Newport Beach

Newport Beach is a city famous for its lavish lifestyle and beautiful surroundings. Television enthusiasts will recognize the resemblance to the show The O.C., and not just by virtue of its location in Orange County, California. The American city has its share of "beautiful people" often with wealth to spare. Yet it's very possible to enjoy life in Newport Beach amongst the millionaires on a relatively low budget.

By plane

 * John Wayne Airport is located on the border of Newport Beach, Irvine, and Santa Ana.
 * If you are arriving at Los Angeles International Airport or Long Beach, take the I-405 freeway south to the 73 freeway south.

By rail
Metrolink and Amtrak serve Santa Ana, Tustin (Metrolink only), and Irvine. A taxi would probably be the most convenient option. Local OCTA bus routes service Amtrak/Metrolink stations at certain times. Consult the OCTA website for more information.

By car
Take CA Highway 1 or the I-405 freeway to the 55 or 73 freeway south. The former will take you to West Newport and the latter to the east side of the Newport Bay.

Get around
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) serves the Newport Beach area. The OCTA Newport Transportation Center is just east of Fashion Island in Newport Beach; here OCTA Routes 1, 55, 57, 75, 76 and 79 converge for a transfer point. Routes 1, 47 and 71 serve the beaches (over a mile away from here) and the Balboa Peninsula; Route 76 serve the John Wayne Airport SNA (about 6 miles from here).

See
True to its name, any visit to Newport Beach is incomplete without a trip to the beach. The city is nestled on the Pacific Ocean and is a favorite among surfers. The Wedge, at the end of the Balboa Peninsula, is famed for its challenging surf, but Newport's miles of wide beaches offer plenty of room for everyone, except on the busiest summer weekends. There is a concrete boardwalk running along the beach from the east of the Balboa pier to west of the Newport pier.



Connect
The area code for all of Newport Beach is 949.

Go next

 * Catalina Island - For most of the year, there is daily boat service to Catalina on the Catalina Flyer, located on the Balboa Peninsula. Trip takes about an hour, and can frequently be rough.  Remember to bring the Dramamine!
 * While in Orange County, be sure to visit Disneyland in Anaheim or Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park.
 * Don't have a car? Don't have a cow. You can reach Los Angeles or San Diego by train from Irvine or Santa Ana.