Newport Beach, California!

[can]

Thank you, pixarmom, for all the great Newport Beach info. My 20 year old daughter and I are coming out end of July and I have been thinking of staying in this area. My question is that just being the two of us, any tips or recommendations on where to stay? If it isn't directly the ocean front, we are ok, but would at least like a pool. Again, great info that I am most definitely going to use!!

[MrsPinup]

Thank you for this thread We went yesterday and I was hoping you could add a little more and I wanted to offer my two cents.

First off, directions for us non-locals would be great! I put 15th street intersection in on my TomTom and it took me to a really nice neighborhood near Newport Harbor HS. Luckily, you added the photo of the 15th Street Surf shop and I was able to look that up to redirect us. Since there are two 15th Streets in Newport (from what we experienced) this was rather confusing.

When we arrived there was no parking near 15th street so we parked down near 11th and walked up the beach sidewalk. Towards 11th and 12th was much less crowded and just as beautiful. However, we didn't change into our swimsuits thinking there would be a place to change. Since there are none, we walked to those bathrooms you mentioned. They were disgusting! The women's restroom had only 2 clean stalls, and tp and garbage all over the ground. The men's restroom had no doors so my sons couldn't change. Note: Change into swimwear BEFORE you head to the beach. I had to hold a towel up for them to change.

After that we headed back towards 12th and found a nice, less-crowded area. At one point while the DH and I were tanning, and my son was playing at the shoreline, I saw fins in the water, just 30 feet or so out. Heart Attack! Thankfully, it was a pair of dolphins - So COOL!

Here is another tip: you can pay for the parking meters using the parking mobile app or via your phone. This was pretty convienent so you do not have to worry about a pocketful of quarters.

All in all we really enjoyed this beach, but I do wish Newport cleaned their bathrooms and maybe added some more.

[AussieJess]

Great Photos of Newport Beach I can't wait to go there when i travel to the USA in September

[pixarmom]

Originally Posted by can

Thank you, pixarmom, for all the great Newport Beach info. My 20 year old daughter and I are coming out end of July and I have been thinking of staying in this area. My question is that just being the two of us, any tips or recommendations on where to stay? If it isn't directly the ocean front, we are ok, but would at least like a pool. Again, great info that I am most definitely going to use!!

I just saw this post, so I'm sure I'm too late! We usually rent a beach house, and they are often booked far in advance for the summer. But for hotels on the peninsula, we can really only recommend the Bay Shores Peninsula (excellent location, OK hotel and no pool.)

Originally Posted by MrsPinup

Thank you for this thread We went yesterday and I was hoping you could add a little more and I wanted to offer my two cents.

First off, directions for us non-locals would be great! I put 15th street intersection in on my TomTom and it took me to a really nice neighborhood near Newport Harbor HS. Luckily, you added the photo of the 15th Street Surf shop and I was able to look that up to redirect us. Since there are two 15th Streets in Newport (from what we experienced) this was rather confusing.

When we arrived there was no parking near 15th street so we parked down near 11th and walked up the beach sidewalk. Towards 11th and 12th was much less crowded and just as beautiful. However, we didn't change into our swimsuits thinking there would be a place to change. Since there are none, we walked to those bathrooms you mentioned. They were disgusting! The women's restroom had only 2 clean stalls, and tp and garbage all over the ground. The men's restroom had no doors so my sons couldn't change. Note: Change into swimwear BEFORE you head to the beach. I had to hold a towel up for them to change.

After that we headed back towards 12th and found a nice, less-crowded area. At one point while the DH and I were tanning, and my son was playing at the shoreline, I saw fins in the water, just 30 feet or so out. Heart Attack! Thankfully, it was a pair of dolphins - So COOL!

Here is another tip: you can pay for the parking meters using the parking mobile app or via your phone. This was pretty convienent so you do not have to worry about a pocketful of quarters.

All in all we really enjoyed this beach, but I do wish Newport cleaned their bathrooms and maybe added some more.

So glad you enjoyed Newport!!! Great tips on parking - we usually park near our beach house rental during the summer and walk, so your tip regarding the meters in the summer months is good to hear. As for directions, I usually put either our beach house address (not very helpful for day visitors) or Newport Elementary into my phone for directions.

Agreed on the 15th street bathrooms. Those are the not-so-clean ones and I always carry hand sanitizer because they do not have soap. Really sad to hear they were in such poor condition during your visit. I definitely agree that you should have your swimsuit on when you arrive!!! All good points - I've never been a day visitor to Newport, so the additional suggestions should be very helpful!

[undertheseas]

This thread is so helpful, thank you so much guys, especially pixarmom!