BEST OF Newport Harbor

Newport Beach has a very colorful history. The first stirring of commerce began when in 1870, a small stern wheeler from San Diego named "The Vaquero" made its first trip to a marshy lagoon to exchange lumber for hides, tallow, livestock and grain. James McFadden and other ranch owners in the Lower Bay decided from then on that the area should be called "Newport."

In 1888 James McFadden changed the isolated settlement by building a wharf that extended from the shallow bay of the peninsula to deeper water where large steamers could dock. Shipping activity increased dramatically, and in two years, Newport was known as a vibrant Southern California shipping town.

Development really started to pick up when Pacific Electric Railroad established itself in Newport in 1905. This resulted in connecting Newport to the City of Los Angeles by rail. Rapid transit brought camping families to the waterfront, and small hotels and beach cottages sprang up to cater to the emerging tourist industry. At about the same time, the McFadden brothers sold their holdings of Peninsula land. West Newport, East Newport, Bay Island and Balboa became vacation communities in the beach boom decade. In 1906 with a population of 206 citizens, the scattered settlements were incorporated as the City of Newport Beach. These early settlements soon filled in on the Peninsula, West Newport, Balboa Island and Lido Isle, developing from West to East.

Newport Beach is really made up of several communities. There are the business and shopping districts of Fashion Island, the quaint village of Corona Del Mar, the marine industry of Newport Harbor and the unique areas of Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula.

Newport Beach has one of the  BEST Climates in the world, with sunshine 342 days per year. The annual average temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Whether you are coming to shop, dine, play on the beach or just relax, Newport Harbor offers the BEST of everything. There are literally hundreds of shops and places to eat, drink, play and relax. You can choose from dozens of beachs to hiking trails to areas with both bargain and upscale shopping. The BEST of these establishments are listed below with detailed information on their products, services and menus as well as interactive mapping that will direct you to their front door.

For the BEST shopping, services, restaurants, entertainment, lodging accommodations, real estate information and community events, click on to the city of your choice below and start planning your trip to Newport Harbor.