Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [220]
Duke’s Place ( 949-645-5000; Balboa Bay Club & Resort, 1221 W Coast Hwy) Don white linen, valet the car and sip margaritas under a portrait of John Wayne while tapping your toe to piano jazz and watching the yachts at the high-style Balboa Bay Club & Resort bar and lounge.
Entertainment
Regency Lido ( 949-673-8350; 3459 Via Lido) Showing movies since 1938, the Lido now screens independent films. Glow-in-the-dark murals on the walls keep things funky. It’s on the corner of Newport Blvd and Via Lido just as you drive over the bridge onto the peninsula.
See first-run mainstream films at either Edwards Island Seven ( 949-640-1971; 999 Newport Center Dr) or Edwards Big Newport Six ( 949-640-4600; 300 Newport Center Dr), both at Fashion Island. General admission is $10, children under 11 and seniors $7.50. For matinees (shows before 6pm), general admission is only $8.50 (children under 11 and seniors $7.50).
Shopping
Fashion Island ( 949-721-2000; 550 Newport Center Dr; 10am-9pm Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm Sat, 11am-6pm Sun) With nearly 200 stores, this is the place to shop in Newport Beach. A chic outdoor mall that opened in 1967, Fashion Island sits in the middle of a traffic loop known as Newport Center Dr. Anchored by Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, the mall’s breezy, Mediterranean-style walkways are lined with specialty stores, national chains, upscale kiosks, numerous restaurants and the occasional koi pond and burbling fountain. The old-fashioned carousel and a minitrain lure the kiddies while their mothers heed the call of 40 or so women’s apparel and accessory stores including Juicy Couture, Betsey Johnson, Kate Spade and Nike Women. There’s a small indoor section, Atrium Court, with a Barnes & Noble.
On Balboa Island, Marine Ave is lined with cute shops in a village atmosphere, a good place to pick up something for the kids.
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AROUND NEWPORT BEACH
Two nearby communities that don’t have Newport’s name recognition but still draw crowds for their very specific charms are Corona del Mar and Costa Mesa.
Corona del Mar
Savor some of SoCal’s most beloved ocean views from the bluffs of Corona del Mar, an upscale Newport community stretching along PCH and hugging the eastern flank of the Newport Channel. Although the city is governed by Newport Beach, it has its own separate post office, library, Chamber of Commerce and upscale chichi vibe. In addition to stellar views, you’ll find numerous rocky coves and child-friendly tidepools.
INFORMATION
Chamber of Commerce ( 949-673-4050; 2855 East Coast Hwy, Suite 101; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri) Has brochures and information on local shops and businesses.
Public Library ( 949-644-3075; www.newport-beach.ca.us/nbpl; 420 Marigold Ave, 9am-6pm Tue-Sat)
US Post Office ( 949-673-2989; www.usps.com; 406 Orchid Ave; 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm Sat) Mail letters and buy stamps. A stamp machine is available when the window’s closed.
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
Corona del Mar State Beach ( 949-644-3151; 6am-10pm; ) lies at the foot of rocky cliffs. There are restrooms, fire rings (arrive early to snag one) and volleyball courts. Parking costs $8 on weekdays, $10 on weekends. Arrive by 9am on weekends to get a space. Enter off Ocean Blvd across from Jasmine Ave. If you’re early or lucky, you may find free parking atop the cliffs behind the beach along Ocean Blvd.
Children love the tide pools at Little Corona Beach just to the east, but be aware that the pools are being loved to death. Don’t yank anything from the rocks and tread lightly; light, oxygen and heavy footsteps can kill the critters. Because there’s no parking lot, crowds may be lighter. Look for street parking on Ocean Blvd near Poppy Ave.
Lookout Point sits above the beach on Ocean Blvd near Heliotrope Ave. Conceal your chardonnay: technically you can’t drink here, though many people do. In fact, some people practically throw cocktail parties here, mostly because of the fantastic