SeeCalifornia.com

Lifeguard Tower Number 74 was empty as the sun went down last night in Newport Beach. We took a leisurely evening stroll and watched dog owners bringing their pets out for a romp on the soft sand beach. But as dogs do, they all headed straight for the shoreline to play in the ocean waves.

In the winter months Newport’s beaches are open to pets before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. A section of county land where the Santa Ana River runs to the sea near Tower 74 seems to have dogs romping all day with their owners, probably because it is outside the city bounds.

Winter is the ideal time to visit Newport Beach on vacations or overnighters. Though many tourists keep their beloved annual traditions of renting beach houses during the exciting and more crowded summer months, the vibe is peaceful, quiet and mellow this time of year. With those unpredictable warm days California in January and February, if you get lucky, you’ll enjoy 70s during the day…but be sure to take a jacket for the cool nights.

Things to do throughout the winter include:

• trips to Catalina Island
• stroll and fish off Newport Beach’s  piers
• watching bodyboarders at The Wedge
• taking a harbor cruise, brunch or dinner cruise
• ride on the ferry
• shopping at Fashion Island
• shopping & dining on Balboa Island
• visiting Sherman Library & Gardens
• visiting Crystal Cove State Beach
• relaxing at miles of public beaches

If you go now through March, it will still be somewhat slow & easy, but when Easter hits and kids get out on Spring Break, things really pick up. The crowds come to stay and they don’t leave till around mid-to-late September.