Strolling the sands of Newport Beach offers a walk in the path of Hollywood stars including many places where the cameras were rolling.
Charming cottages dot the beautiful shoreline of Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District. The 24 dwellings from the 1930s have been restored and are available for rent. The 1988 movie “Beaches,” starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, was filmed here.
Groups can hop aboard the Duffy boat tour and get a peek at John Wayne’s estate and yacht “The Wild Goose,” and the former homes of Shirley Temple, James Cagney and George Burns. They can take in the views of other stately beach mansions, clubs and yachts while cruising the Lido Peninsula and Newport Beach Harbor Islands—waters once frequented by Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
The beachside shopping scene is anchored by Fashion Island, an open-air center with luxury stores, specialty boutiques and acclaimed restaurants. The nearby Lido Marina Village houses a variety of shops, like Stone Cold Fox, a vintage-inspired store with Los Angeles-made clothing; Clare V., offering French-inspired accessories; and Charlie & Me, a boutique for dogs. Shoppers also can find chic beauty salons, health clubs and eateries like Malibu Farm, which serves up farm-to-table dishes, and Zinqué, the perfect spot for waterfront dining with a wine bar. The stylish village setting is a favorite of the stars of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”
The Ferris wheel at the Fun Zone at Balboa Village offers some incredible views of the Newport Harbor (and a famous scene from “The OC” was shot here). Its boardwalk has no admission cost, and groups can do bayside bungee jumping, ride on the giant Happy Swing or put their inner kid to the test in the arcade room. They can also find whale-watching options here and see the harbor’s abundant sea lions.
For more information, email Visit Newport Beach’s Colleen Costello or go to visitnewportbeach.com.
Top photo: The Balboa Pavilion at Newport Beach
Photo by Visit Newport Beach
Support for Courier articles provided by:
Fairfield Conference & Visitors Bureau
The Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
Sensorio
UC Santa Barbara Conference and Hospitality Services
