Harboring A Crush On Newport Beach

Known for its overwhelmingly large number of well-heeled, white Republicans and infamous as the home of the Cohen family on that TV classic - The OC, Newport Beach has a definite rep. But even if you're not a Republican or an OC fan (I'm neither!), this laid-back beach town still makes a great day-trip.



Life revolves around the water in Newport Beach, 50 miles south of LA. On sunny days, beach-goers fan out across the golden sand to soak up rays and swim in the aquamarine water. Boogie boarders and body surfers glide along the rolling waves. The beach here may evoke picturesque Baywatch scenes, but it’s not so different from Huntington to the north or Laguna to the south.



What really makes Newport special is its 4-mile harbor filled with seven man-made islands and over 9,000 vessels, from rowboats to luxury yachts.



Lining the harbor is the historic Balboa Fun Zone. Built in 1936, the Fun Zone lives up to its name with a small ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and an arcade. Sailboats or kayaks can be rented here if you want to take a spin around the harbor.



Across from the Fun Zone is Balboa Island – the biggest of the seven small islands and a Newport must-see. An auto ferry floats pedestrians and up to three cars across the harbor for $1 a pop per pedestrian.



To enjoy this mile-long slice of Americana, take a stroll around Balboa island. The cottage-like houses boast small, carefully-tended gardens. Boat slips line the shoreline. In between these slips, families take advantage of small beach plots to sunbathe, while their kids play in the calm harbor water. A glimpse down the narrow streets shows most houses flying a U.S. or USC flag or both.



Balboa island may seem as unassuming as Mayberry, but this is some of the most expensive real estate outside Manhattan. Besides the golf carts and bikes residents use to get around, there are plenty of pricier rides. Newport is said to have the highest per-capita number of Mercedes-Benzes in the world.



Like a 50s flashback, Marine Ave - the island's main drag - seems like it hasn't changed much over the years. Dad’s and Sugar n’ Spice, a couple doors down from each other, continue their decades-long battle over who rightly lays claim to the original Balboa Bar – a vanilla ice cream bar coated in chocolate and the topping of your choice. So for fairness sake, that means you need to give both a try. Save room for Balboa Candy, also on Marine, which specializes in old-time candies and offers barrels of saltwater taffy in every imaginable flavor.

As for parking, all I can say is good luck. Your best bet is trying to snag a spot in the lot by the Balboa Pier, which is within easy walking distance of the Fun Zone and the auto ferry to Balboa Island.

Directions:
- From the 405 freeway, take Hwy 55
- Hwy 55 will cross Pacific Coast Hwy and change names to Balboa Blvd
- Turn right onto Main St. to the Balboa Beach parking lots