Newport Beach [1] is a city famous for its lavish lifestyle and beautiful surroundings. Television enthusiasts will recognize the resemblance to "The O.C." television show, and not just by virtue of its location in Orange County, California. The American city has its share of "beautiful people" often with wealth to spare. Yet it's very possible to enjoy life in Newport Beach amongst the millionaires on a low, low budget. The area code for all of Newport Beach is 949.

Get in

• By air, via John Wayne Airport (SNA), conveniently located on the border of Newport Beach, Irvine, and Santa Ana. Or from Los Angeles International (LAX) and Long Beach (LGB), take the 405 freeway south to the 73 freeway south.
• By rail, AMTRAK has a stop in Tustin and Irvine. From there you can take a cab or the local OCTA bus routes service Amtrak stations at certain times. Consult the OCTA website for more.
• By car, take Highway 1 or the 405 freeway to the 55 or 73 freeway south. The former will take you to West Newport and the latter to the East side of the Newport Bay.

Get around

• Orange County Transit Authority has a transit center in Newport Beach where routes 1, 55, 57, 75, 76 and 79 converge at Fashion Island. Routes 1, 47 and 71 serve the beaches and the Balboa Peninsula.

See

True to its name, any visit to Newport is incomplete without a trip to the beach. The city is nestled on the Pacific Ocean and is a favorite amongst surfers.

• Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, 949-759-1122 email:info@ocma.net fax: 949-759-5623, . Tues - Sun: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thurs 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. [2] Specializes in contemporary art and houses rotating special exhibitions. Adults $10, Students (w/ valid ID) & Seniors (65+) $8, Children under 12- free.

• Muth Wetlands Interpretive Center- Located on Irvine Avenue, and facing out onto coastal wetlands, this is an excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of Pacific Coast wetlands. There is an excellent film presentation, and many exhibits of interest to young and old.

• Newport Beach Nautical Museum, Currently located in a life-sized reproduction riverboat, this gives an introduction to the extensive maritime history of this area.

Do

• Newport Beach Film Festival - The 10 day festival features over 300 short and feature length films. 253-2880; e-mail:info@newportbeachfilmfest.com; Starting at $10; April

• Balboa Island Art Walk - Over 100 artists showing and selling their work, ranging from paintings to sculptures to jewelry. Along South Bayfront Drive on Balboa Island. Free. May

• Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series - Summer long Jazz music festival on two stages. Held at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. Recorded Information: 729-6400; e-mail:promoter@jazzconcerts.com; $40-$175. May-October.

• Newport Dunes 4^th of July Celebration - A day long celebration with carnival games, crafts, face painting, music by a DJ, hula-hoop and limbo contests, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments and drawings by a caricaturist. A fireworks show occurs over the lagoon after dark. Held at the Newport Dunes Resort. 1131 Back Bay Drive. $25. Fireworks show can be seen for free from outside the Resort. July 4; 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM with fireworks show at 9:00 PM.

• Lido Yacht Expo - Exhibit of the latest and greatest in yachts. The event takes place at the Lido Marina Village. 757-5959, e-mail:boatshow@goboatingamerica.com. Adults - $10; 12 and under - free. September.

• Taste of Newport - Annual food, wine and music festival featuring selections from Newport Beach restaurants. The festival is held on Newport Center Drive at Fashion Island. 729-4400, e-mail: info05@tasteofnewport.com. Presale - $17; at the gate - $20; Under 8 - Free. September.

• Catalina Island, For most of the year, there is daily boat service to Catalina on the Catalina Flyer, located on the Balboa Peninsula. Trip takes about an hour, and can frequently be rough. Remember to bring the Dramamine!!!

• Sandcastle Contest - Sand sculptures from novice to expert. The contest is held at Corona del Mar State Beach. Free admission for spectators. Fee for entrants. 729-4400. October.

• Christmas Boat Parade - Annual water parade of boats decorated with Christmas lights. The boats take a nightly tour of Newport Harbour on five consecutive evenings. 729-4400. Free viewing from most locations. Some restaurants and organizations have premium seating for a fee. See the website for more information and map of parade route. December.

Buy

• Fashion Island, The premiere shopping center in Newport Beach, this is a beautiful outdoor mall with great landscaping, and fountains of every decription. Stores include Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales's, Anthropologie, Barnes and Noble, Nike for Women. Restaurants include Cafe R & D (crowded, but good), the Neiman Marcus Restaurant (with a beautiful view towards the ocean), and ThaiFoon.

• Westcliff Plaza, This is the real Newport, as few tourists make it over here. Located near the corner of Westcliff and Irvine Avenue, this is a small, luxury mall, with ultra upscale clothes, furnishings, and services. Restaurants include Haute Cakes (Breakfast and Lunch only), Pizza Bakery, and Capri Blu.

• Crystal Cove, This is located on Pacific Coast highway in the southern reaches of Newport, called Newport Coast. Stop here on your way to Laguna Beach and find both chain and private retailers. This mall is breathtaking as it is located overlooking the ocean. Stop for a bite to eat.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• Holiday Inn Express, 2300 W. Coast Highway; 722-2999, fax: 631-5659, e-mail: salvadorp@dknhotels.com. Located on the Mariner's Mile area of Pacific Coast Highway. $79-$99.
• Little Inn By The Bay, 2627 Newport Blvd.; Reservations: 800-438-4466; local phone:673-8800, fax: 673-4943, e-mail: reservations@littleinnbythebay.com. Located on Balboa Island. $99-$199.
• Newport Channel Inn, 6030 W. Coast Highway; Reservations: 800 255-8614, local phone: 642-3030, fax: 650-2666, e-mail: innkeeper@newportchannelinn.com. Located on Pacific Coast Highway in the north-east part of Newport Beach near the border with Huntington Beach. $59-$199.
• Radisson Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd.; 833-0570, fax: 833-3927, e-mail: genr@radissonnewportbeach.com. 1/2 mile from the John Wayne Airport, near the business districts of Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. $99-$189, Suites $350.
• Balboa Inn, 105 Main Street, 675-3412, Toll-free: 877-BAL-BOA9, Fax: 673-4587, e-mail: info@balboainn.com. On the Peninsula. $139-$269; Suites: $299-$599.
• Best Western Newport Beach Inn, 6208 W Coast Highway, 642-8252, Fax: 642-2538. Across Coast Highway from the beach. $119-$259.
• Best Western Bay Shores Inn, 1800 W Balboa Boulevard, 675-3463, Toll-free: (800) 222-6675, Fax: 675-4977. Near the Newport Pier on the Pennisula. $199-$269. Suites: $219-$499
• Newport Beach Marriott, 900 Newport Center Drive, 640-4000, Fax: 640-5055.
• Newport Beach Marriott Suites, 500 Bayview Circle; 854-4500, Fax: 854-3937. $159-$289.
• The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, 1221 Coast Highway; 645-5000,, Toll-free:888-445-7153 e-mail: reservations@balboabayclub.com. Located on Mariners Mile. Special features: Barber/Beauty Shop on site, Bar/Lounge on site, Restaurant on site, Shops on site, Hot Tub on site, Sauna on site, Fitness Center on site, Bayfront Property, Full Service Spa. $245-$475. Suites: $800-$3000.
• The Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Drive; 759-0808, Fax: 759-0568. Across from the Fashion Island shopping center and within walking distance of the Orange County Museum of Art. $259-$495. Suites: $475-$495.

Get out