Newport Beach
Newport Harbor - From Balboa Pavilion, pick up whale watching trips, harbor cruises, the boat to Catalina Island and Christmas Boat Parade cruises. Whale watching cruises for gray whales are December to April, but you can go on boat cruises year round to see blue whales, dolphins, porpoises, sharks and sea lions.
Take a walk down the boardwalk, keeping your eyes peeled for pelicans and egrets in the air, sea lions in the water. At the Fun Zone, ride the ferris wheel overlooking the water, with great views of harbor and beach, and the carousel is fun for little kids.Balboa Island Ferry - Take the short ride across to Balboa Island, where you can walk around the island on the boardwalk. The island is a great spot to watch the Christmas Boat Parade in December and the Old Glory Boat Parade on July 4.Rent boats - Explore the bay in electric boats (with nice shady awnings, and large enough for the family), pedal boats, and kayaks.Upper Newport Bay (Back Bay) - Upper Newport Bay is an ecological reserve, an estuary and wetlands that is home to migratory birds and those eye-catching pelicans, blue herons and egrets. There's wide hiking paths, and a bike trail around the estuary.
Go out for a two hour kayak tour with a naturalist, every Saturday and Sunday, year round, or a pontoon boat expedition.Beaches -
Don't forget to bring a lot of sunscreen, water, snacks, sunglasses and or hats, towels, beach chairs, and sand toys. If you're traveling in the winter months (November through March), the temperature of the water is going to be colder than you might expect. Your kids probably won't care, and will be happy to play by the water's edge.
Learn to surf - If kids are going to learn to surf, this is the place. Lessons include surf boards and wetsuits.Newport Beach and Pier - A long flat sand beach, perfect for families, with outdoor showers and volleyball nets. Watch the anglers fishing from the pier.Balboa Beach and Pier - Rent bikes, surreys (can hold 2 - 9 people), beach cruisers, plus kid's trailers, and go for a ride on the boardwalk. (You can also rent boogie boards and beach chairs.)Little Corona Del Mar Beach - From Poppy Ave., follow the walkway down to the tide pools. The tide pools are just a fascinating place for kids to explore, entire miniature worlds, inhabited with tiny marine life. Look for sea anemones, orange and purple sea stars, and hermit crabs.Crystal Cove State Park - Come to Crystal Cove and stay in cottages, right on the beach! This is the a favorite thing to do for local families and visitors alike. The Crystal Cove Beach Cottages sleep 4 - 8 and you'll roll right out to the beach in the morning. Crystal Cove sandy beach, with lots of tide pools to explore, is perfect for swimming, wading, sand castle building, a full day by the ocean.
