I will be traveling to Newport Beach, CA at the end of February/first of March. Since I am normally "land-locked", and since my company will probably have some planned group activities involving shopping, eating, etc....I would love to have some "down time" at the beach. (Not swimming...just walking, sightseeing, people-watching). I will be staying at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Tennis Club. I read on this forum that my hotel is not terribly close to the beach.

Could anyone please advise on the best plan to get these midwestern toes into some sand? My largest chunk of free time will be on a Sunday afternoon/evening. I do not plan on renting a car. I think I'd rather have more time to relax and take my time, over using up time to travel to another town's beach.

Anyone out there familiar with Newport Beach, who could recommend some nice beach access areas (and the best way to get there from my hotel)?

One of the nicer beaches near your hotel is Corona Del Mar. It is a smaller beach than Newport and is surrounded by bluffs. It is a State Beach so there is a pay parking lot and restrooms. It is not within walking distance. Maybe the hotel can suggest best transportation, since it is in So Cal there is no decent public transportation. If you do wind up with wheels, Laguna Beach is a short drive from Newport and it has a beautiful beach and lots of shops, galleries and restraunts. Bring a jacket, we are having a chilly winter just like the rest of the US..well not just like, but colder than usual!!

what is the best beach hotel in the area?

bodi,

in Huntington Beach, there is the Waterfront Hilton Resort (PCH needs to be crossed). Also the new Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach (I think I recall them having a bridge across PCH).
In Laguna Beach, there is the Surf and Sand.

From the Marriott it is an easy walk (all down hill...but of course all uphill coming back) to the beach. You will pass thru Balboa Island which is a delight place with quaint shops.

Chances are that there will be some sun during the day, so it should be nice.

If you really want to stay right on the beach, try the Balboa Bay Club. Although it is a private Club they do rent rooms to the public and have other public facilities including the beach. It is a beautiful place.

The Marriott Hotel & Tennis Club is being torn down in September to build a complete new and "they say" and even better hotel. After September it will be unavailable for about one year.

I'm curious. You say:
"You will pass thru Balboa Island which is a delight place with quaint shops. "
This may sound stupid, but is Balboa Island really an island, or just a cute name for an area? I'm just wondering how I would "pass through it", on my walk to the beach from the Marriott.

My company is having a seminar at the Marriott, so staying somewhere else would be somewhat inconvenient. Most of my time during the daytime will be spent in meetings, anyway.

Thanks for the beach info, though. I'm assuming that my walk downhill from the Marriott, and "through" Balboa Island will take me to a beach with public access, correct?

Also...could anyone suggest some fun group activities for the evening? Nothing too crazy. I'm thinking about places to eat, have a civilized cocktail, maybe enjoy a nice view. That sort of thing. From what I'm reading here, a short trip to Laguna Beach for the evening might be a good idea.

Any suggestions, anyone?

I really appreciate all the info. I know nothing about the Newport Beach area, and I'd like to take advantage of the change of scenery as much as possible.

Thanks again.

Balboa Island really is an island, although there is a small bridge to it which you reach from Bayside Drive [I think] which is off of Pacific Coast Highway by Fashion Island [outdoor shopping mall, not an island] near the Marriott. There is also a small ferry to the island that you catch near Main Street on the Balboa Penninsula of N.B. The ferry holds about 3 cars. It would be a long walk to Balboa Island and it really only has very small beaches. There is a great view from the cocktail lounge at the top of the Marriott.

The Cannery restaurant is a delightful (not delight ) place to eat right on the waterfront. It used to be a real cannery many years ago and is an historical place in the area as well as having delicious food.

People in Newport regularly walk farther distances than the distance from the Marriott to the beach. Newport is not Los angeles.

There are several restaurants on Marine Avenue on Balboa Island (yes, it is an Island and " old timers" think it is the greatest.) Two of the restaurants on the Island are Amelias and Giorgio La Trattoria, serving Italian food.

There is a long stretch of sand all the way around the island where private homes are located. The beach is public so anyone can use it.

I hope this info helps.
Andy