Balboa Beach

Located south of the Newport Pier, Balboa Beach is a 3-mile long beach that attracts surfers, tourists, and locals alike. Also known as “The Peninsula,” this spot’s highlight is its wooden pier that stretches 920 feet into the ocean. There are numerous amenities at this location, including public restrooms, fire pits, playgrounds, and lifeguards. This beach also has a ferry service that takes you to Balboa Island, a harborside community famous for their light decorations during the holiday season.

Balboa Beach is very popular among surfers, and is close to a spot called The Wedge, where waves can reach up to 30 feet. This location is also crowded with boogie boarders and casual swimmers as well, as the northern end of the beach has much calmer waters. If you don’t want to get wet, go check out the pier, where you can catch a glimpse of what local fishermen are reeling in. Feel free to bring your dog as well in the evening, as this beach allows leashed dogs after 4:30pm.

Balboa Beach is very popular among surfers, and is close to a spot called The Wedge, where waves can reach up to 30 feet. This location is also crowded with boogie boarders and casual swimmers as well, as the northern end of the beach has much calmer waters. If you don’t want to get wet, go check out the pier, where you can catch a glimpse of what local fishermen are reeling in. Feel free to bring your dog as well in the evening, as this beach allows leashed dogs after 4:30pm.

If you get hungry, there is an abundance of nearby restaurants you can visit. Baja Sharkeez – Newport Beach is a modestly-priced popular Mexican excellent restaurant and sports bar that serves delicious Mexican dishes displaying culinary influences from the Baja California peninsula including burritos, fish tacos, and enchiladas – it also serves a variety of other dishes including sandwiches, burgers, fries, salads, and Mexican-style breakfast dishes, and amazing margaritas – and is a great place to watch your favorite game. Nice Guys is a 100% vegan restaurant with a delicious plant-based charbroiled burger menu that is just a seven-minute drive from the beach. Another excellent nearby option is Bear Flag Fish Company, a local favorite that serves signature poke bowls with fresh Ahi tuna, salmon, or octopus. You can also take a 10-minute drive to Waterline, a boutique white-tablecloth steak and seafood restaurant that offers fantastic terrace seating with ocean views.

If you need a place to stay, the Balboa Bay Resort is an upscale 4-Star resort that features amenities such as an outdoor pool, hip gastropub, and indoor fitness center. You can also take a five-minute drive to the Holiday Inn Express, a casual family-friendly lodging option with contemporary rooms and complimentary breakfast service. The Balboa Bay is a two-minute walk from the pier and beach and the rooms have a sundeck that offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.