Newport/Laguna Beach
 

I had posted yesterday about LA, but DH had relayed incorrect info to me.

We will be spending 3-4 nights at the Marriott Villas in Newport Shores in late May. Looking for places to eat nearby. We will have a car so a reasonable drive for dinner is ok.

Also, would you recommend the SD Zoo or the wildlife park for a day trip? Where else should we visit?

Immediately N on PCH in Corona del Mar are several great stops. Oysters at the SW corner of Corona del Mar is a Pacific/Asian/Seafood influence menu with Jazz many nights.

Bandara is a fireplace/rotisserie grilled and roasted meats that is pleasant. W side of PCH S. of Macarthur.

Further South again is Five Crowns, a Pub/Brittish venue. In the era of crappy mall pub recreations, this one has been around a long time and has really good food.

South on PCH, a mile into Laguna Beach is Las Brisas on the ocean side. Fantastic ocean and coast view. Very good upscale Mexican with a lot of seafood. They have a patio with heaters and fireplace. If the evenings are pleasant, this is a great setting.

North of Corona del Mar out on the Balboa Peninsula is Crabcatcher. A good California seafood spot.

A great sunset view is right across the street from you at the Pelican Hill resort. The restaurant in their clubhouse has an oceanview that is awesome. The food is only okay, but worth having a cocktail while you are in the neighborhood.

If you have not been to the San Diego Zoo, I would go for the zoo over the Wild Animal Park. If you have been to the zoo, Wild Anmial Park is worth the visit.

If you haven't been to the area before, Balboa Island is at the western end of Jubilee. A walk around the island is a couple of miles. Beautiful views of Newport Harbor with some neat shops and cafes.

I haven't been back for several years so I don't know if the quality is still good but I used to enjoy Cannon's in Dana Point above the marina, just south of Laguna Beach. When I lived there, the food was good and the marina, bay, and ocean views are spectacular, especially at sunset.

Sorry, I meant to add that I concur with the recommendation for the zoo if you have not been before and for the Wild animal Park if you've already been to the Zoo.

In Balboa/Newport is a little Italian place called Abbodanza (sp?) that is lovely. At the end of the Balboa pier is a hamburber shop named Ruby's that my NH visitor said served him the BEST burger he ever had. I personally like Roy's but that could have something to do with liking the killer Mai Tai's. Everything taste good after that. Along PCH, I also love Tommy Bahama's Cafe with its Crab Bisque Soup and macadamenia goat cheese. If you make it down to Laguana, Cottages has great breakfasts.