Newport Beach, Ca. Area Guide

Within the beautiful area of Orange County, California lies the world renowned city of Newport Beach. The 40 square mile area of Newport Beach is known for its air of "seaside sophistication," with its beautiful beaches, scenic views, and entertainment of all kinds. Comprised of several other well-known communities like Balboa Island, Corona del Mar and Newport Coast, the city of Newport Beach exemplifies the best in Orange County living. Don Thousand has been a life-long resident of the Newport Beach area and has extensive knowledge of this region and its surrounding areas.

NEWPORT BEACH HISTORY

When originally incorporated in 1906, Newport Beach was home to fewer than 400 residents. In 2006, marking the 100th anniversary of the city, Newport Beach had grown to just over 80,000 residents, a tremendous growth for an area that had its beginnings as a small shipping center and vacation resort. Long before the establishment of modern-day Newport Beach, members of the Tongva and Juane±o/Luise±o nations called this area home for thousands of years. After them came Spanish explorers, namely Jose Antonio Yorba, also known as Don Jos© Antonio Yorba I. Yorba first came to the New World 1769. Years later for his service, Yorba was awarded an enormous land grant from the Spanish Empire. The land grant was massive, covering some 62,512 acres, and contained many areas now known as Orange County, including Newport Beach. In 1870, engine-run cargo ships, most notably The Vaquero, a small stern wheeler from San Diego, began use Newport's harbor for shipping purposes. The captain of The Vaquero, Captain S.S. Dunnells, is credited with naming the area "New Port." In 1888, the McFaddens, two brothers and wealthy landowners, built a pier on the ocean known today as Newport Pier. These points in Newport's history have made the city what it is today. Today the city of Newport Beach includes other areas of historical significance, such as Newport Center, Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, Eastbluff, Harbor View, Lido Isle, Linda Isle, Spyglass Hill, Westcliff-Dover Shores and West Newport.

PARKS & RECREATION

Residing in the beautiful Orange County landscape has many benefits to residents of Newport Beach, granting them access to a plethora of outdoor entertainment and recreation. Whether it is the nearby towering Santa Ana Mountains to the lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean, Newport Beach citizens have been granted entrance to some of the most pristine and untouched lands anywhere around. The city itself provides outdoor leisure activity through its own Newport Beach Parks & Recreation Department. Newport Beach's park system totals 47 parks (27 of them public). In addition to park land, the Parks & Recreation Department maintains10 community centers, 30 playgrounds, 19 athletic fields, 18 tennis courts, 7 full basketball courts and 8 half-basketball courts. There is no shortage of recreational opportunities and facilities for Newport Beach residents! Read more about the various parks within Don Thousand's beautiful hometown.

Bonita Canyon Sports Park
Multiple barbecues, concrete picnic tables, and 2 large play areas, water fountains, 4 youth baseball/multi-purpose fields, and 1 full basketball court, 1 soccer field, 2 tennis courts.

Ensign View Park
Located near the Theater Arts Center, Ensign View Park has a spectacular view of the ocean and bay.

Galaxy View Park
Known citywide for its fabulous view of the Back Bay. Special events can be held with reservations.

Inspiration/Lookout Point Park
Perfect area for small weddings and other intimate gatherings, scenic views of the ocean make this area picturesque.

Peninsula Park & Field
Enjoy a summer picnic or other gathering here in Peninsula Park and Field, great view of ocean and beach with gazebo available for rental

For a list of parks in Newport Beach please click here

NEWPORT BEACH LOCAL EVENTS

Known for its strong sense of community spirit, residents of Newport Beach enjoy their California kinship through a variety of events and activities. The calendar year within Newport Beach is packed with a variety of events for those of all ages and all lifestyles. Take part in the City of Newport Beach Recreation & Senior Services Department's MLB Pitch Hit & Run Competition; this yearly competition presented by Aquafina showcases the pitching, hitting and other general baseball abilities of Newport Beach's youth. Or take part in the Corona Del Mar 5K run, now celebrating its 27th year, which takes contestants throughout many scenic locales in the area. And celebrate our nation's birth with Newport Beach's own 34th Annual 4th of July Celebration at Mariners Park, featuring food provided by local restaurants, carnival games, craft boutiques and activities for all ages. Read more about this and more events in Newport Beach, and see why Don Thousand exclaims, "Newport Beach has it all!"

MLB Pitch Hit & Run Competition (Presented by Aquafina)
The City of Newport Beach Recreation & Senior Services Department presents the "Aquafina Pitch, Hit, and Run" event at Bob Henry Park on April 27th 2008 at 12:30pm

Corona Del Mar 5K
27th Annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5K Race, 2Mile Fun Walk and 1K Kids Dolphin Dash
Presented by Coldwell Banker Previews International on Saturday, June 7.

Independence Day Family Celebration & Parade
The 34th Annual 4th of July Celebration at Mariners Park will be from 9:3010:00am at Mariners Drive and Commodore Road. Come join the celebration.

For more information on local events in the area please click here

NEWPORT BEACH MUSEUMS

Newport Beach is as much concerned with the preservation of its past, as it is with the vision of its future. Realizing that it is a society's responsibility to safeguard history for future generations to enjoy and learn from, Newport Beach is home to many museums and other historical sites. In addition to area history, museums in the area cover themes as diverse as nautical exploration, automotive transportation and sports. These sites showcase Newport Beach's unique historical involvement, not only within the California history books, but the nation as a whole. Please take some time and review the list of various museums in and around Newport Beach region.

Bowers Museum
The Bowers Museum is located in the historic region of Santa Ana and has organized some of the biggest and most culturally significant exhibits in Southern California history. The museum features six exhibitions in all and two wonderful gallery stores.

Marconi Automotive Museum
Ferraris, Formula Race Cars, Lamborghini's, Jaguars and many more cars call the Marconi Automotive Museum home. Tours of the museum are by appointment only.

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum features some of the best in maritime fun, including regular education programs and tours, a sport fishing simulator, a marine life "touch tank," and the tall ship LYNX which is open for dockside tours and sails.

Newport Sports Museum Foundation
Newport Sports Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of sports memorabilia ever assembled, with 15 themed rooms and over 10,000 items worn by the premier athletes of today and the past.

NEWPORT BEACH ARTS

Newport Beach prides itself on being a major contributor to the arts and culture scene within the Southern California area. The Newport Beach Arts Commission is a major proponent in the effort to make the arts a staple within the Newport Beach community. Not only is Newport Beach involved with the expansion of cultural expression, but Orange County as a whole has its own museum dedicated to expression and preservation of local art. The Orange County Museum of Art is dedicated to engaging diverse audiences by providing creative commentary and illuminating dialogue on issues in our society through the arts. Also committed to excellence in the performing arts, the Newport Beach and Orange County area is home to the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The Center provides troupes and actors from around the county and country a place to perform and practice their craft. Read more about these exciting spots and others within Newport Beach below.

Newport Beach Arts Commission
The Newport Beach Arts Foundation is dedicated to supporting, promoting and extending the cultural activities of the Newport Beach Arts Commission. The Newport Beach Arts Foundation is a private, non-profit organization.

Orange County Museum of Art
The Orange County Museum of Art is dedicated to engaging diverse audiences on issues in our society through the arts. The main facility is in the wonderful seaside town of Newport Beach.

Orange County Performing Arts Center
Orange County Performing Arts Center has public and private spaces available for gracious meetings, dining and special events. Perfect for the starting or establishing actor or troupe performance.

For information on Orange County or relocation information, please refer to Don's other website pages below.

Orange County
Don's Relocation Page

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