Things To Do
Travel Map
As you plan your travels, the google map linked below may be helpful. It includes major points like the wedding venue, airports, hotels, and recommendations from this page.
Explore Balboa Island
Explore the shops on Marine Avenue or go for a walk around the island's perimeter to get a glance of the waterfront homes. Swing by Dad's for a Balboa Bar (butter brickle topping is the best), or a frozen banana if you're an Arrested Development fan. Keep an eye out for the Baron Cottage on East Bay Front to say hi to Sav's grandparents!
Rent a Duffy Boat
Renting a Duffy (electric boat) is the best way to see all of Newport from the water. Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and hit the harbor! PRO TIP: there are MANY duffy rental companies around town. Check Groupon for discounted rentals.
Stand Up Paddle
Pirate Coast Paddle offers stand up paddle (SUP) and kayak rentals. Check out one of their SUP Yoga classes or SUP Glow tours!
Lido Marina Village
Shopping and dining right on the harbor! This waterfront shopping center is a great place to wander on a sunny afternoon.
Fashion Island
For a more traditional shopping experience, check out our regional outdoor mall, Fashion Island. Fun fact: Savannah worked at the Vineyard Vines store here in high school and college, alongside some of her best friends you'll see at the wedding! The world-renowned South Coast Plaza shopping mall is also a short drive away.
Balboa Fun Zone
Originally created to be the "Coney Island of the West," the Balboa Fun Zone is an iconic tourist destination. Take the ferry over from Balboa Island to ride the ferris wheel, play some arcade games, check out the historic Balboa Pavilion building, and grab a beer at Balboa Saloon.
Hit the Beach!
Newport Beach prides itself on pristine California beaches with 10 miles of coastline for surfing, swimming, or sunbathing that easily rank among the best in the state. Millions of people visit Newport Beach annually and enjoy the sand, pier, ocean, and boardwalk. The most famous spot for seeing monstrous surf is The Wedge at 2172 E. Ocean Front. Click the link below for more beach information.
Take a Hike!
There are so many great walking/hiking trails in the area, and September weather is perfect for being outside in the sun. Some of our favorite trails include the Back Bay, Castaways Park, and El Moro. They all have great views of the water! Click the link below for more hiking trail information.
Alta Coffee
Cozy cafe where we had our first official date! Sav's favorite is the vanilla chai.
Coffee Dose
Must have a good sense of humor for this coffee shop. Their snarky slogans and cute diner style make this local favorite an instagrammable hit.
Hola Adios Coffeeshop
One of our favorite local coffee shops with an awesome breakfast selection. The Bacon and Friends breakfast burrito is a must.
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
Satify your sweet tooth with the best donut in SoCal. You can't go wrong here, but we'll recommend the Butter & Salt. Pro tip: order online to skip the line!
Bear Flag Fish Company
Freshest fish you'll find in town. This sustainable seafood market serves up tacos, sandwiches, and sushi. But if you're a raw fish fan, you absolutely must get an order of their poke with chips.
Galley Cafe
The classic diner experience! Tables are first come, first served so arrive on the early side for breakfast to get a spot in line. They've been serving up their house special Chili Cheese Omelet for decades!
Boil & Bake
Our go-to bagel shop! The menu changes seasonally so it's hard to make specific recommendations, but we can easily say we've loved every menu item we've tried here.
Ho Sum Bistro
Non-traditional Asian eats inspired by the California coast. Our go-to is the combo salad.
The Taco Stand
If you're looking for an authentic taco experience while you're in California, you have to go to The Taco Stand. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu, but our personal favorites are the Al Pastor, Baja Taco, and Sonora Taco. Wash it all down with a Pacifico!
The Crab Cooker
A true Newport Beach institution, this no-frills seafood restaurant has been serving our beach town for decades. The chowder is a local favorite!
C'est Si Bon Bakery
Aaron & Sav love walking to this traditional French bakery on the weekends for coffee & croissants. They also have terrific sandwiches - pick one up on your way to the beach!
Rye Goods
Organic sourdough bakery serving seasonal goods baked daily using local ingredients. We genuinely can't pick a favorite menu item - they're all delicious!
A Restaurant
Originally The Arches (now A), this restaurant has been a Newport Beach landmark since the opening of Pacific Coast Highway. It also happens to be where we had our engagement party! The perfect date night spot, but make sure to make a reservation early!
CdM Restaurant
Consider CdM the "little sister" restaurant to A (above). Their Parker House Rolls are a must. Check out the speakeasy downstairs for a fun surprise!
Buddha's Favorite
If you're in the mood for good sushi, look no further than this perfectly tucked away hidden treasure on the harbor. Make sure to get an order of crispy rice!
Arc Butcher & Baker
Where food is meant to be shared... go here with a group so you can try it all! The atmosphere on the patio is unbeatable.
Malibu Farm Lido
Farm-to-table California cuisine overlooking Newport Harbor. We recommend a spot on the deck!
Oak & Coal
We love a sharable menu, and Oak & Coal's is hard to beat! Some of our favorites at this modern Japanese eatery include the chashu bao buns and bacon wrapped tomatoes, though they're always adding delicious new items.
Mutt Lynch's
Known for their schooners of beer, Mutt's is a longstanding Newport establishment. You can often find a line to get in for their weekend brunch. We're big fans of their trivia night!
Malarky's Irish Pub
Where we first met! Malarky's opened in the 70s and has been one of Newport's most popular bars ever since.
Blackie's By the Sea
They say you're not a local until you've been to Blackie's. This dive bar has been around for generations - you're destined to find people of all ages hanging out here any day (or night) of the week.
Laguna Beach
Laguna borders Newport to the south, so it's just a short drive down PCH. The small beach town is known for its art scene, coves, and beaches. If you decide to visit, we'd recommend a drink at Rooftop Lounge for great views of the coastline, shopping downtown, golfing at The Ranch (Ben Brown's Golf Course), seeing the Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach, and learning about California artists at the Laguna Art Museum.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic landmark and museum, is the Birthplace of Orange County and considered the "Jewel of the California Missions." Originally built as a self sufficient community by Spanish Padres and Native Americans, the Mission was a center for agriculture, industry, education and religion. Today, it is a monument to California’s multi-cultural history, embracing its Native American, Spanish, Mexican and European heritage. If you decide to visit the Mission, check out San Juan Capistrano's Los Rios District before you leave town. It's the oldest neighborhood in California!
San Clemente
San Clemente is a city known for its surf culture and Spanish-style architecture that borders Orange and San Diego Counties. It's also home to Savannah's favorite used bookstore (Beach Town Books) and Aaron's favorite cocktails (Momoku No Usagi). Other San Clemente recommendations include Casa Romantica Cultural Center & Gardens, pirate-themed speakeasy The Lost Inferno, and T Street Beach.
Aquarium of the Pacific
Southern California's largest aquarium with 100+ exhibits celebrating the planets most diverse body of water - the Pacific Ocean. If you're traveling with little ones, this is a great educational excursion. We personally think their Night Dive events make for the perfect unique date night.
Disneyland Park
For Disney fans looking for a family-friendly day trip, Disneyland is a <30 min drive!
Santa Catalina Island
For the ultimate SoCal experience, spend a day exploring Catalina Island! The Catalina Flyer offers roundtrip service from Newport Harbor to Avalon, crossing the channel in approximately 75 minutes. Only 26 miles across the sea, Catalina feels like an entirely different world. The island has a fascinating history, from the iconic Casino building, to the Wrigley/Chicago Cubs connection, to the story behind its diverse wildlife. We visit the island regularly and highly encourage you to do so if you have the time while in town. Make sure to try the island's signature Buffalo Milk drink (every restaurant has their own version) or get your wiki whacked at Luau Larry's!
The Big Cities - Los Angeles & San Diego
Orange County is a great home base for a larger Southern California trip because it sits right in between Los Angeles and San Diego! Los Angeles The heart of LA is approximately an hour north of Newport. From hiking the Hollywood sign trails, to shopping on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach, to exploring the Santa Monica pier, there's no shortage of tourism activities. Some of our favorite things in LA include lunch at The Ivy in Beverly Hills, concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, brats and biers at Wurstkuche, and Taiwanese small plates at Pine & Crane. San Diego You can drive from Newport to San Diego in ~1.5 hour, or leave the car behind and hop on the Pacific Surfliner for a coastal train ride. Our recommendations for San Diego include Balboa Park (stop by the Natural History Museum there and say hi to the dinos for Aaron!), Coin-Op arcade bar in the Gaslamp Quarter, and Lucky's Lunch Counter for the best breakfast burritos.