The city has many exotic beaches and tourist attractions to explore, and it lives up to its name- of being one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in whole California. Even for a ride around the city, there is no shortage of good quality Orange County limo service providers. It is on you to decide where to go and which of the lavish OC limos to select for your tour through the heart of the city. This article will assist you in doing that. Read it through.

Places to visit on a Newport Beach Limo tour

There are lot many places to visit, and lot many exciting activities to participate in, but I am going to suggest only those places that will complement your ride-the luxurious Orange County limo.

Balboa Peninsula

Balboa Peninsula has derived its name from Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa. This beautiful subsection of Newport Beach city stretches across 3 miles. Balboa is mainly known for its welcoming nature and The Wedge, body-boarding hot-spot. It also has one of the world’s largest small-yacht harbors, and two scenic piers: Newport and Balboa Piers, which make the peninsula one of the best urban beaches in the United States.

Other places to visit in Balboa Peninsula

You must include Balboa Fun Zone, Balboa Inn, Balboa Pavilion, and Balboa Theater in your travel plan. You can also take a ride through the heart of peninsula using Balboa Island Ferry service. And if you love seafood then The Crab Cooker is a must-visit place for you.

The Orange County Museum of Art

For a 20th century art lover, this is a must-visit place. It has more than 2,500 modern and contemporary arts and objects on display. It includes traditional paintings, photographs, and sculptures. The prime focus of this museum is to showcase works of Californian artists. The museum also hosts monthly events where artists share their experience and talk about their works. Some events also focus on engaging young kids through various activities.

There are several other exotic locations in the city, which is worth exploring, and a good Newport Beach limo service provider knows where all to take you. You will be given a chauffeur who knows in and out of the neighborhood to take you around the city.

Word of caution

There are several not-so-trustworthy Orange County limo companies with unreliable fleet. You must cross check all the OC limos that you have shortlisted before committing to one.

Andrew Welkinson reviews and writes about Orange County Limo companies, travel and tourism. When renting Newport Beach Limo services do your homework before you rent your limo in OC.

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Newport Harbor is in the lower section of Newport Bay in Newport Beach, California. It is about 4 miles long, running parallel to the Balboa Peninsula and the ocean. The harbor is filled with everything from pedal boats to large ocean vessels. There are over 9000 boats berthed here.

Within Newport Beach Harbor there are 7 islands, mostly filled with lovely houses and flowery porches. The boater can leisurely take a self-guided tour of these homes from the water.

On the other side of PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) the Newport Back Bay and Upper Bay extend well inland.

THE ISLANDS IN NEWPORT BEACH HARBOR

The biggest island is Balboa, accessible by bridge from Jamboree Road and Pacific Coast Highway, or by car ferry from the Balboa Peninsula near the Balboa Fun Zone. This charming little beach community has a scenic walkway that encircles the island, with the picturesque homes on one side and small sandy beaches and boating slips on the waterside. Boutique shops, restaurants, and two stands famous for their balboa bars and frozen bananas (both dipped in chocolate and rolled in the topping of your choice) line Marine Avenue.

The other islands consist of Lido Island, Little Balboa Island, Linda Isle, Collins Island, Harbor Island and Bay Island.

The other major island for visitors is Lido Island. Here you’ll find Lido Marina Village, with shops, art galleries, boutiques and boardwalk cafes.

THE BALBOA FUN ZONE

This historic little area on the peninsula side of the bay offers a small Ferris wheel, carousel, arcade and even bungee jumping. The Balboa Pavilion, which used to be a Big Band showcase is a restored local landmark dating from 1905. Today it houses special events and wedding functions. Catalina boats leave from here daily (less in winter). Call 800-830-7744 or 949-673-5245.

BOATER’S INFORMATION

Whether you are renting a boat or visiting with your own yacht, the following information may be of use. The speed limit within the harbor is 5 m.p.h.. Fuel docks can be found next to both ferry landings on either side of the bay. A boating launch ramp is located at in the Back Bay.

There is a Harbor Department guest anchorage dock near the Harbor Patrol and Coast Guard Base. For marine weather updates, including surf and water reports, call 949-673-3371.

DINING AROUND THE HARBOR

For dining in Newport Beach Harbor, there are several restaurants on Lido Island. More can be found near the ferry landing on the Balboa Peninsula. Balboa Island has restaurants on Marine Ave. (which are not on the water). For waterfront restaurants with outstanding views, check out the area of Pacific Coast Highway that lines the inland side of the harbor. This section is sometimes referred to as Mariner’s Mile.

NEWPORT HARBOR NAUTICAL MUSEUM

Located in the Balboa Marina off of Pacific Coast Highway, the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum is located on a riverboat. It features artwork and exhibits, which pertain to all things maritime. Many of the exhibits are interactive and there is a touch tank. They also have hundreds of ship models to peruse.

The tall ship Lynx docks here and gives tours as well. The museum’s address is 151 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach. There is a store and restaurant to enjoy after your visit. Their phone number is 949-673-3377

Description: Newport Beach Harbor. Discover all the scenic pleasures Newport Beach Harbor has to offer, whether from a boat on the water or strolling around Balboa Island or the peninsula.

CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

Every December, Newport Beach Harbor hosts a Christmas Parade of Lights. This is a great family event. Boaters and homeowners alike go all out in decorating their houses and/or boats. Viewers stroll or sit along the bay front on Balboa Island, enjoying the show of passing lights reflecting off the water.

Special tip: you can grab a hot cocoa or café mocha at the local Starbucks on Marine Avenue to keep your hands and innards warm, as December nights can be quite cool by the bay. For more information, call 949-494-3030.

A vacation in Newport Beach means more than just the beach; you have the Newport Beach Harbor to enjoy as well.

Laura Eggers operates the website http://www.southern-california-beaches-vacation-guide.com, which offers visitors a plethora of information about the different beach areas to help with planning their beach vacation in sunny Southern California.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Eggers

Newport Beach is a small Pacific Coast city nestled between the Balboa peninsula and Balboa Island. About forty miles to the southeast is Hollywood that has big names in entertainment coming for the sunny climate. Located in Orange County, Newport Beach borders Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Irvine. A short drive away from Anaheim, the city is within 50 miles of Los Angeles. With an estimated 82,400 citizens, the population has grown 17% since the 2000 U.S. Census. The median age of residents at 41.7 years, about five years older than the U.S. average. Children under five make up just 4.6% of the city’s population; 16.8% of the people are 65 and older. Well above the percentage for California is the White Non-Hispanic citizenry that makes up 88% of the population. The percentage of African-Americans living in Newport Beach is less than a half percent. Hispanic residents made up 4.7% of the populous.

Newport Beach is in the top 1% of the country for well-paid single men and women and for its family and household income. The average household in 2005 pulled in $97,428 of annual income, while families were earning $127,698 per year. The national average for family income was $55,832, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Newport Beach easily out earned the nearby communities of Irvine ($85,624) and Laguna Beach ($100,778). At 3%, unemployment was well below the state average, while job growth rose by over 10% from 2000 to 2005. Two communities in Newport Beach are home to some of the wealthiest people in California. Newport Coast and San Joaquin Hills were annexed by the city since 2001. Newport Coast is a master-planned community developed by the Irvine Company and home to many of the wealthy and famous. Heading to Newport Beach for real estate will require a very big wallet. Some of the priciest homes in the country continue to soar in value. The average city home value increased from $708,000 in 2000 to $1.36 million in 2005.

Newport Beach residents have enjoyed an extremely low risk of either personal or property crime. Few college students live in the city, but within 15 miles over 175,000 students are enrolled at various colleges offering an Associate’s degree or higher. Among the institutions for higher education is University of Phoenix-Southern California with 18,075 full-time students, California State University-Fullerton with 22,345, and the University of California-Irvine has 19,533 enrolled. Newport Beach residents come well educated with 58.5% holding a Bachelor’s degree, including 96.7% who graduated from high school. Even 21.4% of residents had a graduate or professional degree.

The climate in Newport Beach includes lots of sunshine and mild to warm weather yearlong. January temperatures average 67 degrees for a high, 44 is the average low. In July, the average high reaches 77 degrees. Precipitation is light, making for just 12.5 inches of rain the annual average. People heading to Newport Beach will find a crowded harbor full of boats, streets busy with shoppers, and over six miles of beaches filled with surfers and swimmers. Over 100 public golf courses can be found within a half-hour drive. Ferries transport pedestrians, cars, and bikes across the harbor channel between Balboa Island and the peninsula. John Wayne Airport in neighboring Santa Ana offers air travel to area residents. The seaside community is about 14 miles southeast of Disneyland.

Over the years, Newport Beach has been home to many of the rich & famous. From the early days of Hollywood, celebrity residents included John Wayne, Shirley Temple, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn and George Burns. More recently, the list included Michelle Pfeiffer, Bo Derrick, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dennis Rodman, and even former U.S. President Richard Nixon before he moved to San Clemente. Other home owners include Kobe Bryant, Nicolas Cage, Gwen Stefani, and Vanna White.

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With all of the new shipping activities, more investors became interested in the area. By 1905, the Pacific Electric Railroad had connected Newport Beach to Los Angeles. With the advent of the trains, many families began arriving in Newport Beach to camp and enjoy the area. As a result, soon small hotels and cottages were built to keep up with the need for visitor facilities. In 1906, the scattered areas of West Newport, Balboa Island, Lido Isle and the peninsula were incorporated into the city of Newport Beach. Soon parts of Newport Heights and Corona del Mar were annexed and the city increased its boundaries again.

During World War II, Newport Beach became an area for the Navy to build and repair its ships. With the influx of servicemen, the local business continued to prosper. By the end of the war, quite a few of the servicemen and servicewomen liked the area and decided to stay. Unfortunately this triggered a real estate boom and prices increased as a result. With the increased demand for housing, many of the local seasonal rentals changed into homes that were occupied year-round. This somewhat changed the area’s focus from a seasonal destination to a place where people lived year-round.

With the Santa Ana Freeway finished in the 1950s, it was even easier to get to Newport Beach. Housing developments spread quickly and the areas around Newport Beach, including the hills and nearby mesas, soon became homes to thousands. Gradually the focus of the area changed again, away from the fishing industry. Today the area is home to manufacturing, but still owes a lot of its success to its beaches. That is primarily what still attracts visitors today.

Even today, the original reason people wanted to visit Newport Beach, namely the beaches surrounding it, still attract people today. There are national parks and many sites to see in the area. Today the city would be unrecognizable to the early settlers. Newport Beach is a thriving metropolis that continues to grow and attract visitors from around the world to its beaches and sights.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Newport Beach [http://newport-beach-guide.com]

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When planning to visit this place, you can rent a condominium or a villa, stay in an affordable motel, and park your RV at the Newport Dunes Resort and Marina. You can also stay in a hotel with an average rating or spoil yourself and stay in a magnificence hotel such as the Balboa Bay Club and Resort.

When at the Newport Beach, you can dine in any of the wonderful restaurants such as the Newport Landing Restaurant. This is situated on a bay witnessing the remarkable Balboa Ferry with a great view of the Harbor of Newport, Balboa Island and the lovely Saddleback. You can also experience the food of the Ritz and Garden, The Sol Restaurant, the Woody’s Wharf or the Harbor side Restaurant and Grand Ballroom. These are only some of the fine restaurants and diners located in the Newport Beach from which you can enjoy a great food away from home.

While on the place, you better spend a wonderful time at the tidy sandy beaches, sail on the big smooth water harbor while at the same time witnessing the huge yachts and million-dollar-priced houses, rent a sport fishing vessel, and rent a boat. You can also have a party in the rented boat or otherwise perform your wedding on the chartered boat. You can also take a wonderful ride in a gondola and visit the Orange County Museum.

Gift and souvenir stores, art galleries and cafes are also swarming in the Balboa Island. It would also be a great idea to visit the walkway stores and diners at the pier of Newport, view or take a dip at the Pirates Cove. Horseback riding, hiking, surfing, scuba diving at the park of the Crystal Cove State would also be a great choice. You should not miss a joyful ride and visit the Catalina Island.

If these activities are not enough for you and you wanted to experience more, visit the Disneyland just located near the Newport Beach or the Knott’s Berry Farm and some of the golf courses to make your vacation wonderful and memorable.

Khieng ‘Ken’ Chho – Newport Beach [http://newportbeach.1w3b.com]

For related articles and other resources, visit Ken’s website: [http://newportbeach.1w3b.com]

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Many famous celebrities frequent this place, if not call it home. But celebrity or not, you can still explore Newport Beach and its villages for a luxurious and adventurous experience.

Nature Trip

Environmental Nature Center

Go exploring the more than 2 acres of wildlife habitat with trail guides as you discover California’s unique flora and fauna. Admission is free.

Upper Newport Bay

A free two-hour tour is available every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. It starts at 9 in the morning from Shellmaker Island. You can explore the areas that are home to more than 200 species of birds and wildlife. You can also avail of canoe tours and campfire activities for the family.

Culture and the Arts

City Hall Art Gallery

Visit Newport Blvd from between 9 am to 4 pm from Mondays to Fridays and drop by the City Hall Art Gallery to see works by exhibits of paintings, sculpture and photography by homegrown artists.

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum

The museum is set in the Pride of Newport, measuring 190 feet. It features the traditional and local sea-faring culture of the region. Galleries focus on several themes ranging from the recreational to commercial. The museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission fees for adults are $4, while for children are $1.

Newport Theater Arts Center

2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach, CA; (949) 631-0288; Call for Schedule:
The local community theater features veteran and new actors. Swing by Cliff Drive and look for the Theatre on the Cliff for schedules of current plays and upcoming shows.

Don’t confine yourself to going around just the Newport Beach proper. Be adventurous and take a trip to its outlying villages.

Balboa Island

You could spend a day walking along Marine Avenue just browsing more than 70 shops, galleries and restaurants. Specialty boutiques and sidewalk cafes also add flavor to the area. To get there, either take a ferry from Balboa Peninsula or drive down Jamboree Road.

Balboa Peninsula

If promenading is your thing, try the Balboa boardwalk where you can bike, skate and/or walk as you take in the sights of Newport Harbor. An amusement park established in the 1930s still stands and is a local, as well as a tourist, favorite. Rides the merry-go-round and Ferris wheel in between trips to shops and restaurants. It also features the Balboa Pavilion, which was an electric railway terminal back in the early 1900s.

Cannery Village

What used to be the hub of commercial fishing with boat yards and canneries (thus the name), this village is now mostly comprised of fine restaurants, vintage shops and a good number of art galleries. For a sampling of the local art, visit Cannery Wharf Park every Sunday to see local artists exhibiting their works towards the afternoon.

Lido Marina

This waterfront village is situated by the Via Oporto. Don’t be fooled by the out-of-the-way location of this enclave by the harbor side. It is home to boutiques, jewelry stores, art museums and galleries, and restaurants by the boardwalk.

Mariner’s Mile

Whatever you speed is, you can take a charter for either sports fishing or dinner cruise. All restaurants and galleries have a strong maritime feel to them owing to their location. You can also take a gondola ride for a romantic tour around the New Port Harbor canals. Find Mariner’s Mile by West Coast Highway and is in between Dover Drive and Newport Boulevard.

McFadden Square

McFadden Square has been famous with chefs and professional seafood buyers since the late 1890s. People would come to get their choice picks of fresh seafood and you can see such activity still go on which starts everyday at 9 in the morning.

There’s a lot Newport can bring to your vacation, whether you are on a luxury spree or on a modest budget. You can experience nature at its best while sampling local crafts as well as some high-class shopping. Whatever your speed, Newport Beach has something for everyone.

Khieng ‘Ken’ Chho – Online Newport Beach [http://newportbeach.1w3b.com] Resources. For more, visit Ken’s website: [http://newportbeach.1w3b.com]

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For more information about the city of Newport Beach, California see http://newportbeach.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to city of Newport Beach, California guides and directories listing information, resources, services, things to do and places to go.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.

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