A late Fall beach getaway might seem counterintuitive but…hello, this is Southern California! Fall and Winter visits to our spectacular beach resorts offer visitors several benefits — less crowds, holiday festivities, bargain hotel rates, and to put us in the holiday spirit — some world-class shopping.
And conventional wisdom has it that after Thanksgiving we may all need to recharge a little to get us ready for the long haul to Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years and Boxing Day if you are like me.
So read on for more holiday inspiration.
The Holiday Tree at Fashion Island sets the tone for festive holiday shopping.
We Californians, especially Southern Californians, have always had uniquely festive holiday traditions, even without a White Christmas. Case in point, here is just a snapshot of some possibilities in and around the Newport Coast.
Your Holiday Headquarters
Make the Balboa Bay Resort your headquarters for holiday fun around the Balboa Bay Island and Newport Beach. Called the “host of the coast,” Balboa Bay Resort has come by that moniker honestly. The Balboa Bay Resort has been the epicenter for the area’s social scene for more than seven decades.
The Forbes Four-Star Balboa Bay Resort presides over the Newport Harbor.
The Balboa Bay Resort is situated along a mile-long stretch of stunning waterfront that was given to the city by James Irvine in 1928. After a period of postwar inactivity on this prized piece of real estate, two visionaries, Tom Henderson and Hadd Ring, led an effort to create a private beach club on the site — the historic private Balboa Bay Club was born and later the public Balboa Bay Resort followed. These developments turned Newport Beach into a year-round destination, not just a summer getaway as it had been up to that point.
Today, the Balboa Bay Resort is the only Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond waterfront resort in Newport Beach. The resort sits on 15 acres and offers a full-service guest experience and there’s no better time to take advantage of the off-season rates. Anytime through February 28, you’ll receive 15% off your room rate including waived resort fee and parking, as well as a daily resort credit of $50 you can use at the resort’s award-winning restaurant A+O, or to pamper yourself in the wellness spa. Enjoy a special New Year’s Eve — James Bond style with casino games and, of course, the iconic martini 007 favored!
From your luxe digs at the Balboa Bay Resort, you are just minutes from Newport’s many attractions, amenities and holiday festivities.
‘Tis the Season
One of the city’s most cherished holiday events is the fun and festive Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce will present “Jingle on the Waves,” the 113th annual event over five nights — December 15-19. Spectators lining the 14-mile parade route will delight in watching more than 100 brightly festooned boats. The annual boat parade draws hundreds of thousands of spectators from around Southern California and was named “one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation” by The New York Times.
Guests at the Balboa Bay Resort get a front row seat to the annual Boat Parade and the best views from the A+O Restaurant | Bar. Reservations required.
The annual Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade meanders on a 14-miles parade route.
You can also book a holiday lights boat cruise from December 3 through January 2 for you and your family. You’ll cruise around the harbor to see all of the amazing Ring of Lights displays and decorations. You can make a reservation by calling (949) 675-0551, just mention promo code “Lights20.”
Fashion Island: A Festive Shopping Oasis
Fashion Island is the supernova of shopping experiences in Southern California. Make your holiday shopping a fun experience at Fashion Island with its dramatic ocean views and its spectacular 90-foot tree decorated with 19,000 lights and ornaments. You can catch the Christmas Tree as it sparkles during the day and twinkles to life every night through January 1. With Fashion Island’s nearly 200 stores, 30 dining options, and complimentary Personal Shopping & Styling Services, you might just start a new Christmas shopping tradition!
Tiny Charming Balboa Island
Nearby the Balboa Peninsula features the historic town of Balboa Island with its Fun Zone, shops and casual eateries. Be sure to sample one of the island’s claim to fame — the frozen banana — which has been a staple of the town since 1963.
Balboa Peninsula features a Fun Zone, small town charm, and famous frozen bananas.
Balboa Island’s historic Fun Zone has been a popular attraction for more than 100 years.
Since the early 1900s, the Fun Zone has been entertaining families with its Ferris Wheel and merry-go-round. The merry-go-round was decommisioned in 2005 but the Ferris Wheel and other rides still continue to thrill visitors.
Discover Crystal Cove
Take a short drive south to the storied beach enclave of Crystal Cove in Newport Coast. Since the 1930s Crystal Cove has offered a recreational haven for countless families and visitors who camped on the beach or stayed in cottages. With its picturesque beach, bluffs and tide pools, Crystal Cove was, and still is, a quintessential slice of life in Southern California.
The historic Crystal Cove Cottages are available to the public for rentals.
Crystal Cove sits on 3.2 miles of coast with 46 historic beach cottages – notably listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The public can visit Crystal Cove beach for day use from 6 a.m. to sunset for hiking, day camping, swimming, and birdwatching. Meander along the 2,800 acres of trails that traverse picturesque wilderness and coastal bluff habitat. Parking is provided across the highway with shuttle service to the beach.