Things to do in Newport Beach, CA
I’ve been living in Corona Del Mar/Newport beach for over 2 years and I am loving it. CDM is a sub-city in Newport right along PCH and I live right off of the main highway walking distance to EVERYTHING. Living with my best friends and starting my career here has been such a great experience and I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful place. Here are some of my fav restaurants and things to do, Enjoy!
RESTAURANTS (a little fancier)
Shorebird: Dinner with a view!! located right off the bay and the food is absolutely amazing. Every dish I have had, I have loved. Great place for a date night just make sure to get a reservation.
Playa Mesa: Great place for some family dining and voted best margaritas in OC.
Sol Mexican Cocina: Live music on taco Tuesdays and bomb street tacos:)
Landers Liquor : “A 1958 iconic Costa Mesa landmark outdoor restaurant now fully transformed into a neighborhood hang out. Inspired by California’s high deserts and influenced by the coastal lifestyle.”
Social - There is one in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. HB has a great outdoor fire pit and some games!
CDM Restaurant - The best carrots I’ve ever had!! lol also there is a super cool speakeasy downstairs.
2145 - If you like shared plates and tapas then this is the place for you!!! Pizza, Brussel sprouts, wine, and an ambiance to die for!! Fun fact: this used to be an old gas station and they ended up fixing it up and restoring it into a restaurant ;)
Bandera - Famous for their rotisserie chicken that is cooked outside over an open fire! This restaurant is right off of PCH in Corona Del Mar, and within walking distance to the CDM state beach. After/before your dinner you can enjoy a short walk to Ocean Blvd and overlook the ocean to watch the sunset. I would highly recommend the salads and also bring your own wine for a small corkage fee ;)
Tavern House Kitchen + Bar - Great atmosphere and perfect for a date night. They do have TV’s around a giant island bar and great cocktails. I would definitely recommend their flatbreads for a shared plate.
Pirozzi/Foretti’s - This is an amazing Italian restaurant that just went under new ownership in July 2020. They still have the same chef and menu items and the pasta’s are to die for.
HAPPY HOUR/SPORTS BARS + NIGHTLIFE
Wild Goose Tavern: Perfect outdoor patio with great music and vibes! Gets packed really quickly so get there early before there is a line.
The Port: Live Music Thursday- Saturday! They also have a gorgeous indoor/outdoor setting.
Stag Bar: If you are looking for a younger college crowd then this your place!
Rothschild: Italian restaurant by day and vegas club by night. Lol JK, but it gets a little cray after 9pm.
Helmsman Ale House: Great outdoor seating area, with good drinks, and walking distance to many other popular bars.
Bosscat: Amazing happy hour for after work and great shared plates.
The Place: The perfect sports bar located in CDM. The ranch is to die for and I don’t even really care for ranch!!
THINGS TO DO
Rent a Duffy Boat and bring your own alcohol and snacks while driving around Newport Beach Bay. Perfect for cruising or celebrating a birthday with friends.
Balboa Island: A cute place island that people once thought would get submerged by water, but it is still going strong. Try the Village Inn for their good drinks and shared plates, take about a 2-mile loop walk all the around, get some shopping done, and maybe even a frozen banana :)
Fashion Island: Arguably the best shopping center in California. Also, they have some great lunch spots (Red O and True Food Kitchen)
Hiking: Click here for a list of my favorite hikes in OC.
Beaches: CDM State Beach, Thousand Steps Beach, Victoria Beach. I would say Newport State beach, but this tends to be a little too touristy for me, but if you are down there I would suggest going to the north end of the Peninsula around 50th st or the Jetty.
LA/OC area has so many places to go listen to music. The smaller more intimate settings are my favorite. Check out these venues to find out who is playing
