California small towns – Newport Beach: part 3 – food and accommodations

Newport Beach ranks high on the list of beautiful California beach destinations. It’s perfectly located down the coast from busy Los Angeles.

You can find traces of both old and new everywhere in Newport Beach. Go to historic Dory Fleet Fish Market, which was founded in 1891 and has been operating as a fish market ever since. It sits near popular seaside restaurants such as Bluewater Grill, Fly ’N’ Fish Oyster Bar, and Bear Flag Fish Co. Note how some folks around here do the “dock and dine”—pulling their boats up to a restaurant for dinner. You can even take a Hornblower Cruises tour of John Wayne’s old yacht, The Wild Goose, and catch a view of his oceanfront mansion. Belying his cowboy image, the Duke was reportedly once a bodysurfer himself.

Browse the boutiques of the Corona del Mar neighborhood, or go to the open-air Fashion Island, home to high-end retail stores. Come to town in spring and you can watch screenings at the Newport Beach Film Festival or listen to music at the Newport Beach Jazz Festival.

Accommodations

Accommodation options range from luxurious resorts to B&Bs to vacation rentals and hotels. At some, you can even pull up by boat.

Choose from an award-winning list of hotels as well as boutique hotels, beach hotels, resorts, cottages, rental properties, and camping sites on the sand. Check vacation rentals or a bed and breakfast if you’re looking for a more intimate travel experience along the coast. Newport has everything from different types of accommodations and stunning beaches, to fun things to do outside and cute shops. With so many hotels in all different neighborhoods, there is a great place to stay for all personalities in California’s top beach destination.

Newport Beach Hotel is ‘Newport’s Closest Hotel to the Beach,’ located in the heart of one of California’s most popular beach settings. The hotel is ideal for guests who enjoy being surrounded by youthful energy including an eclectic beach scene as well as an exciting nightlife. 

Just steps from the sand, the updated hotel features coastal-inspired decor and guestrooms with king or queen beds. The Sailor Suites offer a full kitchen plus separate bedrooms for the perfect family getaway. Opt for the Oceanfront Spa guestroom and enjoy panoramic views of the active Newport Beach and ocean beyond.

Newport Beach Hotel is a member of Four Sisters Inns, a curated collection of distinctive and independent small hotels that seamlessly blend an inviting and intimate setting with signature amenities and attentive, gracious service.

You’ll enjoy a complimentary light continental breakfast, free umbrellas, beach chairs, towels, and a variety of sand toys.

In addition to your complimentary Continental breakfast, beach gear, and bicycles to borrow, you’ll also enjoy all of the following, included in your stay: WiFi access, filtered water, coffee & tea.

• Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, a family-friendly hotel which features 110 acres of sandy beach and gentle back-bay waves with a laid-back luxury vibe. Choose from large cottages that sleep up to six or smaller studio cottages; amenities include four pools, kayak and Duffy boat rentals, and the kid-favorite Inflatable Water Park.
• The Resort at Pelican Hill with its panoramic ocean views, pristine pools, and one of the world’s best golf courses is a place where you can feel like you are in Italy. It’s golf course ranked the No. 1 Golf Resort in the World, complete with 36 championship holes of ocean view golf.
• Pendry (former Fashion Island Hotel) is a perfect place for spa-lovers, people looking to find rejuvenation, and shoppers.
• Lido House is a sophisticated beach cottage with a only rooftop bar in Newport Beach and rooms offer guests an authentic beach-house feel.
• Balboa Bay Resort offers luxury and comfort and is a waterfront and one of the most unique hotels in Newport Beach.
• Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa, built circa-1924, is a bed & breakfasts on a smaller, more intimate scale
• Doryman’s Oceanfront Inn is a very similar, a little less expensive place.
• Hyatt Regency, recently renovated, features a new lounge and three pools including “Indulge” for adults only. 
• Renaissance Hotel offers comfort and elegance along with cuisine featuring local and sustainable foods.
• Marriott Hotel and Spa, with Golf course views and the newly added rose garden, provide a tranquil atmosphere for your stay. 
• Marriott Bayview offers stunning views of the Upper Newport Back Bay.
• Hyatt Regency offers guests lush landscaping and award-winning dining. 

Food

Newport Beach has been crowned Orange County’s top culinary community. Within each unique neighborhood, an explosion of culinary opportunities awaits on every corner. From sophisticated restaurants offering succulent steaks, seafood, and elaborate wine lists, to healthy eateries and hidden local gems, each neighborhood offers its own charming dining experiences to please your palate.

A&O Restaurant And Bar. Located inside the Balboa Bay Resort has great ambiance and tasty food. The decor is invitingly coastal and the wrap-around patio is popular for the views and live entertainment. The huevos rancheros make a delicious breakfast, but you should try the clam chowder, Cuban sandwich, or grilled octopus later in the day. They also keep things fun by offering Western Wednesdays and Sushi and Sake Saturdays.

Address: 1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 8 am – 9 pm; Friday – Saturday, 8 am – 10:30 pm

Sol Grill. A family-owned, friendly restaurant that offers surf and turf food with California inspiration. You’ll find filet mignon and swordfish on a menu that will surprise you from this awesome little place. The lobster ravioli also holds a top spot as a favorite item. It’s a reasonably priced location for a comforting dinner.

Address: 2400 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 5 pm – 9 pm; Friday – Saturday, 5 pm – 10 pm

Basilic. Fine dining restaurant that feels like a step back in time and place to an old French-Swiss restaurant where nothing is old and ordinary about the dishes prepared by Bernard Althaus. He’s the kind of owner who will walk through the dining room occasionally to make sure his guests are enjoying their meals every bit as much as he enjoyed preparing them. The five-course tasting makes a top choice from the menu, but so does the rack of lamb. Make sure to save room for the sumptuous creme brulee duo.

Address: 217 Marine Ave, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 5 pm – 10 pm

Gracias Madre. A vegan cuisine withincredible loaded nachos prepared without using traditional dairy ingredients. Try pairing your meal with a hibiscus mimosa for a fun twist.

Address: 1617 Westcliff Dr, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 2 pm – 9 pm; Friday, 2 pm – 10 pm; Saturday 11 am – 10 pm; Sunday 11 am – 9 pm

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. It’s a popular place located inland near U.C. Irvine. They have an extensive wine collection and pride themselves on having “cocktails with attitude” like the popular smoked old fashioned. You’ll love the ribeye, any of the several lobster dishes, and the Chilean sea bass. And don’t leave without ordering the bananas Foster cake.

Address: 1370 Bison Ave, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 4 pm – 9:30 pm; Friday – Saturday, 4 pm – 10 pm; Sunday, 4 pm – 9 pm

The Original Mama D’s Italian Kitchen. This is where you go with the family or friends to eat piles of food in a bustling restaurant that wants you to feel like you’re part of the family. You’ll find all your favorite classic Italian dishes here, like eggplant parmigiana, linguini and mussels, chicken marsala, limone, piccata, and cacciatore. Get here early since the lines can get crazy long sometimes.

Address: 3012 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 4 pm – 8:30 pm; Friday – Saturday, 4 pm – 9 pm

Crystal Cove Shake Shack. This is an original Californian fast food joint that is not a chain and a long-time favorite of many travelers through this area. Get in line for a tasty burger, fish and chips, fries, and a shake from this adorable little shack on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). They even offer an impossible burger for vegetarians. The view of the beach is a nice addition. Parking can get limited on weekends, and if you can’t find a place to sit, just head down to the beach with your meal.

Address: 7703 East Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 7 am – 9 pm; Friday – Saturday, 7 am – 10 pm

Flower Child. This might be the cutest little restaurant (inside and outside) on our list. You’ll find that farm-fresh, local ingredients fill the menu here where you can choose from protein bowls, wraps, salads, and meaty entrees. Each is prepared with a different flavor from Mexican to Asian, but the Mother Earth bowl is a top favorite. This is not the place for you if you’re hoping for a calorie-loaded comfort food meal, but it’s great if you want a filling, healthy meal to power you through your afternoon.

Address: 1302 Bison Ave, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Open daily, 11 am – 8 pm

The Dock. Incredible and beautiful dishes like the rack of lamb or fresh Alaskan halibut. Their menu isn’t extensive so they can focus on creating great dishes every time, served by an attentive staff. As you sip on your wine, you can enjoy the peaceful view of the harbor and plan your next adventure. You must book a reservation to eat here (and cancellation fees apply), so plan ahead to eat any evening from Wednesday through Sunday.

Address: 2816 Lafayette Ave, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 5 pm – 8:30 pm

Ohana Sushi And Ramen. If you need a fast, casual place to grab some sushi, ramen, or poke, Ohana is the place to be. You can build your own poke bowl or order one of their super fresh sushi rolls. They’re located right on the peninsula just steps from the beach, so it’s the perfect place to grab some fresh food and eat as you walk along the beach.

Address: 514 W Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, then 5 pm – 9 pm

Fig & Olive. A seasonal taste of the French Riviera. The outdoor patio has a fireplace when it’s cool, the bar and lounge often has live music, the main Orchard Room has plenty of comfortable seating, and the Wine Room is perfect for late night, romantic evenings. Flavored olive oils are used in almost every dish, like the Atlantic salmon, Spanish octopus, and even the Fig & Olive burger.

Address: 151 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA

Hours: Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, 12 pm – 8:30 pm; Friday – Saturday, 12 pm – 9:30 pm

Newport also offers a few small but sweet luxuries

Sugar ’n Spice and Dad’s, each on Balboa Island’s Marine Avenue, are proud of their frozen chocolate-dipped bananas, and both claim to have invented the Balboa Bar, a chocolate-dipped ice cream bar rolled in sweet or salty toppings. No doubt, you’ll need to try them both to form your own opinion.