Newport Beach is the jewel of the California Coast! From its precious bays to Balboa Island with streets named after gemstones--Ruby, Opal, Amethyst, Emerald, Garnet, Topaz and Pearl, Newport is the treasure you'll discover when you visit and wander on foot. It's a walking town where the beachfront path goes on for well over a mile, and the Balboa Island bayfront path loops around the island past luxurious homes also for a mile or so.

Newport Beach gets its fame from all the wealthy people owning oceanfront homes who have called the place home. In Newport Beach you can buy $10 million mansions, drive down Coast Highway and pick up a new Maserati at Ferrari Newport Beach,  then head across the street and board your luxury yacht for the high seas.

But it's also and every man's beach city with hundreds of sand-drenched rental houses and units allowing every day tourists to live the good life for a week.

Two piers provide double pleasure for strolling, free pier fishing and dining. There's the Balboa Pier and the Newport Pier. The historic Balboa Pavilion is a signature building in the bay you can miss. Next to it are pleasure craft for rentals, rides to Catalina Island, whale watching, bay tours, and daily sportfishing outings.

When you go: Stay at a great beach hotel, Balboa Inn, or inland at other hotels. And be sure to book your Catalina Island Boat Tour & Ticket, or a wonderful Hornblower Dining Cruise.

Beaches in Newport Beach include the main beaches of Balboa Peninsula, Corona del Mar State Beach and Crystal Cove State Beach--beautiful miles of beaches not to be missed!

Shopping center not to be missed is the finest outdoor mall in Southern California overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Fashion Island.

Eclectic dining includes the Crab Cooker, a bright red building on Balboa Island peninsula, or the original Ruby's Diner on the Balboa Pier.

Things to see: There are many things to see and do in Newport Beach. Beaches are one of the top attractions. Boating, bays, museums, art, shopping and dining are several of Newport Beach's top things to check out.

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