Suggestions for short visit to Newport Beach
Jan 15th, 2007, 01:33 PM
#23
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This is all relative to the time of day, particularly the flow of 405 freeway traffic at AM or PM rush hours. I would estimate non-peak driving time of 20-30 minutes to Newport Beach to as much as 30-40 minutes to coastal H.B.
Jan 17th, 2007, 03:45 PM
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Irvine is the best choice if you want to visit all 3 beach cities. Depends on where in Irvine, the drive could be 5min to Newport Beach or Laguna Beach - in the peak of tourist season.
So what is your research result about Catalina? Locals go there as a quick weekend getaway, typically either sleep on a boat or camp out. For a tourist, there are SO many better places to visit than Catalina. It is overrated. I will say no more about Catalina. I will let you figure out if it is worth the $$.
So what is your research result about Catalina? Locals go there as a quick weekend getaway, typically either sleep on a boat or camp out. For a tourist, there are SO many better places to visit than Catalina. It is overrated. I will say no more about Catalina. I will let you figure out if it is worth the $$.
Jan 17th, 2007, 04:00 PM
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I have to put in my two cents worth on Catalina: I agree wholeheartedly with the poster who said it is over-rated. Don't waste your time. But the Pageant of the Masters is a MUST!!!! It's in a very small venue called the Irvine Bowl on Laguna Cyn Road and all the seats are good. I go every year and even if I have close up seats I always bring binoculars anyway. Plan to eat in Laguna first and walk over. I think it begins at 8:30. Don't miss it! You won't see anything like it anywhere else.....a real treasure.
Jan 17th, 2007, 06:18 PM
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Not sure if you're much of a chocoholic, but if so, you must go to a Sees Candy (www.seescandy.com) while in OC. There's one right off of Pacific Coast Highway in Corona Del Mar.
Also, if you want to go inland a bit, there's an amazing new chocolate/crepe cafe in Laguna Niguel called Downeys Chocolate Cafe www.mychocolatefix.com/
Also, if you want to go inland a bit, there's an amazing new chocolate/crepe cafe in Laguna Niguel called Downeys Chocolate Cafe www.mychocolatefix.com/
Jan 17th, 2007, 09:39 PM
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Laguna Beach and Balboa Island for non-chain shopping and Corona del Mar (or window shopping). South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island (best mall shopping). Pagaent of the Masters is a 'must do' no matter what. Catalina is worth a day trip and can be done in a day -- take ferry there in a.m. and return in p.m. and you'd be able to see pretty much everything. Forget about Huntington Beach; lots of great non-chain restaurants in Laguna Beach and you'd find them just by walking around. Hotels for $100 or less will be a challenge. Or since weather will be great -- just hang out on the beach in Laguna or Newport and relax!
Jan 18th, 2007, 09:13 PM
#31
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Thanks so much. This is just what I need.
I think Catalina is more of a fantasy than anything. But if we go we'll definitely just go for the day.
I can stay in Irvine for $89 a night at the wedding hotel (don't know what that is.) Maybe that's the best option even though I'd rather be on the beach.
Do you think there's a chance to getting tickets to POM if I wait till later? (It's opening weekend.)
Yes, love love love chocolate. The Downey's looks pretty good!
Why forget Huntington? It's Surf City!
Thanks again everyone and Happy Friday!
I think Catalina is more of a fantasy than anything. But if we go we'll definitely just go for the day.
I can stay in Irvine for $89 a night at the wedding hotel (don't know what that is.) Maybe that's the best option even though I'd rather be on the beach.
Do you think there's a chance to getting tickets to POM if I wait till later? (It's opening weekend.)
Yes, love love love chocolate. The Downey's looks pretty good!
Why forget Huntington? It's Surf City!
Thanks again everyone and Happy Friday!
Jan 20th, 2007, 07:52 PM
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POM:
There are always people selling tickets by the gate. BTW inside POM, there is a nice restaurant, a bar and a snack place. Sounds like you are short on time - too many activities in 4 days.
Huntington Beach:
Depends on what you want to see. You seem to be a mom who remains young and hip, doesn't mind hanging out at a somewhat chaotic place. Very cool! Go ahead. It would be fun to discover the difference between S.OC and N.OC on your own.
There are always people selling tickets by the gate. BTW inside POM, there is a nice restaurant, a bar and a snack place. Sounds like you are short on time - too many activities in 4 days.
Huntington Beach:
Depends on what you want to see. You seem to be a mom who remains young and hip, doesn't mind hanging out at a somewhat chaotic place. Very cool! Go ahead. It would be fun to discover the difference between S.OC and N.OC on your own.
Jan 21st, 2007, 09:10 AM
#33
I really don't understand that comment about HB either. The Hyatt Regency HB is a good hotel but in July probably way more than $89. It's across the Hwy by a pedestrian bridge from the beach.
July is often "June gloom" time on the coast so maybe an inland hotel isn't that big a deal.
PS Last time I was on Balboa (Newport) there was a police incident with guns drawn so we don't need to get into generalizations about NOC and SOC.
July is often "June gloom" time on the coast so maybe an inland hotel isn't that big a deal.
PS Last time I was on Balboa (Newport) there was a police incident with guns drawn so we don't need to get into generalizations about NOC and SOC.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:36 PM
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Well, everything sounds great, and I do want to see all three towns and probably Catalina if we can swing it. The wedding is on a yacht in Newport Beach, which should be fun.
The Irvine hotels (both on Main Street) are Courtyard Marriott and Marriott Residence Inn, which is a little more expensive. Any comments on either?
The Irvine hotels (both on Main Street) are Courtyard Marriott and Marriott Residence Inn, which is a little more expensive. Any comments on either?
Jan 26th, 2007, 01:10 PM
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The Hyatt Regency in HB is WAY more than $89/nt. Some would rank it within the top five resort hotels in OC easily.
Now, that said, HB will be bustling in July, but with really cool stuff (not artsy cool but cool nonetheless). There will definitely be very competetive beach volleyball to be watched from the pier, possibly musicians jamming on the plaza steps. Some weekends tons of people come with their various percussion instruments and just improv jam together all day on the steps adjacent to the pier. There is also a midweek (Friday I think) mini flea market that pops up right on the boardwalk with cool stuff. The two main surf stores will have racks of discount clothing/apparel outside in front of their respective storefronts. A good chance to get cool/trendy things for only a minor fortune rather than the bags of money they normally retail for. The restaurants and bars are a good mix of quality small chain and one-of-a-kind establishments that line Main street. The locals are out side-by-side with the tourists eating, drinking and being festive on the balconies of the 2 story establishments people watching from above (think french quarter but laid back beach style). The beautiful people are everywhere, but not in an "admire my body" kind of way, they are just there enjoying the HB vibe on a sunny Summer day. And the best thing is the HB "scene" is in a pretty compact area (though HB is a pretty large city) and can be enjoyed in as little as one day if time were a factor.
For the retail shopping that is one-of-a-kind, I would agree that Balboa Island and Corona Del Mar are the spots. CDM is a simple one street town (PCH highway 1), and Balboa Island is reachable from PCH by making a quick turn toward the beach at Jamboree Road. A little further South down PCH from Jamboree turning inland will take you to Fashion Island. There are mostly high-end chain stores and shops at this outdoor mall, but this is where the old Newport Beach money shops. Its Rodeo Drive without the pretention, ugly surroundings or streets to cross.
For sheer size and a comparable level of opulance mixed in with everyday mall findings, South Coast Plaza should at least be something you check out. Its pretty impressive.
Doing all of these things will force you to experience the beautiful coastal drives you mentioned wanting to have. In fact, as you pass through Corona Del Mar on your way to Laguna Beach, you will pass my favorite "view from the car" in all of coastal orange county: Crystal Cove State Beach. It sits just opposite the recently flourishing Newport Coast community, which has now descended from the hills that separate the coast from Irvine and is beginning to sprawl down toward the coast. Its a bit tragic, but the homes are beautiful (think of the skyline from the home used for the TV show "The OC" and that is Newport Coast). The retail area at the foot of the hills directly on the landside of PCH has what may very well be the best (and most expensive) seafood dining experience around: Mastro's Ocean Club. This is the second or third offering from Mastro who also operates a steak house in Costa Mesa, and began his Ocean Club seafood endeavor in Scottsdale, Arizona, the birth place of a growing number of innovative eatery ideas that are being taken on the road to So Cal and other metropolitan areas.
Speaking of eating (and this is my favorite subject), here would be some places I would definitely recommend:
Sunset Beach:
Harpoon Harry's on PCH (great seafood)
Huntington Beach:
Fred's Cafe is excellent (if not slightly Americanized) Baja style Mexican food, and sits in the choicest spot on the corner of Main and PCH across from the pier. My fave spot to chill, have a few drinks and watch the people and the beautiful HB shoreline.
Newport Beach
In northern NB, there is the Cannery on Balboa Peninsula (not to be confused with Balboa Island). Great continental cuisine with a selection of some truly amazing seafood dishes, with some view of the bay.
Another continental cuisine favorite of mine with "on the boardwalk" marina views is the relatively quaint Camelot Restaurant. Caelot is also on Balboa Peninsula in the Lido Island district. I cannot recommend the filet mignon or sea bass highly enough.
A touch farther South on PCH from the Balboa Peninsula turn-off is Restaurant Row. There are a number of choices both on the marina side and inland side of PCH. Some change names quite often attempting to keep with the trendy crowds, but there are some longstanding local favorites as well. Arches is small and unassuming, but is an historical staple of Newport. You will find the clientele and ambiance take you back to a different time, but the wine and food selection keep the Arches delivering on its well-earned reputation.
For a considerably younger, festive spot that sits right on the Marina, there is Joe's Crab Shack. Depending on your preferred atmosphere, this may be a better choice than the Crab Cooker, which is geared to a much less colorful, more subdued family dining experience.
Corona Del Mar
Caffe Panini is a healthy, tasty spot with espresso bar, salad bar and excellent sandwhich choices. This one is on PCH, but there is another (the flagship) a couple blocks from John Wayne Airport as well.
Bamboo Bistro is an excellent choice for Thai food, a favorite of locals and periodic visitors as well. Also on PCH.
Banderas is a trendy spot right on PCH. The kind of place corporate hotshots young and old meet to network over drinks. Almond wood mesquite cooked seafood is their specialty, but all the dishes here live up to the buzz.
If the Arches is the crown jewel of the Newport premium restaurants, then Five Crowns is Corona Del Mar's pick for that honor. Long known as a place where discerning diners not easily impresed by high priced snazzy joints go to enjoy an exquisite meal worth every penny. Continental cuisine.
Laguna Beach
Its been mentioned, but Las Brisas is on the list simply because it has a better than decent food offering and hand's down the best location atop the cliffs above Main Beach, which is always teeming with activity, with a view not easily equaled.
Across the street on the inland side are two places definitely worth noting. The Cottage is a continental cuisine spot that serves up excellent food in a truly charming converted cottage overlooking PCH. Two or three buildings to the North is Madison Square Garden Cafe. Limited operating hours, but you will enjoy a very tasty breakfast or lunch (limited menu) in a relaxing tree-shaded garden patio. I'm getting relaxed just picturing being there while writing this.
South Laguna - Cedar Creek Grill. This is one of three orange county locations for this family-owned restaurant. Diverse menu filled with absolutely delicious offerings, in a very pleasant dining atmosphere. The other locations are San Juan Capistrano (near the mission) and Aliso Viejo/Laguna Hills border (you probably won't ever have reason to be in that neck of the woods though).
Some other notable eateries not necessarily on the coast:
Javier's Mexican Cantina at the Irvine Spectrum (easy to find entertainment complex in south Irvine). This is really good Mexican food, but the venue is the big seller here. A truly impressive visual frame in any direction you look. Depending on how crowded it is (and it can get packed on a Friday or Saturday night), it can be one of those places you just like to be in.
Lazy Dog Cafe in Huntington Beach (inland). This is a new restaurant idea from the family that owns a well-loved chain called "Mimi's Cafe" (a country french atmosphere and ameri-french casual faire. This gets my vote for best new restaurant in Orange County. A varied menu for all tastes, and I have loved everything I have tried. The atmosphere is a mix of contemporary feng shuei and midwest country cabin. The restaurant is anchored to a gigantic fireplace and hearth that opens to both the inside and outside patio.
In various locations throughout Orange County you will find a family-owned chain that is hugely popular: The Claim Jumper. This is a California Goldrush themed atmosphere restaurant chain that serves exceedingly sizeable portions of notably good food. Menu is varied to suit all tastes. This is pretty much garuanteed to be a crowd-pleasing choice for lunch or dinner.
If you make your way to the Disneyland Resort, I would recommend one of two places to eat in the Downtown Disney shopping/eating area. For a far-out jungle safari experience, eat at the Rainforest Cafe. This comes complete with waterfalls, animatronic animals, ancient amazon ruins, and a pretty good selection of traditional faire with interesting twists. The other place I enjoy is Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. This is New Orleans style creole and soul food cooking. The Venue is a classic 2 story french quarter style mansion with a central courtyard and balcony dining to people watch and listen to the live musicisans on the walkway below.
Finally, if they do not have them where you live, you must stop for a quick burger from an "In-N-Out Burger". This is a family-owned chain that is a favorite throughout the California/Nevada/Arizona region of the Western US. People always ask, what could be so special about a burger joint. But they are rarely disappointed after finishing off their first Double-Double.
This list covers only a small number of Orange County areas, and only a handful of choices available within those areas. Needless to say, there are countless places throughout Orange County to enjoy a great meal. But this list represents some of my favorite haunts. I am more of a Coastal OC guy, so I don't have any recommendations for the inland Orange County cities (like Buena Park, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Orange). But I gather from your posts that you will be spending most of your time along the coast anyway.
Have a great time!
Now, that said, HB will be bustling in July, but with really cool stuff (not artsy cool but cool nonetheless). There will definitely be very competetive beach volleyball to be watched from the pier, possibly musicians jamming on the plaza steps. Some weekends tons of people come with their various percussion instruments and just improv jam together all day on the steps adjacent to the pier. There is also a midweek (Friday I think) mini flea market that pops up right on the boardwalk with cool stuff. The two main surf stores will have racks of discount clothing/apparel outside in front of their respective storefronts. A good chance to get cool/trendy things for only a minor fortune rather than the bags of money they normally retail for. The restaurants and bars are a good mix of quality small chain and one-of-a-kind establishments that line Main street. The locals are out side-by-side with the tourists eating, drinking and being festive on the balconies of the 2 story establishments people watching from above (think french quarter but laid back beach style). The beautiful people are everywhere, but not in an "admire my body" kind of way, they are just there enjoying the HB vibe on a sunny Summer day. And the best thing is the HB "scene" is in a pretty compact area (though HB is a pretty large city) and can be enjoyed in as little as one day if time were a factor.
For the retail shopping that is one-of-a-kind, I would agree that Balboa Island and Corona Del Mar are the spots. CDM is a simple one street town (PCH highway 1), and Balboa Island is reachable from PCH by making a quick turn toward the beach at Jamboree Road. A little further South down PCH from Jamboree turning inland will take you to Fashion Island. There are mostly high-end chain stores and shops at this outdoor mall, but this is where the old Newport Beach money shops. Its Rodeo Drive without the pretention, ugly surroundings or streets to cross.
For sheer size and a comparable level of opulance mixed in with everyday mall findings, South Coast Plaza should at least be something you check out. Its pretty impressive.
Doing all of these things will force you to experience the beautiful coastal drives you mentioned wanting to have. In fact, as you pass through Corona Del Mar on your way to Laguna Beach, you will pass my favorite "view from the car" in all of coastal orange county: Crystal Cove State Beach. It sits just opposite the recently flourishing Newport Coast community, which has now descended from the hills that separate the coast from Irvine and is beginning to sprawl down toward the coast. Its a bit tragic, but the homes are beautiful (think of the skyline from the home used for the TV show "The OC" and that is Newport Coast). The retail area at the foot of the hills directly on the landside of PCH has what may very well be the best (and most expensive) seafood dining experience around: Mastro's Ocean Club. This is the second or third offering from Mastro who also operates a steak house in Costa Mesa, and began his Ocean Club seafood endeavor in Scottsdale, Arizona, the birth place of a growing number of innovative eatery ideas that are being taken on the road to So Cal and other metropolitan areas.
Speaking of eating (and this is my favorite subject), here would be some places I would definitely recommend:
Sunset Beach:
Harpoon Harry's on PCH (great seafood)
Huntington Beach:
Fred's Cafe is excellent (if not slightly Americanized) Baja style Mexican food, and sits in the choicest spot on the corner of Main and PCH across from the pier. My fave spot to chill, have a few drinks and watch the people and the beautiful HB shoreline.
Newport Beach
In northern NB, there is the Cannery on Balboa Peninsula (not to be confused with Balboa Island). Great continental cuisine with a selection of some truly amazing seafood dishes, with some view of the bay.
Another continental cuisine favorite of mine with "on the boardwalk" marina views is the relatively quaint Camelot Restaurant. Caelot is also on Balboa Peninsula in the Lido Island district. I cannot recommend the filet mignon or sea bass highly enough.
A touch farther South on PCH from the Balboa Peninsula turn-off is Restaurant Row. There are a number of choices both on the marina side and inland side of PCH. Some change names quite often attempting to keep with the trendy crowds, but there are some longstanding local favorites as well. Arches is small and unassuming, but is an historical staple of Newport. You will find the clientele and ambiance take you back to a different time, but the wine and food selection keep the Arches delivering on its well-earned reputation.
For a considerably younger, festive spot that sits right on the Marina, there is Joe's Crab Shack. Depending on your preferred atmosphere, this may be a better choice than the Crab Cooker, which is geared to a much less colorful, more subdued family dining experience.
Corona Del Mar
Caffe Panini is a healthy, tasty spot with espresso bar, salad bar and excellent sandwhich choices. This one is on PCH, but there is another (the flagship) a couple blocks from John Wayne Airport as well.
Bamboo Bistro is an excellent choice for Thai food, a favorite of locals and periodic visitors as well. Also on PCH.
Banderas is a trendy spot right on PCH. The kind of place corporate hotshots young and old meet to network over drinks. Almond wood mesquite cooked seafood is their specialty, but all the dishes here live up to the buzz.
If the Arches is the crown jewel of the Newport premium restaurants, then Five Crowns is Corona Del Mar's pick for that honor. Long known as a place where discerning diners not easily impresed by high priced snazzy joints go to enjoy an exquisite meal worth every penny. Continental cuisine.
Laguna Beach
Its been mentioned, but Las Brisas is on the list simply because it has a better than decent food offering and hand's down the best location atop the cliffs above Main Beach, which is always teeming with activity, with a view not easily equaled.
Across the street on the inland side are two places definitely worth noting. The Cottage is a continental cuisine spot that serves up excellent food in a truly charming converted cottage overlooking PCH. Two or three buildings to the North is Madison Square Garden Cafe. Limited operating hours, but you will enjoy a very tasty breakfast or lunch (limited menu) in a relaxing tree-shaded garden patio. I'm getting relaxed just picturing being there while writing this.
South Laguna - Cedar Creek Grill. This is one of three orange county locations for this family-owned restaurant. Diverse menu filled with absolutely delicious offerings, in a very pleasant dining atmosphere. The other locations are San Juan Capistrano (near the mission) and Aliso Viejo/Laguna Hills border (you probably won't ever have reason to be in that neck of the woods though).
Some other notable eateries not necessarily on the coast:
Javier's Mexican Cantina at the Irvine Spectrum (easy to find entertainment complex in south Irvine). This is really good Mexican food, but the venue is the big seller here. A truly impressive visual frame in any direction you look. Depending on how crowded it is (and it can get packed on a Friday or Saturday night), it can be one of those places you just like to be in.
Lazy Dog Cafe in Huntington Beach (inland). This is a new restaurant idea from the family that owns a well-loved chain called "Mimi's Cafe" (a country french atmosphere and ameri-french casual faire. This gets my vote for best new restaurant in Orange County. A varied menu for all tastes, and I have loved everything I have tried. The atmosphere is a mix of contemporary feng shuei and midwest country cabin. The restaurant is anchored to a gigantic fireplace and hearth that opens to both the inside and outside patio.
In various locations throughout Orange County you will find a family-owned chain that is hugely popular: The Claim Jumper. This is a California Goldrush themed atmosphere restaurant chain that serves exceedingly sizeable portions of notably good food. Menu is varied to suit all tastes. This is pretty much garuanteed to be a crowd-pleasing choice for lunch or dinner.
If you make your way to the Disneyland Resort, I would recommend one of two places to eat in the Downtown Disney shopping/eating area. For a far-out jungle safari experience, eat at the Rainforest Cafe. This comes complete with waterfalls, animatronic animals, ancient amazon ruins, and a pretty good selection of traditional faire with interesting twists. The other place I enjoy is Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. This is New Orleans style creole and soul food cooking. The Venue is a classic 2 story french quarter style mansion with a central courtyard and balcony dining to people watch and listen to the live musicisans on the walkway below.
Finally, if they do not have them where you live, you must stop for a quick burger from an "In-N-Out Burger". This is a family-owned chain that is a favorite throughout the California/Nevada/Arizona region of the Western US. People always ask, what could be so special about a burger joint. But they are rarely disappointed after finishing off their first Double-Double.
This list covers only a small number of Orange County areas, and only a handful of choices available within those areas. Needless to say, there are countless places throughout Orange County to enjoy a great meal. But this list represents some of my favorite haunts. I am more of a Coastal OC guy, so I don't have any recommendations for the inland Orange County cities (like Buena Park, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Orange). But I gather from your posts that you will be spending most of your time along the coast anyway.
Have a great time!
Jan 29th, 2007, 01:43 PM
#37
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More great information -- thanks again. Gottaknowmehb, that's a neat rundown of highlights and places to eat. I certainly have some delimmas regarding food, don't I?
Huntington Beach sounds like a lot of fun. I hope we can be there on Friday for the street vendors.
Is there a market or art fair near the POM?
Huntington Beach sounds like a lot of fun. I hope we can be there on Friday for the street vendors.
Is there a market or art fair near the POM?
Jul 4th, 2007, 08:35 AM
#39
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We love the Crab Cooker, too, and we go there anytime we're in the vicinity. I wouldn't call it 'subdued' by any means, though. It's fairly hectic, actually.
Great grilled lobster tails that are actually affordable. We get there early for dinner, and to find parking behind the place. Walk out on the pier after dinner. Go to Balboa Island before dinner.
>-
Great grilled lobster tails that are actually affordable. We get there early for dinner, and to find parking behind the place. Walk out on the pier after dinner. Go to Balboa Island before dinner.
>-
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