rewarding as exploring beyond.
Balboa Bay Resort
Set along Newport Harbor, Balboa Bay Resort makes the coastal setting a natural extension of your stay.
As the only Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond waterfront resort in Newport Beach, it offers private balconies, a full-service spa, harborside dining, and a private marina, creating the sweet hum of coastal luxury.
The resort can also arrange everything from yacht charters to morning sails, making it easy to explore the bay.
Lido House, Autograph Collection
For a stay with a more residential feel, Lido House, Autograph Collection brings the easy elegance of a private beach house to the heart of Newport Beach.
Its Cape Cod-inspired design, rooftop views, and relaxed coastal spaces create a polished yet welcoming base for couples and families.
With Lido Marina Village and the harbor close by, days can flow naturally from boutique shopping and waterfront dining to an unhurried evening back at the hotel.
Pendry Newport Beach
For a more contemporary mood, Pendry Newport Beach brings a stylish, design-led sensibility to the heart of Newport Center.
Its 295 guestrooms, including 114 suites, the world-class Spa Pendry, a sparkling outdoor pool, and curated seasonal options create a sophisticated retreat for couples, families, and luxury travelers.
Just steps from Fashion Island and minutes from the coast, Pendry blends upscale shopping, ocean breezes, and laid-back elegance, capturing the modern spirit of Newport Beach.
A Style Refresh at Fashion Island
No Newport Beach visit is complete without Fashion Island, the city’s open-air shopping destination with designer boutiques, restaurants, and a relaxed coastal setting.
Guests seeking a more elevated retail experience can reserve the complimentary Personal Shopping service and retreat to the private Personal Shopping Style Suite.
Here, a dedicated stylist curates a personalized selection from leading fashion houses before you arrive, allowing you to browse in a serene lounge.
VEA Newport Beach
Just minutes from Balboa Island, VEA Newport Beach is a refined coastal haven built for relaxed mornings.
Most of its 400 guestrooms, including its 33 suites, open to stunning ocean vistas; it’s an ideal place for families looking to unwind by the Pacific.
Days move easily here, from SPA VEA’s private saltwater pool to the 85-foot Edge Pool, with fresh California cuisine at View Restaurant.
Come afternoon, charter a boat to see the coastline from the water, with the gentle Pacific breeze.
Whether your idea of indulgence is a tranquil spa retreat or a sunset cruise through the harbor, Newport Beach lets luxury unfold at your pace.
As evening settles in, enjoy fresh-caught seafood, prime cuts, inventive craft mocktails, and glittering harbor views, with welcoming restaurants that cater to large family gatherings and diverse dietary preferences.
Family Moments for Every Generation
Few destinations suit multigenerational travel as naturally as Newport Beach. Its calendar stays busy in every season, covering spring tide pools to cozy winter harbor cruises.
With the harbor at the center, beach days, boat rides, dining, and family-friendly outings are all within easy reach.
Endless Beach Days
With about 10 miles of coastline, the city offers everything from broad, sun-soaked stretches to tucked-away coves.
Corona del Mar State Beach is a family favorite, known for surfing, golden sunsets, and sweeping coastal views.
Off-season, the same stretch of coast turns quiet, ideal for long walks and tide-pooling without the crowds.
For younger families, nearby Marina Park & Beach has picnic-friendly lawns, restrooms, lifeguards on watch, and kayak rentals right at hand.
Have a relaxed family lunch, paddle a kayak across the calm bay, or simply settle onto the beach while your little ones play safely nearby.
Classic Fun at Balboa Village and the Fun Zone
Make time for Balboa Village and the Balboa Fun Zone, one of Southern California’s oldest coastal amusement areas.
Ride the waterfront Ferris wheel, play classic arcade games, set off on a harbor cruise, and wander freely between beach and bay.
Playful and nostalgic, this corner of Newport Beach captures the city’s classic California spirit.
For the full Balboa fun, make time for a chocolate-dipped frozen banana, a beloved local treat.
The Balboa Island Ferry
Indulge in a classic California moment by crossing Newport Harbor aboard the Balboa Island Ferry.
In continuous service for over a century, the ferry carries pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles between Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula.
Take in the harbor views and sea breeze as you move between shopping, beach treats, and scenic stops.
Whale Watching on the Pacific
Few adventures feel as memorable as spotting marine life in the open Pacific.
Newport Landing and Davey’s Locker offer daily guided whale-watching tours year-round.
Summer is a prime season for blue whales, often joined by dolphin pods gliding through the water nearby, while gray whales pass offshore in winter and spring.
A Holiday Classic: The Christmas Boat Parade
At the end of the year, Newport Harbor transforms for the Christmas Boat Parade, a beloved tradition that fills the water with illuminated boats and the shoreline with festive energy.
Families can gather along the harbor to watch the procession glide past in a sparkling display that feels both spectacular and warmly local.
It is a classic family event not to be missed and a wonderful reason to return to Newport Beach for another stay when the holiday season arrives.
Coastal Adventures & Outdoor Activities
Beyond its refined resorts and harbor views, Newport Beach also stands out for its natural beauty, making it an ideal outdoor destination.
Sun, Sand, and Surf
The city’s beaches stretch for miles, from the family-friendly sands near the Newport Pier to the legendary surf break at The Wedge on the Balboa Peninsula.
Whether you’re chasing waves, building sandcastles, or simply soaking up the long daylight, there is a stretch of shoreline here for every kind of beach day.
A City Best Witnessed from the Water
Newport Beach is a city best seen from the water.
Newport Harbor is one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the West Coast; the culture here is built around sailing, cruising, and paddleboarding.
Glide across glassy morning water on a paddleboard, take a sailing lesson with a local instructor, or rent a small boat to explore the bay’s quiet coves at your own cadence.
Duffy Boats and Harbor Adventures
For a more private way to discover Newport Harbor, charter a yacht.
While there are plenty of harbor cruises and private charters to choose from, no visit to Newport Beach is complete without a ride on one of the city’s iconic electric Duffy boats.
Larger cruises offer a front-row seat to the coastline; a Duffy lets you experience Newport Harbor at a slower, more relaxed pace, gliding past waterfront estates, luxury yachts, and scenic marina views.
Many rentals accommodate up to 10 guests, making them perfect for a leisurely afternoon on the water.
Quiet Nature at the Back Bay
If you are craving some greenery, Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, known locally as the Back Bay, provides a peaceful escape just moments from the luxury resorts.
One of the few remaining estuaries in Southern California, Upper Newport Bay encompasses nearly 1,000 acres of protected open space, where tranquil trails wind through wetlands teeming with birdlife.
Come in the early morning, when the air is cool, and the light is soft, and follow the estuary by kayak before the sun climbs high—an unhurried way to take in the scenery without ever feeling the midday heat.
Perfectly Positioned in Southern California
Newport Beach’s central location makes it easy to spend the day exploring Southern California’s best-known attractions before returning to a calmer coastal base with harbor views.
The Magic of Disneyland
For families, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim is a must. The resort is home to two theme parks, the Downtown Disney dining and shopping district, and a trio of Disney hotels.
At Disneyland Park, beloved classics and timeless stories unfold around every corner. Wander from Main Street, U.S.A. and Fantasyland to Adventureland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland, where attractions such as the Jungle Cruise and Space Mountain continue to delight generations.
Just next door, Disney California Adventure adds immersive lands including Cars Land, Avengers Campus, and Pixar Pier.
Together, the parks bring nostalgia and wonder to every generation, from a child meeting a favorite character for the first time to grandparents sharing cherished Disney memories with the family.
After a magical day at the parks, return to your Newport Beach resort in around 25 minutes, swapping Anaheim’s crowds for a peaceful evening by the water.
A Day in Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills
Spend a day in Los Angeles, and the icons come to life.
In Hollywood, promenade the famous Walk of Fame, pose beneath the Hollywood Sign, see the handprints outside the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, then take in the city from Griffith Observatory.
If you are a family of cinephiles, visit Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood for a behind-the-scenes look at a real working studio.
Wander along iconic backlot streets and soundstages, step onto the sets of Friends and The Big Bang Theory, visit the iconic Central Perk Café, and discover authentic props and costumes from beloved franchises including the DC Universe and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Let the glamour of Beverly Hills allure you where palm-lined boulevards, designer storefronts, and timeless California magnificence create a world all their own.
Wander along Rodeo Drive and the marble arcades of Two Rodeo, pausing beneath the gleaming façades of Dior, Gucci, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Versace.
As the day winds down, return from Los Angeles to Newport Beach, where cooler ocean air, a calmer evening, and a private marina-view terrace await.
Going Farther: San Diego
If your itinerary allows, venture to San Diego for a full-day trip all within an easy drive down the coast.
Snorkel among bright fish and curious sea lions at La Jolla Cove, part of a protected underwater park and ranked among the world’s best beaches.
Spread out on the wide white sand of Coronado Beach, then spend a rewarding afternoon in San Diego’s Balboa Park, the “Smithsonian of the West,” where 1,200 lush acres hold 17 museums, manicured gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
World-Class Shopping in Orange County
A short drive away in Costa Mesa, South Coast Plaza adds another world-class shopping layer to the trip.
It is a premier luxury destination with more than 230 boutiques along with fine dining, performing arts, and exclusive events.
Home to leading fashion houses including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, Fendi, Loewe, and Christian Louboutin, it is a worthwhile stop for travelers planning serious retail time in Orange County.
It also houses the largest collection of luxury timepiece and jewelry boutiques under one roof in North America, making it well worth a dedicated visit for GCC travelers.
The Best of California in One Destination
For families and luxury travelers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, Newport Beach offers a vacation that blends coastal elegance with family-friendly experiences and easy access to Southern California’s most famous attractions.
