newport beach
Here's a write-up from Latitude 38:Newport BeachA Great Summer DestinationNo matter if you're out-of-area folks who will be cruising around Southern California for part or all of the summer or among the many who will be heading down to San Diego in October for the start of the Ha-Ha, we're going to give you three good reasons why you should consider making Newport Beach your base for at least part of the time.1) An all but unlimited number of moorings for just $5/night.2) An all but unlimited number of moorings for just $5/night.3) An all but unlimited number of moorings for just $5/night.There are, of course, some limitations and restrictions on these moorings. For example, reservations are not accepted. Nonetheless, they have many vacant moorings, and we've never known anyone who has had to be turned away. You have to stop at the Orange County Sheriff's guest dock to sign up and possibly have your boat inspected to make sure it's seaworthy and won't be an abandoned derelict a week later. Boats can stay for five days, and quite possibly get two more five-day extensions, for a total of 15 days in any 30-day period. But the most unusual requirement of all, is that even if you're staying for longer, you can't pay for more than five days at a time, and you have to pay in person. This is only a minor annoyance if you're going to be on your boat all the time, but if, for instance, you have to return home to Northern California for a week, you need a friend in Newport to pay for you.Once you're checked in, you'll either get one of the five single moorings near the Coast Guard station, or be assigned a double-buoy mooring between the Coast Guard station and the Pavillion. There are facilities near the dinghy dock by the Coast Guard station. They're not luxurious, but they are free, cleaned regularly, and have always worked when we've needed them. The shower does have hot water, but we still can't figure out why the shower head is only high enough for an eight-year-old.It's actually unfair to focus primarily on the fact that Newport is able to accommodate an almost-unlimited number of transient boats and at a great rate, because Newport has a lot of other stuff to offer. For instance, with a harbor that's a little over three miles long and about .75 miles wide, and is home to 10,000 boats and 1,200 docks, there's lots of exploring to be done by dinghy. You'll see every kind of boat imaginable and some swanky waterfront digs. And thanks to dinghy docks scattered around the harbor, on some sides of which you're allowed to tie your dinghy to for up to 12 hours, it's easy to get to shore for other activities. Some of the fun things to do include walks or bike rides along the beach, through 'downtown' Lido Isle, and over on the Balboa Peninsula. The Newport and Balboa Piers are both worth a visit, and it's a nice mile-long, people-watching beachfront walk between the two. If there's a hurricane blowing in Mexico, you'll want to visit The Wedge, actually the west side of the west breakwater at the entrance to the harbor. You'll get ultra front row seats to some of the world's wildest bodysurfing.In truth, just sitting on your moored boat in Newport Harbor can be plenty entertaining, as during daylight hours and busy summer nights there are almost nonstop parades of sailboats of all sizes, fishing boats, mini-megayachts, sportfishing boats, kayakers, the ferry to Catalina, sea lions, boats racing and so forth.Given the 10,000 boats, Newport Beach is naturally home to every kind of marine product and service known to mariners. And virtually all of them are located next to the water or within close walking distance. In addition, the County Sheriff's department has always been a big help. If you're trying to tie to bow and stern moorings in a cross breeze with a strong current, you'll appreciate their help. And if you request help, they try to give it to you.Newport is also convenient for having friends fly down for a trip out to Catalina, as Southwest's flights from Oakland to nearby John Wayne Airport are frequent and reasonably inexpensive. As for Catalina, it's only 31 miles to Avalon. For those wanting to sail to Catalina, it's usually best to motor eight or so miles up the coast to Huntington Beach, where there is usually a stronger and more reliable afternoon breeze.Where to eat? Our favorites are El Faro, the Italian restaurant up at the very west end that stays open late. But it's quite a hike, so if you didn't bring a bike, you might cab it. The Thai restaurant near the Balboa Fun Zone isn't bad, and Hershey's Market on Balboa Island makes a great ahi sandwich for about $7. We use a Verizon card to get internet access on the boat, and that works well, but we'd be surprised if you can't borrow wifi signals from one of the many homes in the area. If not, there's Starbucks on Balboa Island. There are also two West Marine stores on PCH in Newport.Like all of coastal Southern California, Newport is subject to the June gloom. Indeed, it's often warmer in San Francisco than Southern California coastal cities during the month of June. July is usually better, while August and September are prime time. September is usually the best time of year, as the kiddies are back in school and the air and water are often the warmest.Newport Beach - it's fun, and just seems as though it should be expensive.