Newport Beach: A Destination for Recreation
A Recreational Paradise – Recently voted as the world’s “Best All-Around Sports Beach” by Details Magazine, Newport Beach is truly a recreational paradise. With a perfect climate and more than six miles of pristine beaches, the destination is home to an amazing array of athletic activities. Surfers enjoy some of Southern California’s best waves along the Balboa Peninsula, and beach lovers can run, bike or skate along the boardwalk or catch a game of beach volleyball on one of the many courts. The choice of water activities is endless, and includes kayaking, rowing, canoeing, sport fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing and sailing. Also popular, is hiking and mountain biking through Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, a 752-acre coastal wetland. For more information visit our web site at www.newportbeach-cvb.com.
Yachting – A Newport Beach Tradition - Featuring the largest small boat harbor in the world, Newport Beach is a sailing and boating enthusiast’s dream. Newport is home to more than 9,000 boats and yachts and visitors can enjoy harbor cruises and charters, which tour the destination’s charming bay. Sail and motor boat rentals are available, as are as romantic gondola rides through the intricate canals of the harbor. Ferry rides to Balboa Island are offered throughout the day and for those with an adventurous spirit, there are luxury yacht excursions to Catalina Island.
A favorite spot for sportfishing, the waters of Newport Beach teem with barracuda, yellowtail bonito, shark and halibut. Other aquatic activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing or boogie boarding at Big Corona Beach. During the winter months, visitors can observe the California Grey Whale migration as well as other marine life such as dolphins, sea lions and seals.
Hiking/Mountain Biking
Visitors will experience natures finest as they hike, mountain bike or jog through the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, a 752-acre coastal wetland. The reserve is a birdwatcher’s paradise and is home to 200 rare and endangered bird species. Red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, roadrunners and prairie falcons are just a few of the species that inhabit the area. A 10-mile, multi-use trail loops around Upper Newport Bay and free two-hour walking nature tours are held every Saturday and Sunday. With more than 37 parks spanning 154 acres and 73 miles of trails, Newport Beach offers a variety of routes for any activity.
Newport Aquatic Center
A national training center for Olympic athletes, the Newport Beach Aquatic Center offers 1-1/2 to 2-hour rowing and kayaking clinics every Saturday and Sunday for $40 per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Located on North Star Beach, the center also offers weeklong summer camps for children, ages 8-13, and teaches kayaking and rowing.
From Newport Pier to Santa Ana River Jetty lies the Newport Beach Municipal Beach with ideal bodysurfing conditions, great surfing and sand volleyball courts. The boardwalk is often busy with roller bladers, runners, skateboarders and bicyclists. Corona del Mar Beach, a popular snorkeling spot, offers fire pits and grills, picnic tables and showers. Big Corona Beach provides the ideal location for a family retreat with fire rings, a snack bar and restrooms. There are also a variety of serene Bay Beaches, perfect for families, in and around Newport Beach. Balboa Island offers beaches at the end of each street and the Balboa Peninsula provides a quiet area sheltered from the wind with a lifeguard tower, restrooms, showers and parking.
A Premier Golf Destination – Becoming known as “Orange County California’s Golf Coast”, Newport Beach offers Pelican Hill Golf Club, one of Southern California’s best! Golfers will find Newport Beach a paradise, with a beautiful golf course that challenges even the most experienced golfer. Newport Beach gives players the rare opportunity to play golf against a backdrop of rolling hills dotted with wildflowers, within full view of the coastline and Catalina Island. Orange County California’s Golf Coast offers visitors year-round exceptional weather, picturesque ocean courses with dramatic views of the majestic Pacific Ocean, enjoyable, yet demanding links-style courses in the valleys and challenging winding courses nestled in the foothills. You’ll find great courses created by renowned course designers such as Tom Fazio Design, Robert Trent Jones Jr. Design, and Nicklaus Design, Cal Olsen/Payne Stewart Design, Ted Robinson Design, Jim Lipe Design and Fred Couples Design. Members of the Orange County California’s Golf Coast include, Coyote Hills Golf Course, Oak Creek Golf Club, Strawberry Farms Golf Club, Tijeras Creek Golf Club, Monarch Beach Golf Links and Talega of San Clemente.
Due to its warm climate, Newport Beach serves as a frequent destination for tennis buffs. They can play at any of the many private and public tennis courts located throughout the region, and The Palisades Newport Beach & Marriott Hotel & Tennis Club draws thousands of fans to its many professional tennis tournaments. The Newport Beach Tennis Club offers 19 champion courts with a professional staff, full service restaurant and social activities.
