The Newport Dunes Christmas lights in Newport Beach might be the most under-appreciated holiday light display around. My husband and I were in the area and wanted to check it out to see if it was worth bringing our kids back and/or recommending to you. We drove around all angles from outside the grounds of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. We could see the lights, but … [Read more...]
Beach Christmas Tree at Crystal Cove
The beach Christmas tree at Crystal Cove State Park does not disappoint. I'd seen photos from photographer friends and heard about this Christmas tree at the beach, but never visited until 2017. Now I think we're going to go every year! I hope you can see how magical it was from my UNEDITED photos! I did not change the colors or even crop these photos taken last year - it … [Read more...]
Channel Place Park in Newport Beach
Channel Place Park in Newport Beach is a small, hidden park just off Balboa Blvd behind the Jack in the Box at the corner of Coast Highway. It's not a destination park at all, but if you happen to be staying in the area and walking by it's worth a swing (especially if the weather is nice) and there are other friends already there playing! Location of Channel Place Park … [Read more...]
Sunset Ridge Park in Newport Beach
We pass Sunset Ridge Park in Newport Beach all the time while driving on Coast Highway between Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. Do you know where the Jack in the Box is at the corner of Coast Highway and where you turn onto the Newport Peninsula at Balboa Blvd? Well, diagonally across that huge intersection is a hill covered with drought tolerant plants. It almost look like … [Read more...]
Muth Interpretive Center and Upper Newport Bay for Families
The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center is right across from the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA and part of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. I wish the center was there during my college days as a Y lifeguard and swim instructor. I would have spent a lot of time there! The views are incredible and there's always wildlife to see. I like it for sunset viewing from the roof … [Read more...]