California..... Fun in the Sun!
Newport Beach Tourist Information
Located in Southern California's sunny coast, the resort town of Newport Beach is famous for its warm ocean breezes and golden sand beaches. Southern California as a whole is an incredible destination, take a look below to see all of the exciting attractions!
Beaches
Orange County Beaches
Orange county beaches are popular surfing locations. Swimming, body surfing, sunbathing and tide pools with colorful sea anemones, sea urchins, sand crabs and a variety of shells and sand dollars are favorite beach activities.
Catalina Island
Catalina Island lies 26 miles across the Pacific from the Hotel. The Catalina Flyer whisks passengers daily from Newport Harbor for the 76-minute trip. While on the island, enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving and glass bottom boat rides, offering a view of the under-water world. Inland tours offer a variety of wildlife. Boat departs at 9:00 am daily.
Amusement Parks
Wild Rivers Amusement Park
Wild Rivers Amusement Park is one of America's largest waterparks. With over 40 water rides and attractions for all ages, it lets you enjoy the excitement of whitewater tubing on the Congo River rapids or be fired from the Bombay Blaster. Open from May to October.
Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney
Disneyland is one of America's best-known family-fun venues, with rides, shows, parades and shopping to entertain young and old visitors alike. The Magic Kingdom alone offers eight adventure playlands that span 80 acres.
Disney's California Adventure is Disneyland Resort's second theme park, offering over 30 fun-filled attractions. An exciting exploration of the Golden State, the park features live music, dazzling parades and an abundance of dining and shopping outlets at Downtown Disney.
Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park
Knott's Theme Park features 165 rides, shows and attractions in six themed areas, including Camp Snoopy. New rides include the 30-storey Supreme Scream; GhostRider, rated the world's best wooden roller coaster; and Perilous Plunge, the world's tallest water ride.
Universal Studios Theme Park
Universal Studios offers a guided tour through the backlot, passing live soundstages and featuring special effects demonstrations with audience participation. After the tour, the theme park highlights Universal's most popular hits with live shows.
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is recognized as the finest, most extensive zoo in the United States. The zoo is set on 100 acres and houses over 3,200 animals, many rare and endangered.
Wild Animal Park
The San Diego Wild Animal Park is a sprawling 1,800-acre preserve, simulating the open plains of Africa and Asia.
SeaWorld
SeaWorld is an aquatic playground where sea creatures frolic and people watch. A unique petting zoo allows feeding and stroking of dolphins and whales. Regular shows demonstrate the talents of killer whales, sea lions, porpoises and more.
Legoland
Come explore this amazing family theme park where kids are in the driver's seat. Kids can play all day on over 40 fun-filled rides and adventures and parents can join in on all the fun.
Museums and Points of Interest
Orange County Art Museum
The Orange County Art Museum is a contemporary museum, offering a fascinating view of the world of modern and contemporary art. With a permanent collection of 1,200 pieces, this museum presents a series of international exhibitions.
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
Featuring 9 acres (3.6 hectares) of galleries, gardens, statues, theatres and the restored birthplace of America's 37th President. The third most popular visitor attraction in Orange County.
The Mission at San Juan Capistrano
The Mission at San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, provides an insight into 18th-century Spanish architecture with its historical setting of gardens, fountains and a way of life long forgotten.
The Queen Mary
The RMS Queen Mary has established itself as one of the unique places to visit in the world. A tour of the historic staterooms and cabins takes you back to the regal days of the British Empire. The largest, most luxurious ship afloat offers entertainment, restaurants and shops.
Laguna Art Museum
The Laguna Art Museum offers changing exhibits and private collections of contemporary and historical regional art.
Shopping
Fashion Island Shopping Center
Fashion Island is adjacent to the Island Hotel and includes such department stores as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Macy's. More than 200 shops, boutiques, specialty stores and galleries make up this Mediterranean-style outdoor shopping destination. Dining can be found at more than 45 restaurants including: Hard Rock Cafe, California Pizza Kitchen, Roy's of Hawaii, Fleming's and P.F. Chang's China Bistro. Fashion Island also offers two movie theatres with a total of nine screens - one of which is the largest on the West Coast.
Theatre and Performing Arts
Orange County Performing Arts Center
The Orange County Performing Arts Center offers ballet, symphony, opera, Broadway musicals and plays in a spectacular setting. A magnificent entertainment hall for classical and contemporary performing arts, including drama, dance, jazz and chamber music performances.
Laguna Playhouse
Today more than 110,000 theatergoers, yearly attend performances at the Laguna Playhouse. Its continued growth, expansion, artistic excellence, audience popularity and critical acclaim have helped make it one of Southern California's most important nonprofit theatre companies.
Weather
Newport Beach's biggest asset is its dry, sub-tropical Mediterranean climate. Very little rain, low humidity and lots of sunshine make the weather ideal.
January temperatures for Newport Beach range in Fahrenheit from:
HIGH 67 degrees
LOW 47 degrees
