There is no question that Newport Beach is one of the most scenic places in Southern California. This coastal city is home to some of the best surfing spots, incredible ocean-side views, and a wide variety of family-friendly activities.

Here are a few of the top things to do in Newport Beach, one of Orange County’s premier destinations. Just 20 minutes from Disneyland, Newport Beach is a great destination if you want to visit the happiest place on earth but also have a beach vacation.

Check out our article The Best Things To Do in California- 15 Amazing Stops for more scenic destinations along with Newport Beach!

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Best Things to do in Newport Beach

We love living in Southern California and part of that is because of all the amazing and beautiful places we can visit. Newport Beach, California is not far from us, so we have been able to really five into the town and find the best things to do in Newport Beach for families!

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1. Hop Over to Balboa Island

You simply cannot visit Newport Beach without heading over to Balboa Island. It is one of the most iconic destinations in this magnificent city.

Many visitors get to the island by ferry, as it allows them to walk around, enjoy the beach, get some exercise, eat some fish, and peruse the wide variety of shops, restaurants, and boutiques.

Things to do on Balboa Island with Kids

Located on the Balboa Peninsula, the Balboa Fun Zone is a classic amusement park that has been entertaining families since the early 1900s. From Ferris wheels to bumper cars, this park has it all.

Camden, Owen, and Shea all loved the bumper cars while Ella enjoyed the Ferris wheel. Olivia and Jack were happy to ride the carousel.

Prices vary depending on the ride, but you can purchase an all-day pass for $28. For more information, check out their website: https://www.thebalboafunzone.com/.

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2. Stop By a Frozen Banana Stand- One of the Most Iconic Things To Do in Newport Beach!

If you’ve ever watched the comedy TV series Arrested Development, then you probably know about the frozen banana stand that was maintained by the Bluth family on the island. The awesome thing is that these frozen bananas actually exist and you can get one for yourself!

There is just something so amazing and almost nostalgic about walking around Balboa Island with a delicious chocolate frozen banana While there are a few places on the island that swear they were the originators of this frozen treat, we recommend going to Dad’s Donuts.

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3. Visit the Orange County Museum of Art

The Orange County Museum of Art opened up back in 1962, though, at the time, it was referred to as the Balboa Pavilion Gallery.

It was remodeled in 1997, becoming the museum OC residents know and love today. There are many incredible rotating exhibits to see, as well as over 3,000 gallery items that have a central focus around California.

We recommend going on Fridays when the museum is free for everyone. Check out their current exhibitions here!

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4. Visit the Environmental Nature Center

Now that you’ve filled up with frozen treats, you’ll need to walk all of those calories off. We recommend visiting the Environmental Nature Center.

This spot dates back to 1972 when a team from Newport Harbor High built an Olympic Sized Pool on a piece of land that was not being utilized. Eventually, a group of teachers and students banded together to cultivate the land into a natural laboratory.

Here you can walk around and explore diverse plant life and an awe-inspiring butterfly house. The butterfly house is definitely one of the highlights of this center. Learn more about visiting here!

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5. Take in the Views of Corona del Mar

If you’re looking for some great scenic spots on your trip, we recommend heading down to Corona del Mar. In Spanish, Corona del Mar means “Crown of the Sea”. It was named such for its natural beauty.

There are many great attractions in Corona del Mar, including beaches, tide pools, and other lookout points. For one of the county’s best beaches, we recommend checking out Little Corona.

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6. Shop at Fashion Island

Fashion Island is the premier shopping destination for those who like to splurge in Newport Beach.

It is a wonderful spot ti shop and to get some gifts to take home as well. You can find a wide variety of open-air shops here, as well as bars, restaurants, and even a movie theater! It’s one of our favorite outdoor shopping centers in Southern California.

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7. Hit The Wedge- Top Thing To Do in Newport Beach for Surf Lovers!

This spot is for serious surfers and boogie boarders only. The Wedge is a stretch of coastline in Newport Beach that is known for having some of the biggest waves in the area. These swells are known to rise as high as 30 feet!

Bodyboarders love to hit The Wedge as well and you’ll find crowds cheering these watermen and women on any given day of the week. It is amazing to watch the surfers and boogie boarders.

The interesting thing about The Wedge is that it is the accidental product of a man-made jetty built back in the early half of the 20th century.

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8. Walk Through Sherman Library and Gardens

There are 2.2 acres of plants, flowers, fountains, and bucolic gardens at the Sherman Library and Gardens.

There are afternoon tea gatherings and regular classes, as well as a quaint little cafe serving up French and California-style cuisine. We recommend going on Sunday to enjoy the delicious brunch!

I also love the library as it is a wonderful spot to learn more about the history of the Pacific Southwest. Here you can find old archives with maps, photos, newspapers, and much, much more. The library is completely free to use too!

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9. Take a Gondola Ride- One of the Most Romantic Things To Do in Newport Beach!

If you are able to sneak away from the kids for a bit, we highly recommend taking a leisurely Gondola Ride through Newport Beach Habor. You will feel like you have been transported straight to Venice in these authentic gondolas, not to mention the guides are wonderful!

If you are looking for some other options for romantic getaways in Southern California, check out this article!

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10. Catch a Sunset at Inspiration Point

Looking for a little inspiration to close off your time in Newport Beach?

This small, grassy knoll boasts some of the most inspiring sunsets and ocean views. Head up to the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Orchid Avenue at Corona del Mar State Beach to find this little slice of heaven. Make sure to bring a camera and snap some pics on some of the many benches up there as well!

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11. Take in a Show at Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Located in Costa Mesa (right next door to Newport Beach) is the Segerstom Center for the Arts

There you will find amazing broadway shows, musicals, comedic acts and more. We have seen Hamilton, Elf the Musical, Rent and there are so many more. The theater is simply stunning and it is hard to get a bad seat.

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12. Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

This 1,000-acre nature preserve is perfect for a family hike or bike ride. The preserve offers several trails with beautiful views of the bay and plenty of wildlife to see. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Shea enjoyed the bike ride while Olivia loved looking for birds.

For more information, visit their website: https://www.newportbeachca.gov/government/departments/library-services/locations-hours/newport-beach-public-library-locations/mariners-branch-library.

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13. Arnold D Haskell Park

This park offers plenty of open space for kids to run and play. There are also several picnic tables and benches for families to enjoy a meal or snack. The park is located in Newport Beach and admission is free. Jack loved playing on the swings and the slide.

For more information, visit their website: https://www.newportbeachca.gov/government/departments/recreation-senior-services/parks-facilities/parks/arnold-d-haskell-park.

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Enjoy All the Things To Do in Newport Beach!

While luxury cars, yachts, and small dogs in purses are common things to see in Newport Beach, there is so much more the ordinary traveler to enjoy. From the pristine beaches to the stunning canyons, Newport Beach is a natural wonder, to say the least.

Here you can experience a mixture of nature and culture wrapped up in an energizing destination. We hope we have inspired you to make the most of your time in Newport Beach! Once you’ve experienced Newport beach, head over to Anaheim for a ton of family fun things to do beyond Disneyland

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Map of Things to do in Newport Beach

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Frequently Asked Questions about Things to do in Newport Beach

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The Top 10 [Family-Friendly] Things To Do In Newport Beach

• Balboa Island
• Visit a Frozen Banana Stand
• Orange County Museum of Art
• Environment Nature Center
• Little Corona
• Fashion Island
• Sherman Library and Gardens
• The Wedge
• Gondola Rides
• Catch a Sunset at Inspiration Point
• Segerstom Center for the Arts