Visitors and residents alike come to California’s coastal towns to rest, relax, recharge, and enjoy the ocean, beaches, and all the fun activities and attractions the west coast has to offer year-round. While many visitors will dress in bathing suits and gather beach gear for a day full of water adventures like kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and more – in addition to all your boating adventures, some keep their feet planted on the ground building sandcastles, enjoying a walk or run on the sand, or experiencing summer boating in Newport Beach and the surrounding area. Land or sea, there are plenty of things to do and see during your summer trip to Newport Beach.

Balboa Island

The manmade Southern California island spears up from the waters of Newport Beach and is loaded with plenty of fun for everyone. Enjoy upscale shops and restaurants, as well as an amusement park! Balboa Pier is a great place to spend some time, and anglers of the group will want to pack their gear for the area’s prime fishing.

Charter Tours

Take a break from the helm, keep your boat docked at Carefree Boat Club, and let someone else take the helm and sit back and relax. You can charter tours for a number of activities in the Newport Beach area, including snorkeling, SCUBA diving, whale or dolphin watching, or a sunset cruise with your sweetheart for a special date. Whatever type of tour you choose, make sure to bring your camera to capture the breathtaking pictures of ocean, shoreline, and the majestic sea creatures you’re sure to encounter.  Once someone has shown you the ropes of the best places to explore, set sail from your slip at Carefree Boat Club and make your own memories!

Corona Del Mar State Beach

The park is open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily and offers a number of activities, including fishing, swimming, walks on the half-mile long sandy beach, surfing, snorkeling, and more. If your pup made the trip with you, dogs are allowed from park opening to 4:30 p.m. daily. After 4:30, they are not allowed on the beach or any beachfront sidewalk. For your convenience, beach wheelchairs are available on a first come, first serve basis and can be checked out from the lifeguard headquarters located at the base of the pier.

Dock & Dine

Whether you need a break from navigating the high seas or need to fuel up before heading out, there are plenty of dining options in Newport Beach and the surrounding area. You can choose to pull up to the dock and get out for a sit-down meal inside the venue, or you take advantage of the many restaurants of the area that participate in the “dock & dine” experience: participating restaurants allow you and your crew to pull up and enjoy their delicious dining options right on board your own vessel! You can even place a to-go order and have a delicious fresh meal aboard while your adventure continues. There is a myriad of choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, and even a soothing nightcap after a day of fun on the water – just make sure to designate a captain for the way back to Carefree Boat Club. Enjoy seafood from Newport Landing Restaurant, American fare from the Harborside Restaurant, or your favorite Mexican dish from Sol Mexican Cocina, along with many others.

Endless Sun Surf School

Catch a wave when you learn to surf on your summer Newport Beach boating vacation. Carefree Boat Club may have the equipment, but you may need to learn how to use it first. Endless Sun Surf School has been teaching visitors and locals alike how to hang-10 for 60 years. They work with surfers of all ages and abilities on the fundamentals of surfing, so everyone can enjoy the sport along one of California’s best beaches. You’ll learn from CPR-trained teachers who are also professional surfers themselves. Their in-depth knowledge of the sport, combined with a passion for teaching and passing on the joy of surfing make learning to surf with them fun and maybe even easier than you thought it might be. Lessons are offered every day – that’s 365 days a year – for everyone. Both private and group lessons are available.

Fishing

Fishing and boating go hand-in-hand, and the waters of Newport Bay and the deep sea beyond are filled with your next great fish story. Set sail in search of California halibut, a number of different species of bass, rock cod, sculpin, and more. After you dock for the day, take your catch home to prepare and grill up for a tasty meal. Don’t forget to secure a California fishing license before heading out.

Fun Zone Arcade & Game Room

Challenge each other on a mix of modern and “old-school” games that everyone can enjoy. Compete at games of Skee-Ball, Deal or No Deal, and a myriad of others to pass the time in an arcade that’s been around since 1936. There is no admission fee, and you can also wander in and out as you explore the surrounding area on a break from the water.

King’s Eye Escape Room

Spend 60 minutes of your Newport Beach summer boating respite with some onshore activities. Work together with your group to solve the clues and break out of the room in 60 minutes or less to win. Rooms are ranked by difficulty and the number of people needed to solve the puzzles that set you free. Book online for your group of less than ten participants. Only one group is allowed to wait in the lobby, so come close to your appointment time to avoid having to wait outside or in your car.

Newport Beach

Set aside some time to hit the beach that bears the town’s name. Newport Beach and its pier are the perfect places to hang out and enjoy sun and fun when you’re not out on your boat. There is seating along the pier to relax and enjoy the scenery or go fishing. Walk to the end of the over 1,000-foot pier and back for some exercise or pack a picnic to enjoy on the sand.

Newport Beach Vineyards and Winery

For over 20 years the vineyard has been growing, harvesting, and maturing their own award-winning wines, and they do it right on the property in Upper Newport Bay. Over 1,200 vines help create the many delicious offerings, and you’ll have to visit to find out which red, white, rose, or other selection from their Estate Collection will pair best with your next meal.

Newport Dunes Aquatic Park

Boaters never miss a chance for fun on the water, whether it’s in the boat or not. The Newport Dunes Inflatable Waterpark is available each summer starting Memorial Day weekend. There is a myriad of inflatable bridges, slides, climbers, trampolines, and more to keep everyone busy. A life jacket is required for all guests regardless of age or swimming ability and is included in the cost of admission. Admission is good for one hour of play time at the park. Children under eight need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian age 18 or older. For their own safety, it is not recommended for children under five to use the inflatables. Don’t worry, you do not need to be a guest of the Newport Dunes Resort to enjoy the water park.

Orange Coast Winery

The adults-only activity is a fun way to relax and unwind after a day on the water, as well as get a taste California’s best. The local boutique winery in Newport Beach uses local grapes from Temecula Valley, Paso Robles, and Lodi, California. Check out their website for details about on-site tastings or events or pick up a bottle to indulge in during a meal at your accommodations.

Parasailing

Combine boating and air travel in one experience! Keep your own boat docked at Carefree Boat Club and head out for the adventure of a lifetime. Take off for an exhilarating flight from the deck of a USGS-approved and specially designed parasailing boat. Head up, up, and away into the blue skies above Newport Beach. Keep your eyes peeled and trained on the water below for glimpses of dolphins, whales, and other sea creatures, but you’ll also be marveling at the 360-degree view you won’t get anywhere else. Go up alone or with one or two friends. You can choose to stay dry or go for a little dip in the water to cool off before going up again and coming down safely on the platform. Ask about photo packages and GoPros so you can record the experience from your own point of view in the harness.

Pirate House

The perfect way to bring land and sea together is to see where the pirates live. Pirate House is actually a private residence in the Newport Beach area. What makes it a fun attraction to visitors and locals alike is the many pirate statues and pirate-themed pieces and décor throughout the property. You’ll spot pirates hanging out on the balconies, guarding the perimeter, and even keeping watch out with their eyes trained toward the sea. There are pirate flags waving from the boats, a boat with a cannon, and one pirate even lifts his telescope to keep watch on the goings-on beyond the home! Don’t be afraid to get out and take pictures with the pirates and other zany characters on the property. There’s also a group of pirates hanging out at the end of the dock playing cards for treasure.

Sea Life Watching

Set sail in search of sea life. There are several companies that take you out into the Pacific in search of a glimpse of sea life including dolphins, whales, and more. If your boat can handle the rougher water, you can take your own tour if you wish. If you’d rather, you can book a private tour for you and your group or share the experience and make new friends when you book with a charter company.

Spa Day

After a day on the high seas, which may have included rough waters – you deserve to rest, relax, and unwind. You’ll find several spas and salons in Newport Beach and the surrounding area that have just what you need to relax and unwind. Choose your spa and treatments, including manicures, pedicures, facials, wraps, scrubs, and more. You can leave with a new look from select spas that includes a new hairstyle and professionally applied makeup. Even the guys can relax with treatments designed especially for them like a men’s manicure, facial, and other services created to meet their needs. Make sure to ask about any Covid restrictions when booking your appointments.

Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve

The area is made up of the bluffs surrounding the bay and is home to a number of sensitive species, including the California Gnatcatcher, San Diego Cactus Wren, and Burrowing Owl. The grassland and coastal sage scrub of the area is also renowned as one of the finest bird-watching sights in all of North America, boasting over 35,000 migrating birds visiting annually. You can also while away the time biking, horseback riding, jogging, or admiring the area from the scenic overlook. The area is open daily 7 a.m. – sunset for your enjoyment, and the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center is open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. There are no admission fees.

Water Activities

Summer boating in Newport Beach is more than just driving around the water in a vessel. There are activities and fun that take place in and on the water, while you’re out enjoying the waves. Drop your anchor and enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling, or SCUBA diving. Try your hand at wakeboarding, water skiing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, or even surfing. Ask about water toys like inner tubes and other inflatables to add to your vessel, as well as jet skis for your ideal time on the water. Make sure your licenses or certifications are up to date for activities like jet skiing or SCUBA diving before striking out on your own.

Summer Fun in Newport Beach

Have your boating bases covered, along with some others you might not have thought of, when you enjoy a membership to the Carefree Boat Club. There are locations all across the U.S., including the newest one in Newport Beach. We have the boat you need when you need it: avoid the hit-and-miss availability of small rental companies, as well as the hassles like storage, maintenance, trailering, covering, cleaning, or extra fees like insurance and mooring that come with owning and transporting your own vessel. Reserve a boat at our Newport Beach location and it will be ready for your use each time you show up at our marina during your reservation period.

Contact us today!