Has anyone stayed there recently? Any good restaurants? I'll be there on July 4th weekend.

I think you will be very happy with your choice. The villas are large,attractive and equipped with everything you will need. As for restaurants you have many choices. You can either drive to the Fashion Island area. You will have your pick between fine dining and everything else. You could also drive to Laguna Beach--which is about a 10 minute drive away. Plenty choices their also.

Very nice property. Large, new spacious rooms. Please note that it is not on the beach, but on a hill overlooking the ocean.

We had massages at the spa there which were very good.

We had a good, quiet meal (anniversary dinner) with a beautiful view at the restaurant at the Pelican Hill Golf Club (just a few miles down the street). Not sure what the name of it is. It's more geared for adults, not a kid place though.

Yes, lvk is right, The Grill at Pelican Hill is very good and an excellent suggestion for you. Owned and operated by the Four Seasons, so the food and service are top-notch. Panoramic views of the golf course, ocean and Catalina inside or on the terrace. Their week-end/holiday brunches are wonderful, but popular--call right away for availability, they might already be booked. Dinner at sunset is also very nice.

Newport Coast is between Laguna to the south and Corona del Mar to the north, so in Laguna my favorites are Splashes, right on the water, yet the food's good (in the Surf & Sand Hotel), across the street is French 75, a very charming little bistro and champagne bar in an historic Laguna cottage and Cafe Zoolu, a tiny box of a restaurant with remarably good food. Studio at Montage Hotel is outstanding, but probably fully booked by now. Check out the hotel anyway, it's beautiful and beachside Treasure Island Park is amazing.

In Corona del Mar, I like The Bungalow (fab prime steaks), the old-school, but still very good Five Crowns, and Bayside (actually next door in Newport overlooking Balboa Island). Have a great holiday!

thanks very much. Are any places family friendly since there's 6+ with 2 kids?

Is the Marriott crowded? that was one of my concerns given I heard it's suppose to be 600 + condos when its finally finished.

Is it finally finished? We stayed there last summer and they neglected to tell us it was under construction - very noisy to say the least and the smell of tar was nasty. The pool is very nice, but there is no access to the beach - or at least there wasn't one last year. The units are however, nicely appointed. We did head down early to the pool to pick out "our" spot, but it wasn't any more or less crowded than any other resort facility. The pool bar and concession stand was also convenient.

Not too far away there is Fashion Island and inside you will find a number of appropriate eateries for young children - the Cheesecake Factory being one of them. You could certainly have a very, very long wait as this is a popular place. My advice would be to go early. You can even pick up a beeper, leave a member of your party behind and go off and shop for a bit while you wait.
Have a great time!

Tarocake,
I didn't know there were children when I made my recommendations to you, but actually both the Grill at Pelican Hill and the more casual Cafe downstairs can be family-friendly. The Cafe has a more casual mood and menu (soups, salads, hamburgers, etc.) and the Grill is more sophisticated, ambiance & foodwise. So depending upon your children's ages and food preferences, one of these would work and they both have great views. Dress is upscale casual.

I've seen a few children at Splashes too--it's in a hotel, so there are families eating there. Try to get a table outside, the kids (and you) will love being just above the waves on the beach.

Across the street from Crystal Cove State Park (very near the villas and a beautiful place to visit)is the Crystal Cove Promenade. The baked goods at Pacific Whey Bakery are the largest and tastiest-looking things you can imagine. The kids might like that and they also serve a pretty good breakfast and lunch. But go next door for your coffee at Starbuck's, it's much better there! Some interesting shops to brouse there, too.

Also for fun in that area, visit the Shake Shack on the bluff overlooking the ocean at Crystal Cove, a landmark little take-out place that's famous for it's date shakes, but they make lots of other varieties too.