Published November 8, 2026
NEWPORT BEACH | GO DO STUFF | NOVEMBER 8, 2026
Newport Coast has a holiday shopping trip that ends with your toes in the sand. Hard to say that about the mall.
Holiday House
Every holiday season, the Crystal Cove Conservancy turns Cottage #46, the turquoise one on the beachfront, into its Holiday House. Inside: ornaments made by hand by local artists, gifts inspired by the ocean and the park, and nature-themed décor. What you spend goes back into the Conservancy’s preservation and education work at the park, so the gift does a little double duty.
The Conservancy lists the Holiday House running mid-November through Jan. 7. Visit Newport Beach’s calendar has it opening Nov. 16. Its store is listed as open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but call ahead before making the drive.
Carols and cocoa
Make it an evening. On Thursday, Nov. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Shopping Center in Crystal Cove up on Coast Highway hosts Carols & Cocoa, with holiday tunes and free hot cocoa.
Plan it
- Hit the cottage in the afternoon, when the light on the water is doing its thing.
- Park smart. It’s a state park, so check parking before you go.
- Walk the historic cottages while you’re down there. They’re decorated for the season and they’re the best thing on that coast.
- Head up the hill for cocoa at 5.
Ornaments with an ocean view. Beat that, Amazon.
Sources
- Crystal Cove Conservancy: Holiday House
- Visit Newport Beach: Holiday House Gallery
- Visit Newport Beach: Carols & Cocoa
Help us out, Newport.
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