Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [216]
The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum ( 949-675-8915; www.nhnm.org; 600 E Bay Ave, Balboa Fun Zone; admission free; 10am-6pm, closed Tue) is setting up new digs in the Balboa Fun Zone. At the time of writing, the official grand opening was scheduled for 2009, but the museum is already open to visitors. Exhibits document the region’s maritime heritage through old-time photographs, ship models, paintings and memorabilia. There’s a kid-friendly touch tank and an awesome big-screen video of Laird Hamilton surfing monster waves.
CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK
The 3.5 miles of open beach and 2000 acres of undeveloped woodland at this state beach ( 949-494-3539, 949-492-0802; www.parks.ca.gov; 8471 N Coast Hwy; ) let you forget you’re in a crowded metropolitan area, at least once you get past the parking lots ($10) and stake out a place on the sand.
You can mountain bike and hike on the inland side while diving is a draw along the coast. Many visitors don’t know it, but Crystal Cove is also an underwater park. Scuba enthusiasts can check out two historic anchors dating from the 1800s as well as the crash site of a Navy plane that went down in the 1940s.
You can rent your own discreet little cottage (www.crystalcovebeachcottages.org) on the beach but competition is extremely fierce for these historic and surprisingly cheap accommodations. To reserve cabins and inland campsites and check the cabin rates, contact ReserveAmerica ( 800-444-7275; www.reserveamerica.com; campsites $10-14).
NEWPORT BAY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
Inland from the harbor, where run-off from the San Bernardino Mountains meets the sea, the brackish water of the Newport Bay Ecological Reserve supports more than 200 species of birds. This is one of the few estuaries in SoCal that has been preserved, and it’s an important stopover on the Pacific Flyway (see the Environment chapter).
It’s also under the flyway for planes taking off from SNA, but this annoyance doesn’t overly detract from the awesome wildlife viewing. Stop by the Muth Interpretive Center ( 949-923-2290; 2301 University Dr; 10am-4pm Tue-Sun; ) at the corner of Irvine Ave and N University Dr. Walk past the informational marker down a short hill to the center; it isn’t visible from the parking lot. Inside, take a minute to wander. There’s a tank-filled activity room crawling with mostly local snakes, spiders and other creatures, as well as a display about the building, which is made from sustainable and renewable materials. Before heading out, grab a trail map and information about the 752-acre reserve as well as guided walking and kayaking tours.
Activities
BOATING
The best thing about Newport Beach is its harbor and beaches. At least take a harbor tour (right), but, better yet, rent your own watercraft.
Kayak, sail or motor around the harbor with an outboard motorboat from Marina Boat Rentals ( 949-673-3372; 600 E Bay Ave) at the Fun Zone on Balboa Peninsula. Kayaks/sailboats cost $15/40 per hour and motorboats start at $60 per hour. Prices are about the same at Balboa Boat Rentals ( 949-673-7200; 510 E Edgewater), where kayaks cost $15 per hour, sailboats $45 per hour, and powerboats $65 per hour.
Rent a flat-bottomed electric boat that you pilot yourself, and take a cruise with up to 12 friends. No boating experience required. Boats have heat and closable canopies. Bring CDs, food and drinks for a fun evening outing. Maps provided. Reserve one with Duffy Electric Boat Rentals ( 949-645-6812; www.duffyboats.com; 2001 West Coast Hwy; per hr $95 with 1hr minimum). Advance reservations recommended.