Let a local show you around.
The places locals actually go, from the pier to the harbor. We’re adding to this guide all the time, so check back, and tell us what we’re missing.
Newport’s pier started out in 1888 as McFadden Wharf, a working landing for ships, and the version you walk today was rebuilt in 1940 after a 1939 storm wrecked the old one. It runs about a thousand feet out from Oceanfront and 21st Place. At its base, the Dory Fishing Fleet, a beachside cooperative founded in 1891, still pulls its boats onto the sand. Go early if you want first pick of the catch.
Just north of the pier, Blackies is the Peninsula’s longboard spot: small, clean days, slow glides and a lineup with an opinion about everything between sets. Paddle out on a mellow morning, or grab a spot on the sand and watch.
Inside the Balboa Fun Zone at 307 Main Street, this shop rents electric bikes for two hours or the whole day, with helmets and locks included. It’s the easy way to see the Peninsula past the parking lot: the boardwalk, Balboa Pier and the Wedge are all a short ride away.
Need a bike for the boardwalk? Newport Cruisers is near Newport Pier, with bicycles for rent, sale and repair.
A longtime Peninsula bar and grill near Newport Pier, known for burgers and an easygoing neighborhood feel.
A seafood stop by Newport Pier for oysters, fish and a casual meal close to the sand.
A Newport pizza standby for a quick slice or a pie to take back to the beach.
Walk Main Street and the surrounding blocks for the old-school mix of shops, food and Fun Zone stops that gives this end of the Peninsula its character.
A Balboa Village shop for sunglasses, sandals and beach-day essentials.
A neighborhood pharmacy in Balboa Village, handy for the everyday things a beach day can call for.
Inside the Fun Zone, this longtime bar is a place to catch a game, play darts or settle in after a day on the water.
A classic stop for saltwater taffy, nostalgic sweets and a treat to take along the waterfront.
A local deli and market on Balboa Boulevard for sandwiches, drinks and picnic supplies.
A casual Balboa Village restaurant for pizza, burgers and a relaxed meal near the Fun Zone.
A Balboa Village stop for Mexican favorites, a quick bite or a sit-down meal.
Thai food on East Balboa Boulevard, just a short walk from the village’s waterfront attractions.
A lively Main Street spot for Mexican food, drinks and watching a game.
A casual pizza option on the Peninsula for takeout or an easy meal after the beach.
A family-run Newport Mexican restaurant serving familiar favorites on the Peninsula.
Near Newport Pier, this neighborhood stop pairs fresh-baked cookies with ice cream and flavored milk.
A waterfront village on the harbor at Lido, with boutiques, cafes and restaurants set along the boardwalk and the boats. It’s an easy afternoon: walk the docks, sit somewhere with a view, and let the harbor do the rest.
Right next to Lido, Cannery Village is where Newport’s fishing boats once unloaded and the canneries did their work. The old warehouses and docks are restaurants and shops now, but the working-waterfront feel never really left.
At Lido Marina Village, Bear Flag serves fish tacos, poke, sushi and other seafood favorites in a casual counter-service setting.
Waterfront dining at Lido Marina Village, with a California-focused menu and harbor views.
A Cannery Village coffeehouse for espresso, breakfast and baked goods, with a long-running neighborhood following.
Seafood on the water in Cannery Village, with a patio and guest dock.
A small waterfront restaurant tucked along Newport Harbor in Cannery Village; book ahead for dinner.
A harbor-side restaurant near Lido Marina Village for sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes.
A landmark waterfront restaurant in Cannery Village, set in the neighborhood’s former cannery district.
Tap a break for the live cam & forecast
Wave sizes are estimates from an ocean forecast model. Tap a break for the full report.
All Newport Beach spots on Surfline ↗