Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival
FOOD, WINE
(
newportwineandfood.com
; mid-Sep)
Flashy food-and-wine fest shows off local restaurateurs, top chefs, prestigious winemakers
and brewmasters with live rock concerts staged near Fashion Island.
Christmas Boat Parade
CHRISTMAS
(
www.christmasboatparade.com
;
Dec)
The week before Christmas brings thousands of spectators to Newport Harbor to watch a
tradition dating back over a century. The 2½-hour parade of up to 150 boats, including
some fancy multimillion-dollar yachts all decked out with Christmas lights and holiday
cheer, begins at 6:30pm. Watch for free from the Fun Zone or Balboa Island, or book
ahead for a harbor boat tour.
Sleeping
A Newport stay ain't cheap, but outside peak season, rates listed here often drop 40% or
more.
Newport Channel Inn
MOTEL
Hwy; r $129-199; )
The ocean is just across Pacific Coast Hwy from this spotless 30-room, two-story 1960s-
era motel. Other perks include large rooms with microwaves and mini-fridges, a big com-
mon sundeck, beach equipment for loan and genuinely friendly owners with lots of local
knowledge. Enjoy a vacation-lodge vibe under the A-frame roof of Room 219, which
sleeps up to seven.
Newport Dunes Waterfront RV Resort & Marina
CABINS, CAMPING
campsites from $55, studios/cottages from $150/200; )
RVs and tents aren't required for a stay at this upscale campground: two dozen tiny A-
frame studios and one-bedroom cottages are available, all within view of Newport Bay. A
