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The Pleasures of Newport Beach Harbor

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:37:14 +0000

The largest small craft harbor in the United States, Newport Beach Harbor in Newport Beach, California is not only picturesque, but also full of recreational boating opportunities, from taking a harbor cruise to renting a kayak. It’s even enjoyable from land, whether strolling around Balboa Island or along the bayside of the peninsula.

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

Experience a Great Vacation in Newport Beach

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:47:54 +0000

Newport Beach houses both the Newport Harbor and the Balboa Island. It is 50 miles away from the City of Los Angeles, 14 miles away from Anaheim’s Disneyland and 30 miles away from the parodies island of Catalina. Newport Beach is a wonderful place to escape anything but still has everything. This is a small place, with an estimated population of about 72,000. This rich city is surrounded by main attractions.

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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Visit Newport Beach California

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:42:24 +0000

Newport Beach, home to Newport Harbor and Balboa Island, is fifty miles from Los Angeles, fourteen miles from Disneyland in Anaheim and thirty miles from Catalina Island. It’s a great place to get away from it all but still have it all. It is a small, population approximately 72,000, affluent city surrounded by major attractions.
Rent a condo or villa, stay at an inexpensive motel, park your RV at the Newport Dunes Resort & Marina, check into a medium priced hotel or pamper yourself at a luxury hotel like the Balboa Bay Club & Resort which shares the same address as the Balboa Bay Club (“The Balboa Bay Club which boasts a star-studded history with a guest register bearing the signatures of luminaries, including John Wayne, Ronald and Nancy Regan, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood and many more.”), Four Seasons, Hyatt Regency, Mariott or the Balboa Inn.
Dine at one of the many excellent restaurants like the Newport Landing Restaurant (“Newport Landing is Newport Beach. Located on the Bay overlooking the historic Balboa Ferry with a panoramic view of Newport Harbor, Balboa Island, Newport Center, and the distant peaks of Saddleback.”), The Ritz Restaurant & Garden (“Synonymous with elegance, gracious service and award-winning cuisine.”), The Sol Restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach (Featuring World Island cuisine from the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico.), Woody’s Wharf (“Live entertainment Friday and Saturday night. Valet parking and quest slips available fo the boaters.”) or The Harborside Restaurant and Grand Ballroom (“Famous for its world-renowned cupola and illuminated by more than 1,400 white lights, the Balboa Pavilion has served as the beacon of Newport Beach for almost a century.”). These are but a few of the fine restaurants in Newport Beach.
Spend some time at the clean sandy beaches, cruise the large smooth water harbor while viewing the large yachts and multi million dollar homes, charter a sport fishing boat, rent a sail boat, have a party or get married on a chartered yacht, take a ride in a gondola, visit the Orange County Museum of Art, visit the many gift shops, art galleries and sidewalk cafes on Balboa Island, visit the boardwalk shops and restaurants at Newport Pier, visit or take a swim at Pirates Cove, which is best known for the filming of Gilligans Island, go hikeing, horseback riding, scuba diving or surfing at Crystal Cove State Park or catch a ride to Catalina Island.
If for some reason you need more to do, close by you will find Disneyland in Anaheim, Knott’s Berry Farm and Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park and golf courses galore.

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.

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