Places to Go

From beach cruisers and boogie boards to tandem bikes and low riders, families can enjoy a day skimming the surf or coasting the Newport Beach boardwalk on a variety of rentals. Special packages are available for families on a daily or weekly basis.

Besides taking the ferry to or from Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula, you can dine at tasty restaurants and shop, ride the Ferris Wheel or visit the pier (the first Ruby's diner location) and enjoy the beach area.

The Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society is a nonprofit organization formed by island residents. It is a place for visitors and residents to remember and enjoy the history of the island. Open Saturdays & Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

Skee ball, authentic arcade games for 25 cents and an ocean view can't get any better for a family looking for some good old-fashioned fun. Enjoy a day of arcade play on the Balboa Peninsula while taking in some ocean air. Winter hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Environmental Nature Center is home to 14 of California's native plant communities. The Discover Room is packed with cool things to touch and learn about.

This golden 5-mile stretch of beach boasts a multitude of activities. Surfers and patrons alike flock to this beach, often finishing their day with a night of casual dining on either the Newport or Balboa piers. Skate, bike and board rentals are popular, as is surfing off the jetty. Amenities include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, a bike path, volleyball courts, picnic tables and fire pits.

Experience the tranquility and see pelicans, terns and egrets during a canoe or kayak tour of upper Newport Bay. Kayak tours are offered Saturday mornings at the Newport Aquatics Center and on Sundays at Newport Dunes. Tours are led by a trained naturalist. Reservations required.

Take a walk down the historic boardwalk located at the Newport Beach Pier. You'll find a collection of unique shops and restaurants, as well as the scent of sea life and lots of fishermen spread waiting for a good catch.

This newly expanded aquatic park is open weekdays through October from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. There is an array of watercraft rentals, including giant inflatable sports novelties, a climbing dome, floating lily pads and a water trampoline. Another highlight is Mother's Beach, offering a mile-long stretch of sand along waveless waters of the Back Bay lagoon.

Fun, fitness and a little water is the perfect way for a family to enjoy their day. Kayaks, surf skis, wave skis and paddlers, old and new, can be rented for a cruise in the Newport Harbor. Beginning kayak classes are also available for two-hour sessions.

Frequent narrated harbor cruises offer the chance to catch views of the "homes of the rich and famous," as well as sea lions in their natural environment. Tours are available in 45- or 90-minute time frames, and children under 5 are free.

The Wedge is one of the most famous body boarding and bodysurfing spots in the world. The waters are rough and dangerous, but do come out to see the pros do their magic. Parking is free and amenities are available.