Newport Beach
A long girl’s weekend on the mainland is a treat, but deciding on the destination can feel daunting. After all, there are so many beautiful and unique cities to choose from, especially on the West Coast. But nothing quite compares to Newport Beach.
Why? For starters, consider the travel time—or rather, the lack thereof. Direct non-stop flights from Honolulu to Long Beach are a breeze. Less time in transit equals more moments with those friends you hold dearest.
Overall feel is also a consideration. Orange County offers the right combination of outdoors and refinement—mid-century architecture, seaside bike rides, beach barbeques, snowboarding at Big Bear, wine tours on Catalina, boutique shopping, and no shortage of quality eats. Much of it walkable, bikeable and boatable. There’s a reason they call Newport the cote d’azur of Southern California.
And while the O.C. might be cast in teen television history (who could forget Mischa Barton and Adam Brody in everybody’s favorite 2000s drama?) the grown-up version is far better. Off-screen, Newport is
a fascinating, friendly, adventurous place. Ready to go already?
Here’s how to get the most of a California getaway with the girls...
STAY & PLAY
Want the comforts of a well-appointed private residence with the benefits and amenities of a hotel? Lido House Hotel feels like one big beach house, a great mix of new and old friends. Book one of the five cottages there; each is primed for hosting a group, with three-story units that feel cozy and comfy. Bicycles are the transport of choice in Newport, and Lido house offers complimentary rentals, eliminating the need for a rental car. In the summertime, the rooftop bar is a lively scene. Just make sure to get up there early to grab a seat before sunset. The scene overlooking Newport peninsula, and on to Catalina Island, is seriously spectacular.
Balboa Bay Club Resort is another option that feels like home. It’s located right on the bay and features one of Newport’s best spas. (The steam room is perfect for decompressing after a day of travel.) Plus, Balboa has a Dry Bar on-site for quick blow outs. Alternatively, Ranch Laguna is nestled cozily in a wonderful location, right where the canyon meets the ocean. The property has tons of activities—namely golfing—which makes it ideal if you want to keep your party on-campus. No need to leave the canyon for three whole days!
EAT & DRINK
Mornings in Newport are best traversed by bicycle. Once you’re up and rolling, head to Atla Coffee for a caffeine fix. This quaint gathering place offers a small-town feel and great fresh brewed coffee, plus the best feta spinach croissants in town. Haute Cakes also has an incredible breakfast menu, with offerings diverse enough to please everybody in your posse. Chorizo scramble, house-made granola, avocado toast and gluten-free oatmeal blueberry pancakes? Check, check, check.
Now, this might sound silly, but... hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Try visiting Water Brewery, where you can fill a large jug of mineral-rich, purified H-two-Oh from the company’s Aquae Amore brand. Oh, and throw one of Water Brewery’s flourless cookies in your bag, too: It’s a seriously tasty pick-me-up.
Lunch in Newport means one thing: Salad. And you’ll find some of the west coast’s finest at A’s Market. The spinach-and-arugula blend is a perfect meal to bring to the beach, or stock up in your room for snacking to stay nourished. Ho Sum Bistro is another local favorite, and the Chinese chicken salad there is not to be missed. Another favorite, Fermentation Farm, specializes in healing foods like bone broths, turmeric kimchee, jun tea and pickled eggs. (Trust me.) For dinner, try A’s Restaurant, which is next door to A’s Market. The scene there is super-local and the Caesar salads are downright amazing.
After dark, bar-hopping is the Newport way. Pick up a Duffy electric boat at Lido Marina and start the party off right at Malibu Farms for fresh- made cocktails. From there, head to Billy’s for mai tais and then Sabatino’s, the local Italian family restaurant, for night bites to-go. The scratch chicken soup is a must, and it’s shareable with your girlfriends. (Insider tip: Ask for Esther’s table and enjoy the surprise!) Nobu Newport Beach is your last stop for dessert and sake night cap.
UNWIND & SHOP
TReSs Apothecary + Salon is a chic stopover, offering views of the bay with some of the world’s most coveted beauty and grooming products. But if it’s time for a morning-after cure, better head to Dr. Brett Florie’s Hydration Room. It offers efficient IV hydration and injec- tion therapies, administered in a relaxing medical spa environment. The 17th Street location is right next to Lavender Salon, which has some of the best blow- outs and facial treatments in Newport and is located next to some of the most stylish home decor shops and fashion retail stores.
To that end, Amarees is a boutique beloved the stars, and for good reason. Inside, sisters Apryl, Denise and Dawn approach high style in the most relaxed way—port windows to see the fish under- neath, grapefruit cocktails, sparking water on tap.
Lido Village is another one-of-a-kind scene, and Elyse Walker can help you curate a mix of high and low fashion for a look that isn’t trying too hard. Planet Blue’s beachy-boho aesthetic is a Malibu staple, offering O.C. looks that transition beautifully from beach to street.
GO & SEE
Catalina is located just 26 miles from Newport Harbor, about a 90-minute ride. Chartering a boat with the girls is the ideal way to spend your last sunny day in Southern California. The perfect day includes diving in the crystal-blue waters, grabbing a mai tai (or three) and dancing on the sand at Descanso Beach, which keeps a DJ in residence. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Still, some of us would prefer to stay primarily on terra firma. Crystal Cove State Park has some of the easiest hiking trails—smooth enough to travel in sandals—that lead to beautiful ocean vistas. Or you can just relax and ride your bicycles on the boardwalk, doing a Newport lap from pier to pier. Take in the views from The Wedge, one of the mainland’s most famous surfing spots.
Or take the ferry over to Balboa Island, which has plenty of boutique shopping, excellent salt-water taffy and, yes, the famous chocolate covered banana at The Original Frozen Banana. The fruit stand next to the ferry also sells baskets of fresh California strawberries. Just sayin’.