Girls' Trip to Newport Beach, Orange County, California

Whether you’re flying or driving into Orange County, chances are you’re arriving in the afternoon. Best to make a stop at Fashion Island on the way into town, to grab any last-minute items or outfits you might need for the weekend.


If you end up booking a stay at Pendry Newport Beach, you will be within walking distance of your hotel. Easy to check-in and then also walk to dinner!

I would recommend True Food Kitchen for a casual, healthy bite to eat, or Joey’s Newport Beach for a more upscale dining experience. If you have a sweet tooth, best to skip dessert at dinner and walk over to Bacio di Latte across the parking lot for gelato. Sometimes there is a line, but that’s when you know it’s good!

Let’s be honest — you came to Orange County for the beach. Luckily, it’s beach weather from March until October, so if you’re traveling between those months, I would encourage you to plan for a full day in the sun if you can.

If you want the true local experience, it would be best to stop at a coffee shop on your way to the beach. I would recommend Freelance Coffee Project, Neat Coffee or Daydream Surf Shop if you want an iconic surfer vibe while you sip your latte.

Enjoy the sun and the waves freshly caffeinated and if you need a mid-day snack, you need to grab an açaí bowl from Banzai Bowls — the best part is you can walk there from the main area of Newport Beach if you plopped down next to the pier. Local tip — download the app or call ahead to order, because the wait can be 30+ minutes during peak times since all bowls are handmade and fresh to order.

Need a little exercise after laying on the beach all morning? Also, walking distance from the pier at Newport is Boardwalk Sports, where you can rent bikes (or hello, tandem bikes!) for a few hours and bike the boardwalk. If you follow the bike path signs all the way east to Ocean Blvd, you will end up at a local surf spot called “The Wedge” to enjoy the wind and waves, or sit on one of the benches facing the canal to watch the boats coming in and out of the harbor. Peaceful and relaxing.

If you’re wiped from the beach and biking, the boardwalk, it might be best to plan on grabbing takeout for dinner to watch the sunset or head back to the hotel. If you like Italian food, this night would be great to grab takeout from Mama D’s.

We love a good day to sleep in and then grab brunch! My favorite brunch spot in Newport is Haute Cakes, and even though it’s tucked away in a courtyard and the service is order at a bar and seat yourself, it’s worth the price of admission. The French toast is spectacular! Grab a coffee on your way out a few doors down from Kit Coffee or if you love matcha, their strawberry matcha is worth a try.

This day would be great to book an afternoon boat ride, as you can cruise around Newport Harbor for a few hours and dream about maybe one day owning a home on the water or a boat, or both! Book a local charcuterie company like June and July Co to have a beautiful snack board while out on the water.

If you rent from Village Boat Rentals in Lido Village, you can maximize your trip to Lido by shopping at one of the boutique stores beforehand (think Le Labo, Marrow Fine, Aesop, etc.), enjoying your boat ride, and then dining at one of the restaurants afterward. I personally love the vibe of Zinque, as you can overlook the harbor while eating dinner. For a lighter option, Le Bowl is a local favorite or you can always order my go-to, which is a grass-fed burger.

On your way home, stop for ice cream at Salt & Straw. Chocolate gooey brownie in a waffle cone is it!