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Newport Beach Attractions
The city of Newport Beach comprises Balboa, Balboa Island, Bay Shores, Corona del Mar, Harbor Island, Lido Isle, Linda Isle and Newport Heights. A 6-mile beach lies along the peninsula between the bay and the ocean. Newport Harbor is a leading Pacific Coast yacht rendezvous; it has one of the largest concentrations of pleasure craft in the nation, with nearly 9,000 boats docked at the harbor.
The 's 3.5-acre grounds are a treasure where tall trees, lush plants and a few bright flowers line log-edged paths meandering deep into a wooded area representing several habitats from California. While the trails and the center's indoor exhibits are open Monday through Saturday all year, the butterfly house is open only April 15-Oct. 15. The ENC is at 1601 16th St., behind Newport Harbor High School; phone (949) 645-8489.
Balboa Fun Zone, at the Newport Bay end of Main Street on the Balboa peninsula, is an amusement area with a carousel, Ferris wheel, arcades, shops and eateries; as leases expire between 2006 and 2011, the establishments will close until only the Ferris wheel remains.
Balboa Pavilion is at the Newport Bay end of Main Street on the Balboa peninsula. Built in 1905 as an electric railway terminus, the pavilion now houses various businesses. Catalina Passenger Service has regularly scheduled trips to Catalina Island. Small ferry boats ply the channel between the peninsula and Balboa Island, and boat tours of the bay are offered. Davy's Locker Sport Fishing operates 2.5-hour whale-watching cruises Dec.-Mar.; phone (949) 673-1434.
Newport Harbor Cruise, Balboa Pavilion
400 Main St.
New Port Beach, CA 92661 USA Phone: (949) 673-5245
Newport Harbor Cruise, Balboa Pavilion, which departs from Balboa Pavilion at 400 Main St., offers 45- and 90-minute narrated cruises aboard the double-deck riverboat Pavilion Paddy.
Admission: Fare for the 45-minute cruise $12; over 54, $8; ages 5-12, $5. Fare for the 90-minute cruise $15; over 54, $12; ages 5-12, $5
Attraction Type: Sightseeing tours-Boats
Hours: Departures daily on the hour 11-5, mid-June to Labor Day; 11-3, rest of year. Closed Dec. 24-25
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
151 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.
New Port Beach, CA 92660 USA Phone: (949) 673-7863
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 151 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. (SR 1), is housed aboard the riverboat Pride of Newport. Museum exhibits reflect the history of Newport Beach and its harbor through memorabilia and photographs. Also displayed are navigational equipment and nautical art. A theater as well as exhibits and interactive nautical games are located in facilities in the nearby Fun Zone amusement park. Food is available.
Admission: Donations
Attraction Type: Exhibits & Collections-General; Museums; Ships/boats
Hours: Open Tues.-Sun. 10-5; closed major holidays
Newport Harbor Showboat Cruises
600 Edgewater Ave.
Balboa, CA 92661 USA Phone: (949) 673-0240
Newport Harbor Showboat Cruises leave from 600 E. Edgewater Ave.
Admission: Fare for the 45-minute cruise $12; senior citizens $11; ages 5-11, $5. Fare for the 90-minute cruise $15; ages 5-11, $5
Attraction Type: Sightseeing tours-Boats
Hours: A 45-minute cruise departs daily on the hour 11-7, Memorial Day-Labor Day; 11-4, rest of year. A 90-minute cruise leaves daily on the hour 11-6, Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day; 11-3, rest of year. Closed Dec. 24-25
Newport Sports Museum
100 Newport Center Dr.
Newport, CA 92660 USA Phone: (949) 721-9333
Newport Sports Museum is at 100 Newport Center Dr. This museum features 9,000 square feet of hundreds of sports memorabilia, including game-worn jerseys from Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Dr. J and Wilt Chamberlain, and autographed baseballs from every Cy Young winner. The downstairs is set up like a baseball park with actual seats from dozens of legendary ballparks such as Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field and Ebbets Field. Allow 1 hour minimum.
Admission: Free
Attraction Type: Exhibits & Collections-Sports; Museums
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 10-5; closed federal holidays
Orange County Museum of Art
850 San Clemente Dr.
New Port Beach, CA 92660 USA Phone: (949) 759-1122
Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Dr., offers exhibitions and programs focusing on California's artistic heritage and its provocative contemporary art. The permanent collection comprises more than 5,000 works with a concentration on the art of California from the early 20th century to the present. Food is available. Allow 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Admission $10, over 64 and students with ID $8, under 12 free; free to all Thurs.
Attraction Type: Art Galleries & Museums; Exhibits & Collections-Art; Museums
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11-5 (also Thurs. 5-8); closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
Sherman Library and Gardens
2647 E. Coast Hwy.
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 USA Phone: (949) 673-2261
Sherman Library and Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Hwy., is a 2.2-acre cultural center with a research library specializing in the history of the Pacific Southwest, and botanical gardens displaying tropical and subtropical flora. The complex also has a touch and smell garden. Food is available Monday through Friday.
Admission: Admission $3; ages 12-16, $1; free to all Mon.
Attraction Type: Cultural centers/civic centers; Gardens; Libraries, Archives
Hours: Gardens open daily 10:30-4; library open Tues.-Thurs. 9-4:30. Closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve/Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center
2301 N. University Dr.
New Port Beach, CA 92660 USA Phone: (949) 923-2290
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve/Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center is at s.e. of SR 55 at 2301 N. University Dr., jct. Irvine Ave. The preserve is approximately 1,000 acres of wetlands and is considered to be one of the finest bird watching sites in North America. The interpretive center offers exhibits and interactive displays, as well as excellent views of the Bay. Allow 1 hour minimum.
Admission: Free
Attraction Type: Nature trails; Wildlife sanctuaries
Hours: Preserve open daily 7 a.m.-dusk. Center open Tues.-Sun. 10-4; closed holidays
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