Newport Beach: Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, United States 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Santa Ana. As of January 1, 2009, the population was 86,252. The current OMB metropolitan designation for Newport Beach lies within the Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine area. The city is currently one of the wealthiest communities in the United States and has even been ranked first in some categories.


Attractions include beaches on the Balboa Peninsula (featuring body-boarding hot-spot The Wedge), Corona del Mar State Beach and Crystal Cove State Park, to the south.


The Catalina Flyer, a giant 500 passenger catamaran, provides daily transportation from the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach to Avalon, California located on Santa Catalina Island. The historic Balboa Pavilion, established in 1906, is Newport Beach's most famous landmark.


The Orange County Museum of Art is a museum that exhibits modern and contemporary art, with emphasis on the work of California artists.


Balboa Island is an artificial island in Newport Harbor that was dredged and filled right before World War I. The Balboa Fun Zone is home to the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum.


The Pelican Hill area has two golf courses, both of which were recently reopened after extensive remodeling and the construction of a new hotel and clubhouse.


The city has figured into several television shows and movies.


The popular TV show The O.C. was based on the fictional lives of people living in Newport Beach.


MTV replaced its hit teen-reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County with a new show, Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County, on August 15, 2007. Only the cast and location changed in the new series, based on the lives of high school students living in Newport Beach.


The TV series "Arrested Development" was set in Orange County and would often feature scenes at Newport Beach.


Several scenes from the Disney Channel movie The Thirteenth Year were filmed at the Balboa Pavilion in 1999.


The pop rock band Cute Is What We Aim For has a song titled Newport Living.


Travel from the east to the west side of the city - or the north end to the south end - and you will get a flavor of the distinct residential and commercial areas that combine to make the City of Newport Beach one of the most attractive communities on the west coast. Newport Beach is known for its “villages”, each with its own distinct character and appearance. They include:



Balboa Peninsula: The Peninsula is a three-mile stretch bordered by Newport Harbor on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It’s famous for “the Wedge,” arguably one of the best bodysurfing sites in the world and the Ocean Front Walk, one of the region’s most popular boardwalks. At the foot of Newport Pier lies the historic McFadden Square, named for the family that helped found the city and the Dory Fishing Fleet, where local fisherman bring in fresh seafood daily. Approximately one mile south of the Newport Pier is the Balboa, another of the city’s villages. Balboa includes the Balboa Pier, the Balboa Fun Zone, and the historic Balboa Pavilion. Catch the Balboa Ferry from here for the short ride over to Balboa Island.


Lido Marina Village: Lido Marina Village is a charming shopping area with waterfront dining, stores, the historic Lido Theater, and dynamic views of the harbor. Just over the bridge sits Lido Isle, a residential neighborhood located on one of the seven islands of Newport Harbor. The Cannery, a former fish canning operation, still stands nearby.


Mariner’s Mile: This section of Coast Highway is located between the Arches Interchange (where Coast Highway meets Newport Boulevard) and Dover Drive. It contains yacht brokerages, marine supply stores, high-end automobile dealerships, a mix of retail and restaurants, and the beautiful Balboa Bay Club & Resort.


Balboa Island: The area known as Balboa Island is actually comprised of three islands - Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island and Collins Island. The main street, Marine Avenue, is lined with quaint shops, art galleries and restaurants. “The Island” is known for the great walking path that circles its perimeter, the annual Balboa Island Parade, its annual Art Walk, and, of course, the legendary Balboa Bar - vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate and assorted toppings.


Corona Del Mar: Corona Del Mar, or the Crown of the Sea, is home to the beautiful Corona Del Mar State Beach and the Robert E. Badham Marine Conservation Area. Lookout and Inspiration Points offer scenic views of the ocean and the entrance to Newport Harbor. Just a few blocks inland is the “downtown” area of the village, where shops, boutiques and restaurants border both sides of Coast Highway and the 2.2-acre Sherman Library and Gardens is known as a “horticultural retreat.”


Newport Center / Fashion Island: Newport Center contains high- and mid-rise office and residential buildings, hotels and Fashion Island, one of the most exclusive shopping and dining destinations in Southern California.


Newport Coast: Newport Coast was annexed into the City of Newport Beach in 2002. Newer homes, upscale hotels and the Pelican Hill Golf Course line the hillsides and offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The historic Crystal Cove State Park, tucked between Coast Highway and the ocean, includes three miles of coastline and its historic district contains more than a dozen restored 1930s-era vacation cottages that can be rented year-round.


The Islands of Newport Harbor: Another unique feature of Newport Beach are the eight islands located in Newport Harbor. Bay Island, Collins Island, Harbor Island, Lido Isle, Linda Isle, Little Balboa Island, and Newport Island are strictly residential areas. Balboa Island has residential and some small commercial areas.