Orange County family guide
Things to Do in Newport Beach with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Newport Beach on the map
📍 Where Newport Beach is
Newport Beach sits in Orange County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: John Wayne / Orange County (~5 mi / 8 km). It's roughly 36 mi (57 km) from Downtown LA and 76 mi (122 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Newport Beach
Crystal Cove State Park
Tide pools, a historic beach cottage district, and bluff trails. The district's 46 rustic cottages, built as a seaside colony around Los Trancos Creek in the 1920s-40s, earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and several are now restored for public overnight stays. Time low tide and the kids will find crabs and anemones in the coves below the bluffs.
Free walk-in; parking $15
Sherman Library & Gardens
A walled, 2.2-acre botanical jewel box that opened in 1966 — koi and turtles glide through the Tropical Conservatory's ferns and orchids, butterflies drift past 20 themed garden areas, and a tea cafe offers a spot to rest. Small, shaded, and toddler-paced, it's marking its 60th anniversary in 2026.
~$5 adult; kids free-ish
Environmental Nature Center
A 5-acre campus of trails winding through 15 California native plant communities, tucked behind the city for a quiet, free nature fix close to the coast. From May through September, docents open the seasonal Butterfly House to point out the host and nectar plants that draw local butterflies.
Free (donation); butterfly house seasonal
Resort Day at Pelican Hill
For a true splurge: the famed circular Coliseum Pool — 136 feet across, lined with more than a million hand-cut glass mosaic tiles, and ringed by Roman-inspired colonnades — plus ocean-view dining and gelato carts. A spendy but unforgettable treat day, with views that sweep from the fairways to the sea.
Pool/dining day passes vary
Balboa Fun Zone & Ferris Wheel
A pint-sized bayfront boardwalk built in 1936 by Al Anderson around a 45-foot Ferris wheel and a small beach — the same wheel, rebuilt over the decades, still lights up the peninsula at night today. After changing hands several times, it remains a nostalgic mix of arcade games, harbor cruises, and the original frozen-banana stand.
Ferris wheel ~$5; arcade pay-per-play
Balboa Island Ferry & Frozen Bananas
Ride the tiny three-car ferry across the harbor, then stroll Marine Ave for frozen bananas and Balboa bars. A classic cheap thrill. The ferry has run continuously since 1919, when the first car crossed for a dime, under a franchise granted to the Beek family in 1922 that still operates it today.
Ferry ~$1.50/person; treats extra
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
A 1,000-acre back-bay estuary — the largest remaining natural estuary in Southern California — with flat trails along the 10.5-mile Back Bay Loop and kayak launches at Northstar Beach. Paddle past egrets and pelicans, then stop at the 10,000-square-foot Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for hands-on exhibits on the wetland ecosystem.
Free; kayak rentals extra
Corona del Mar State Beach
Soft sand framed by rocky jetties and tide pools, with fire rings for a sunset cookout. One of OC's prettiest family beaches. The 1,673-foot east jetty, built in the 1930s to make Newport Harbor's entrance navigable, tames the swell here, while the tide pools around the point at "Little Corona" hold anemones, starfish, and the occasional octopus at low tide.
Parking ~$15/day
Newport Pier & McFadden Square
Watch the dory fishing fleet, walk the pier, and rent bikes or surreys along the boardwalk — quintessential easygoing beach-town fun. Founded in 1891 at the base of the original McFadden Wharf, the Dory Fleet is the last beachside fishing cooperative of its kind in the country, with fishermen still rowing out each morning to sell their catch straight off the sand. The current pier dates to 1940, rebuilt after the original wharf was destroyed by a hurricane the year before.
Free (paid parking)Farmers markets in Newport Beach
Newport Beach Certified Farmers' Market
At the base of the Newport Pier in McFadden Square — combine fresh produce with a beach-and-boardwalk morning.
Corona del Mar Certified Farmers Market
Relaxed, family-friendly neighborhood market with produce, flowers, and hot food.
Festivals & annual events in Newport Beach
What Newport Beach is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Boo at the Bay: Family Halloween Party (Newport Beach)
OC Parks hosts a costume-friendly party at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center with spooky stories, crafts, science experiments, live animals and games. The Orange County Bird of Prey Center and Environmental Nature Center have booths. Tip: rain or inclement weather cancels it, so check OC Parks before you go.
Free (event and parking free)
Halloween Spooktacular at Mariners Park (9th Annual)
The city's free Halloween party has a trunk-or-treat area, a haunted walkthrough, carnival games, bounce houses, food trucks and pumpkin decorating while supplies last. Costume contest sign-up is at the city booth 3–4:30pm and judging starts at 4:45pm. Tip: parking at Mariners Park is limited, so walk or bike, and get in the haunted walkthrough line before it closes at 5:45pm.
Free (food for purchase)
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
A century-old holiday tradition where 100+ lavishly lit boats parade Newport Harbor — magical for kids and free from the waterfront.
Free to watch from shore
Fire & Lights Festival and Lighting of the Bay (Newport Dunes)
The 36th Lighting of the Bay floats 50+ holiday light displays on the waveless back bay. Fri–Sun evenings add fire-dancer shows, fire pits, photos with Santa, inflatables and a toboggan tunnel, and opening night on Fri Nov 27 has Santa switch on the lights around 6pm plus a holiday movie on the beach. Tip: closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day, weather can close it, and there is no ice rink this year.
Free entry; parking paid ($15 flat on opening night); inflatables and concessions extra
Corona del Mar Scenic 5K & 2-Mile Fun Walk (46th Annual)
Starts on the bluffs above Corona del Mar State Beach with a 5K, a 2-mile family walk, a 2-mile youth run and a 1K Kids' Dolphin Dash at 9am. Registration includes a shirt, bib, chip timing and a breakfast from the village restaurants. Tip: early-bird rates are cheapest, and walk-in registration is at the Oasis Senior Center the day before.
$35–$60 by event (kids 1K Dolphin Dash $35; 2-mile walk/youth run $40–50; 5K $50–60)
Free Concert at Marina Park: Diego's Garage
The Newport Beach Arts Commission hosts a free 90s alt-rock tribute set at the Marina Park Community Center on the bay. It is all-ages, first come first served, and no alcohol is allowed. Tip: bring low chairs or a blanket and use the playground next door to burn off wiggles between songs.
Local restaurants in Newport Beach
The Crab Cooker
A Newport institution since 1951 serving mesquite-grilled seafood on paper plates — casual, nautical, and easy with kids.
Sgt. Pepperoni's Pizza
Since-1976 scratch-dough pizzeria with an arcade — a classic family pizza night.
Mario's A Taste of Italy
Neighborhood Italian with pizza and pasta — a local family go-to.
Cappy's Cafe
Newport breakfast institution since 1982 with a kids menu and chocolate-chip pancakes.
Bear Flag Fish Co.
Counter-service sustainable fish market doing fresh tacos, poke, and sandwiches.
Wilma's Patio
Drewry-family-owned Marine Ave breakfast staple with fluffy omelets and pancakes, a must on a Balboa family day.
Free Range Cafe
Independently owned neighborhood cafe a block from the ferry, great for a relaxed family bite.
Shanghai Pine Garden
The only Chinese restaurant on Balboa Island, with affordable family-style lunch specials and classics like Mongolian beef.
Crystal Cove Shake Shack
Iconic 60-plus-year clifftop shack famous for date shakes and ocean views the kids will never forget.
Dad's Donut & Bakery
Original-home-of-the-frozen-banana institution serving chocolate-dipped Balboa Bars families have loved for decades.
Sugar 'n Spice
Classic Marine Ave stand also claiming the original frozen banana, a quintessential Balboa Island family treat.
Balboa Candy
Old-fashioned candy shop with one of the world's largest salt water taffy selections and tons of retro sweets.
C'est Si Bon
Longtime Newport French bakery loved for brioche, croissants, and European-style tarts and cakes.
Local shops in Newport Beach
Lido Village Books
Tiny beloved indie bookstore in Lido Marina Village with a curated selection for all ages.
Balboa Candy
Family-owned Balboa Island candy shop famous for saltwater taffy and in-house fudge.
Alchemy Works: Harbor House
Lifestyle and gallery boutique in an all-black 1940s house with heirloom jewelry and home accents.
Rye Goods
Local provisions and goods shop at Lido Marina Village.
Etc. Etc.
Seaside women's boutique, a Balboa Island staple for 30+ years.
Balboa Surf & Style
Surf-and-beach shop mixing brands with postcards, sand toys, surfboards, and skateboards.
hjom.
Home goods shop with furniture, lighting, candles, coffee-table books, and pillows.
Magnolia Charlie
Children's clothing boutique sourcing classic and chic European kids' styles.
The Persimmon Tree
Family beach-apparel store serving Balboa Island since 1965.
Seasonal & outdoors near Newport Beach
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Newport Beach.
More Orange County family guides
Newport Beach family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Newport Beach with kids?
Family favorites in and around Newport Beach include Crystal Cove State Park, Sherman Library & Gardens, Environmental Nature Center and Resort Day at Pelican Hill, and more. Our guide lists 9 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Newport Beach?
Yes — free family spots near Newport Beach include Environmental Nature Center, Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Newport Pier & McFadden Square. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Newport Beach?
Local, family-friendly spots in Newport Beach include The Crab Cooker, Sgt. Pepperoni's Pizza, Mario's A Taste of Italy and Cappy's Cafe, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Newport Beach guide cover?
Our Newport Beach family guide includes 9 things to do, 13 local eats, 9 local shops and 2 farmers markets — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Newport Beach
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Newport Beach on one map — then book on your favorite site.