Next weekend, I've got soccer tournament duty in Newport Beach. My 14-year-old daughter & I will be flying from San Jose into SNA late morning, but the games don't begin until the next day. Does anyone have suggestions as to the best way to eat up that time w/something interesting or fun?

I've never spent any time in Orange County (other than Disneyland years ago), but I believe Balboa Island & San Juan Capistrano are relatively close. Anything else?

Also, any thoughts to shopping or restaurants a group of teen girls might enjoy between games and in the evenings?

Thanks in advance.

If you enjoy the beach, I would head out to Huntington Beach instead of Newport. Balboa Island gets pretty heavy traffic on weekends.

For a shopping/eating place close to Santa Ana -- you can't beat "The Block at Orange" for teens. It bills itself as the "hippest" mall around. Google it, and see if the store & restaurant directory appeals to your daughter and friends. I think you'll find something for everyone.

Of course,there's always South Coast Plaza for those teens with really large baby-sitting income $$$

San Juan Capistrano is a bit of a drive south. The mission there is beautiful and interesting.

Balboa Island is IN Newport Beach; SJC is maybe 30 minutes down PCH. Newport is pretty cool in and of itself; Corona del Mar is a sweet little village just south of the "main drag" of Newport, full of shops and cafés and such. In Newport itself you can spend a high-rolling afternoon of Power Shopping at Fashion Island (in Newport Center). Laguna Beach is about 10-15 minutes south of Newport, and has all sorts of galleries, shops and eateries. Huntington Beach is 10 minutes north of Newport, and offers more possibilities.

At Fashion Island you'll find the usual chains (California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, I think there's a Wolfgang Puck place too), and there are good places throughout the city. Where will you be staying in NB?

Thanks for all the tips & suggestions, especially re: timing (which means so much more than just a mileage map). We're staying near the airport on East MacArthur. Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach sound like possibilities that would interest me. For the girls, I'll do a search for both Block at Orange and Fashion Island. (I'm half-hoping they don't do well in the tourny so we can spend more time doing other stuff -- but no, you didn't hear me say that.)

Don't rule out South Coast Plaza-- which is only a couple of miles up the 405 from SNA in Costa Mesa. Huge mall, very high-end-- think Rodeo Drive indoors. Fashion Island is outdoors and has less stores, but its main anchor department stores are Bllomingdale's and Neiman Marcus. Bring credit cards with high limits for both places. The Block is a bit downmarket, but has cool stores for the young 'uns.

Laguna is the prettiest place to play, imo, and you could spend all afternoon there strolling the village, having lunch, walking along the beach. The Festival of the Arts is going on now, so this is peak tourist time here and it will be busy. But, once you find a place to park, you'll enjoy. For good people watching and food, check out these places on the Coast Highway that open to the street: Javier's (Mexican), Cabana, Partner's Bistro, (the adjoining shady Peppertree Lane is especially quaint). The chocolate shop there makes great chocolate-covered strawberries! Over on Cliff drive, Las Brisas' deck has wonderful views, great place for drinks and Mexican small plates. Good walking & beach access along there--take the stairs down to the beach, beautiful!

In Newport, Fashion Island is just off McArthur--my daughter & I especially enjoy shopping Anthropologie, L'occitane (French soaps & perfumes), Forever 21 (her), Z Gallerie.

For lunch, Wolfgang Puck is gone, but the brand new R&D Cafe for sandwiches & salads is getting raves, and the long-awaited Rouge bistro opens today!

Across from Rouge, don't miss Traditional Jewelers, So. Cal.'s finest & most beautiful jewelry store. Check out their hand-painted ceiling of Michangelo's Sistine Chapel work, The Face of God and look closely at the face--it might surprise you. Fab designer jewelry: Cartier, Bulgari, Chopard, Yurman, all there. You may not need to go to South Coast Plaza .

Another great place for the girls to have fun, especially in the evening is the Irvine Spectrum, at the junction of the 405 & the 5 freeways, about 7 freeway miles from John Wayne airport. At night it's all lit up with neon lights, and they have a HUGE ferris wheel. From the top you can see for miles and miles in all directions. The usual cheescake factory there too and lots of interesting shops and cafes for teens and moms. Have fun!