When looking for a perfect place to do a quick staycation near LA, there are few choices better than the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. Its the perfect destination where you really feel like you’re on a great destination vacation but its only about an hour drive from Los Angeles!
Balboa in Newport Beach offer gorgeous beaches, upscale and boutique shopping, fine dining, and also plenty of comfortable, and relaxing places to stay. All this makes its an excellent quick gateway right by the water.
In this post, we collected for you the best places to stay, shop, and eat while you visit. We also have plenty of activities and entertainment suggestions to make your trip to Balboa in Newport one you wont soon forget!
1 – Stay – Balboa Bay Resort
Description:
Hey this is vacation right? Might as well go all the way and pamper yourself for an overnight trip at a waterfront retreat. Here you can sit back and relax while taking in the gorgeous views from one of this hotel’s beautiful and comfortable suites. Balboa Bay Resort also has a great pool, hot tub and pool side service.
Balboa Bay Resort offers great pampering services for its guests including a Spa with 9 treatment rooms, signature massages and skin treatments. Also you can find steam rooms and saunas and the fitness studio is fully equipped with all your favorite workout gear.
The onsite food choices are great as well and the restaurant has gorgeous views (you can find that suggestion below in this article). If you want food brought to you make sure to take advantage of the pool and room services that are also available.
For access to some fun, adventurous activities, like driving your own Duffy boat, or a picnic at the beach with transportation and lunch included, all you have to do is make arrangements with their concierge service, which is top notch. At the Balboa Bay Resort you not only have it all right there at the resort you are close to everything else in Balboa when you want to step out and explore.
Location: 1221 WEST COAST HWYNEWPORT BEACH, CA 92663
Pic Credit: @balboabayresort
2 – Play – Balboa Fun Zone
Description:
The Balboa Fun Zone is exactly that, an area filled with entertainment and fun for the entire family. Come on over to this old school style carnival/arcade that has kept all its original charm from when it first opened back in 1936! You can spend most of a day there doing fun activities for you and your family all with great water views.
At the Balboa Fun Zone one of the most popular attractions is the Ferris wheel. Its pretty small but it really moves fast and you get awesome views of the Fun Zone and the whole Bay when you reach the top. Its right next to a really old school arcade that is kind of dated but still has plenty of charm.
When its time to eat you will find plenty of nearby restaurants offering plenty of options like, BBQ, oyster bars and seafood. For more causal bites you can also find Mexican food, pizza, treats and other casual bites available.
If you want to actually get on the water there are plenty of options there as well including Harbor cruises, parasailing, whale watch, and boat rentals. But we highly recommend you try the famous boat ferry. Its only a 5 minute ride and only fits 3 cars at a time but it takes you from the Peninsula side, (where the Fun Zone is) over to Balboa Island side. Its over quick but a rich part of the charming history of this area. You can of course drive over but we recommend trying the ferry at least once for the experience.
Besides all the fun activities you can find anytime, there are also regularly scheduled special events. For example starting in May Balboa Fun Zone brings us Makers in the Zone. This is a fun market with local artists and crafts that will also include live music, drinks and local vendors.
The Fun Zone is a must visit when on the Balboa Peninsula!
Location: 600 E Bay Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92661
PIC Credit@yolotravelsolo
3 – Shop – Fashion Island
Description:
Fashion Island is a shopping experience. One of the most well known places to shop in Orange County the name ‘Island’ suits it well as it feels like you are shopping around in a beautiful remote resort somewhere.
This gorgeous outdoor mall is home to 180+ stores, carrying mostly luxury but also some more affordable stuff as well as trendy and casual choices. There are tons of restaurants offering fine menus including Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Also you can find plenty more low key eateries offering casual yummy bites.
The resort style mall offers relaxing, sophisticated surroundings, and water features to make your shopping experience a very pleasant one.
Before you leave, remember to take a pic by the Koi Pond, this popular spot is located outside of Atrium Court right in the center of the mall.
Location: 401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
PIC Credit: @fashionisland
4 – Eat – A+O Restaurant
Description:
If you are looking for an eye catching spot to dine and take great pics, The Balboa Bay Resort offers that and more. Their dining venues include A+O Restaurant Bar and Lighthouse room which serves an epic seafood brunch every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.
If you love sunset pictures by the water with your dinner we highly encourage you to come visit A+O Restaurant and bar and get seated on the gorgeous outdoor patio at the right time. There you’re right next to the bay and just feet away from all these luxury yachts making for perfect pictures to capture the special moment as the sun goes down over the water.
The menu here is casual California cuisine and some of their most popular dishes include the sea bass and the grilled flat iron steak. Also, there is an All Day menu offering amazing bites, and a sushi and sake menu available on weekends.
Their bar features an ample list of bottles as well as crafted cocktails. Make sure to try the Summer Smash or a Mr. Pablo, Yum! So tasty.
This is a beautiful waterfront restaurant so you can expect gorgeous views of the marina, making it a perfect choice for celebrating special occasions.
Location: 1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663
PIC Credit: @aorestaurantandbar
5 – Drink – Topside Rooftop Deck
Description:
Newport has a rooftop bar? Yes it does! You don’t hear about rooftop bars in Newport Beach often because there is only one! Topside is a very sophisticated and trendy looking bar, and it’s the only rooftop in Newport Beach. It features relaxing and beautiful views of the Harbor and the beach and located at the beautiful Lido House.
Early evening seems like the perfect time to hit this bar. Get comfortable and share the gorgeous sunset with your partner or friends, and grab a small bite from the bar’s yummy menu. We recommend the sliders or the swordfish tacos.
You can get right into happy hour with all the buzz inducing choices available here, with a full bar of Gin, Vodka, Whiskey, Scotch and Tequila. Wine and Champagne also available and of course there is also a generous list of great hand crafted cocktails like their signature Topside Margarita.
Location: 3300 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663
PIC Credit: @lido_house
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!