Even if you’ve never been to Newport Beach, it’s a place that’ll probably feel familiar. Over the years, it’s played a background role in many films and television shows, from Beaches and Treasure Island to The OC and Arrested Development. There’s even a swish film festival held every October, which draws in the stars.
This coastal city is the epitome of Orange County living, with al fresco restaurants dotted around a yacht-filled harbour, miles of sandy beaches, and laidback bars where locals drink rosé in flip flops. With 10 distinct neighbourhoods, Newport Beach is more a city of villages, from Balboa Island (reached via a cute, three-minute ferry) to Corona del Mar, where clifftop homes overlook a surf beach below. The Pacific Coast Highway cuts through the city, making it a good stopover for those doing the classic road trip down the California coast.
