Newport Beach

 

Newport Beach is a wonderful coastal city that many locals believe epitomizes Southern California outdoor living. Its crown jewel is its world-class harbor, which is filled with sailboats, fishing boats, and luxury motor yachts. Within the harbor are eight exclusive islands that showcase some of Orange County’s finest estates, admired by passing boaters.

 

Don’t miss the Balboa Ferry that transports cars and pedestrians to and from the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, and the Fun Zone, the 3-mile-long amusement and activity-filled boardwalk on Balboa Peninsula that runs from Peninsula Point to 36th Street. Newport Beach is a haven to surfers, home to many surf hot spots along its 10 miles of white sandy beach, as well as to the famous Wedge at W Street, popular with body surfers and boogie boarders. Newport Beach also offers many great shopping and dining locations, including Fashion Island and Lido Isle.

 

 

The Point, as locals call it, is located at the very tip of the Balboa Peninsula where it meets the Newport Harbor entrance and jetty. Peninsula Point is one of Newport Beach’s oldest and most exclusive residential neighborhoods. The community is close enough, yet far enough, from the area shopping centers such as Fashion Island and Lido Isle, business districts, and the John Wayne Airport/OC Airport, as well as the thoroughfares that access the freeways to Irvine and Los Angeles. Residents believe Peninsula Point is the best-kept secret in Newport Beach! Peninsula Point offers the charm of yesteryear in idyllic harbor front or beachfront homes dating back to the 1920s, alongside modern masterpiece estates with private docks and mega motor yachts.

 

The Point’s residents have access to some of Newport’s quietest ocean beaches, as well as the scenic entrance to Newport Harbor. Unlike the rest of the peninsula, the Point is made up largely of single-family residences. The community’s architecture ranges from a mix of Eastern Seaboard, Cape Cod, Mediterranean, traditional, and contemporary styles. Many of the homes are custom, and many offer luxury lifestyle features, but a few of the original cottages remain, showcasing yesteryear.

 

The famous “Wedge” at the southern tip of the Peninsula draws large crowds when the waves offer surf breaks of 10-20 feet. Caution! When waves become over 5 feet, and the riptide is strong, lifeguards advise that only extremely experienced swimmers and surfers enter the water.

 

The Peninsula Point Homeowner’s Association allows members access to a private bay beach, as well as the use of a small boat ramp for launching small sail and motor craft. The Peninsula Point Tennis Club allows members to get in a quick game on one of the ivy-enclosed courts. The active Peninsula lifestyle allows its residents a wide variety of outdoor activities, from walking, biking, stand-up paddleboarding, and surfing, all in one day. At night, “the Point” is one of the quietest spots in the city, allowing all to savor the sounds of waves and the gentle barking of seals in Newport Harbor. Note: Airport noise is a disturbance at certain times of the day.

 

 

Corona del Mar, or as locals call it, CdM, is Spanish for “Crown of the Sea.” This special seaside neighborhood in Newport Beach generally consists of luxury homes positioned throughout its landscape of pristine beaches, tidepools, cliffs, and village shops. Natural attractions in the area include Corona del Mar State Beach and Crystal Cove State Park, located south of Corona del Mar and accessible by walking and bike paths winding down steep hillsides. 

 

Settled in the early 20th century, the older area of CdM consists mostly of closely spaced, freestanding, single-family homes. The inland side of the Pacific Coast Highway is mainly comprised of two-story, front-and-back unit homes on single lots. The community provides easy access to John Wayne / OC Airport, Irvine, and the freeways to Los Angeles and San Diego. A few of the featured communities within CdM include Cameo Shores, Cameo Highlands, Harbor View, and Spyglass Hill.