8 of the best things to do in Newport Beach
Set between long stretches of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged San Joaquin Hills, Newport Beach embraces the same laid-back lifestyle as its neighbouring Californian beach towns but is set apart by a distinctly upmarket feel. It was the setting for The OC, the early 2000s cult series about a well-to-do Orange County community, and you'll find stately mansions, boutique stores and restaurants serving seafood towers. But there's also whale-watching in the Pacific, a legendary surf break creating 30ft waves and a bohemian district of driftwood homes. The city is set a little over an hour's drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego, making it an ideal stop on a Southern California itinerary. Go whale-watching in the Pacific Ocean
Newport Beach is one of the best places in the US to go whale-watching. It lies along a key migratory route for several whale species, as well as near the Newport Submarine Canyon and continental shelf, which fuel a rich marine ecosystem and make for ideal feeding grounds.
Newport Coastal Adventure offers high-speed rigid inflatable boat tours into the open ocean for small groups, led by expert guides. Depending on the season, sightings may include gray whales (winter to spring), blue whales and humpbacks (spring to autumn) and even the occasional orca (year-round). Common dolphins are frequently spotted racing alongside boats in large playful pods, and bottlenose and Pacific white-sided dolphins make regular appearances. Cruise along Newport's harbour
The harbour is one of the city's defining features, stretching more than three miles from the Pacific Ocean into the calm waters of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Reserve, known locally as the 'Back Bay'. It's lined with elegant homes, many with private docks, and several artificial islands, including village-like Balboa Island and exclusive Lido Isle. Explore it with an electric boat rental from Duffy. You can picnic aboard or dock at waterfront restaurants such as Lido Bottle Works, which is run by locals and serves craft beers and a tapas-style menu. For something more exclusive, Balboa Bay Resort offers a two-hour sunset cruise aboard a 42ft yacht, complete with a captain, seafood and Champagne. Step back in time at Crystal Cove Park
Just down the Pacific Coast Highway is Crystal Cove State Park, spanning 2,400 acres of backcountry and three miles of shoreline. Along one of its most scenic waterfront stretches lies the Historic District, 46 beachfront cottages built between the 1920s and 1940s. It was once an enclave for artists, surfers and free spirits, who constructed homes from salvaged wood and even discarded film set materials. To preserve the area, the State of California purchased the land in 1979 and led a decades-long restoration project. Stays are available through the Department of Parks and Recreation; don't miss the warm beignets at Beachcomber Cafe or the daily, 5pm hoisting of the 'martini flag'. The Historic District was built between the 1920s and 1940s. It was once an enclave for artists, surfers and free spirits, who constructed homes from salvaged wood and even discarded film set materials. Photograph by Crystal Cove Conservancy Go shopping at Fashion Island
Located a 10-minute drive from the harbour, Fashion Island is an open-air retail centre that's home to high-end boutiques and department stores. A standout is the multi-level Restoration Hardware Gallery, an exhibition-like space for luxury home furnishings, with a rooftop terrace offering sweeping views of the coastline. Alternatively, explore the Lido Marina Village, a waterfront neighbourhood where narrow streets are lined with stylish cafes and independent boutiques. Clare V is known for effortlessly chic clothing and accessories, while Aloha Collection — a Californian brand with Hawaiian roots — specialises in splash-proof travel bags. The marina-facing restaurants here include an outpost of Nobu and Malibu Farm, a Southern California-founded spot that celebrates organic, farm-to-table ingredients. Cycle the Newport Beach boardwalk
For a front-row look at the city's beach culture, follow the boardwalk, a three-mile paved path along the Balboa Peninsula south of the main harbour. With its flat terrain and scenic views — stretches of sand on one side and beach cottages, surf shops and cafes on the other — it's ideal for exploring on two wheels. Rent an electric bike from 20th Street Beach and Bikes, then head south towards Newport Beach Pier. Just beside it, Dory Fleet Fish Market — operating since 1891 — sells black cod, lobster and spider crab straight from the boats. Before looping back, veer off to the Balboa Fun Zone for a ride on the vintage Ferris wheel and a frozen banana from Sugar 'n Spice. Dine on the catch of the day
With its Pacific location, Newport Beach is home to exceptional seafood dining. Set in a historic fishing building, The Cannery serves the likes of blackened wahoo tacos and lobster rolls, plus meats like Wagyu beef. Set Steak & Sushi at the Pendry hotel attracts a sophisticated crowd with dishes like bluefin tuna pizza on a crisp tortilla base with ponzu aioli, while RH Ocean Grill at Fashion Island also impresses, serving seafood towers in a glass-roofed garden. Alternatively, The Mayor's Table at boutique Lido House hotel delivers sophisticated dishes such as Dungeness crab pasta with wild mushrooms and garlic cream sauce, or Wine Country lamb with carrot puree and dukkah spice crumb. After your meal, unwind with drinks at the rooftop bar, a popular weekend hangout. With its Pacific location, Newport Beach is home to exceptional seafood dining. Photograph by Visit Newport Beach Watch legendary surfing at The Wedge
To witness some of California's most legendary surfing, visit The Wedge at the southernmost tip of the Balboa Peninsula. This famous break was created accidentally by a 2,000ft jetty, and it can produce waves that are up to 30ft high thanks to a wave reflection phenomenon: when a south or southwest swell hits, water pushes off the jetty and collides with incoming waves, forming soaring walls of water that attract skilled surfers from around the world. Visit in late spring or summer for the best conditions, and check The Wedge cam for updates. Inspired to get into the water? Surf schools along the Balboa Peninsula like Endless Sun offer beginner-friendly lessons and board rentals. To witness some of California's most legendary surfing, visit The Wedge at the southernmost tip of the Balboa Peninsula. Photograph by Visit Newport Beach Los Angeles and San Diego international airports are both a little over an hour's drive away. Although some neighbourhoods are walkable and bike-friendly, Newport Beach is a spread-out coastal city, so renting a car is advisable if you want to make the most of your visit — whether you're heading to nearby beaches, shopping districts or scenic hiking trails.
Stay at Lido House, a chic boutique hotel on Lido Isle, steps from Lido Marina Village and close to the Balboa Peninsula. Designed to resemble a stylish beach house, the hotel's 130 guest rooms reflect its laid-back waterfront setting, with nautical touches and bright, modern interiors. There are also five cottages, each individually furnished by a Newport Beach designer. Rooms start from $393 (£293) and include perks such as beach gear, a local shuttle, surfboard and bike rentals, and a chauffeur service within a five-mile radius.
This story was created with the support of Visit Newport Beach. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
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National Geographic
8 hours ago
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Find a new reverence for Rome on a thousand-year-old pilgrimage to the capital
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). It's holy week and music is rising from the Chiesa di Santa Maria. First comes the slow sigh of baroque strings, then a wash of operatic harmony as a soprano and alto plunge into the opening lines of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. Outside, a blood-orange sun is slipping behind the sage hills surrounding Vetrella, throwing a square of sunlight onto the church's frescoed walls: a honeyed beam that writes life into the eyes of every painted saint and martyr. I'm coming to the end of my first day on the Via Francigena and already I'm getting a sense of the trail's strange power — though I'm 12 miles closer to Rome than I was this morning, I appear to have stepped further back in time. In many ways, it stands to reason. After all, I've spent the morning tracing one of Lazio's ancient holloways — the sunken roads etched by the Etruscans sometime between 800 and 300 BCE and deepened over the centuries by the footfall of Roman legions, Frankish knights and modern-day pilgrims. After the concert, the congregation spills onto the lawn, where I get talking to blue-eyed Tiziano, who's travelled from the nearby town of Bracciano to be here. 'The springs surrounding this place made it a site of pilgrimage long before the church was built,' he explains, 'and yet most people pass it by without even noticing. For me, it's an overlooked masterpiece.' The same could be said of the Via Francigena itself — a quiet backroad compared to the bustling pilgrim highway that's Spain's Camino de Santiago. The key difference is that the former didn't begin life as a pilgrimage trail, but rather evolved into one, its network of roads originally serving as arteries between the Roman Empire and northern territories like Britannia. The sunken roads etched by the Etruscans sometime between 800 and 300 BCE were deepened over the centuries by the footfall of Roman legions, Frankish knights and modern-day pilgrims. Photograph by Gilda Bruno By the Middle Ages, any pellegrino (pilgrim) worth their communion wafer could be found traipsing towards Rome, where the spirit of St Peter was said to suffuse every root and rock. For the next few days, I'll be following in the footsteps of one such wayfarer: 10th-century archbishop Sigeric the Serious, no doubt a notorious party animal. In 990 CE, he travelled some 1,200 miles from Canterbury Cathedral to St Peter's Basilica — by way of France and Switzerland — to collect his official garment from the Pope. Handily, he documented his return trip, providing a blueprint for today's official Via Francigena route. Tackled in full it's a mammoth 100-day trek, so many pilgrims choose to walk key stages. My own journey takes in the last 60 or so miles to Rome, a five-day hike through cavernous valleys, emerald forests and rarely visited hilltop towns. The route is liberating in its simplicity — so long as I make it to my B&B each night, I should reach the Eternal City just in time for Good Friday. The wandering monk Spring is a good time to be on the open road. Lazio is in the midst of a great transformation, the region's cobbled towns brimming with early artichokes, its boulder-strewn woodlands carpeted with anemone and pink cyclamen. Striking out towards the hilltop town of Sutri the following morning, I pass a gaunt, olive-wreathed farmhouse. The year's first swallows glide in and out, their long migration finally at an end. It's here I meet Brother Ambrose Okema, a Benedictine monk undertaking the Via Francigena by bike. For him, there's little difference between we pilgrims and the birds dancing above our heads, for we're all stirred to wander by the same invisible force. 'It's a call from within,' he says, beating a pulse on his chest. Dressed in Lycra and sat astride a gravel bike, he's a far cry from your stereotypical wandering monk: the solitary, staff-bearing pilgrim whose effigy graces every waymark along the Via Francigena. His companion Victor Hernandez, a stubbled Puerto Rican, shows me footage from morning Mass on his phone; a priest in Tyrian purple robes using a garden spray pump to douse the congregation with holy water. 'You've gotta love Italy,' Victor says, beaming. The last 60 or so miles to Rome are a five-day hike through cavernous valleys, emerald forests and rarely visited hilltop towns. Photograph by Gilda Bruno Tackled in full the Via Francigena is a mammoth 100-day trek, so many pilgrims choose to walk key stages. Photograph by Gilda Bruno We walk together for some time, descending into the Valle di Tinozza, where a jade stream guides us past rockfaces honeycombed with Etruscan tombs. Conversation flows easily on the road, and soon Ambrose is recounting his life story: the childhood in war-torn Uganda, his move to a monastery in America. I get the sense that this pair's pilgrimage is as much an act of friendship as it is of faith. 'I did the Camino de Santiago solo,' Victor tells me, 'so I knew I didn't want to do this trip alone. After meeting Ambrose at his monastery, it made sense to do it together.' That evening, with 14 miles under my belt, I drink a Campari in Sutri's main square, its baroque fountain trickling sapphire. Beside me, an elderly man with thick-framed spectacles is filling his pipe, eyes cast skyward as the rain clouds part. A passing friend berates him for staying out in such conditions. 'La pioggia lava tutto,' the smoker replies — rain cleans everything. His words are still with me two days later. They echo something Sigeric and his fellow medieval pilgrims must also have felt to be true — that in enduring the elements they were somehow cleansing themselves. Call it purification by suffering. From their howls of laughter, it's clear English pilgrims Maris Waterhouse and Sarah Thompson have no intention of suffering their way to Rome. 'We're not religious at all,' Maris tells me as we fall into step entering Insugherata Natural Reserve, a 1,800-acre patchwork of forest and farmland bordering Rome. 'Most of our lives are spent in the same routine — but this is something different.' With comically good timing, at that moment, a very large, very hairy wild boar emerges from the forest. I fleetingly wonder if he's here to enact revenge for last night's dinner, pappardelle pasta served with ragù di cinghiale, but he simply raises his snout, sniffs the air and trots off. Our friend's habitat slowly recedes, giving way to glimmering shopfronts and warm-lit cafes — every table adorned with some limp-limbed pilgrim unable to move another inch. Their reluctance is understandable, as the Via Francigena has one more challenge in store: Monte Mario, Rome's tallest hill. Praying for divine intervention, I crawl up its cobbled back; past silvery olives and flat-topped pines swaying in the afternoon breeze. I spot two peregrine falcons circling overhead, and then, quite without warning, catch sight of something I'd nearly forgotten: St Peter's Basilica, its gilded dome a second sun above the city's sweep of ancient spires. The final approach is like a dream, baroque avenues heavy with orange blossom giving way to the Renaissance splendour of St Peter's Square. Photograph by Gilda Bruno The final approach is like a dream, baroque avenues heavy with orange blossom giving way to the Renaissance splendour of St Peter's Square. At this point, Sigeric would likely have commenced the obligatory circuit of Rome's other holy places — a pilgrimage within a pilgrimage. But after a few moments of gazing at the basilica's gold-encrusted interior, Sarah's earlier words start ringing in my ears like a command: 'All I want from a trip like this is a long walk and a good meal at the end of it.' Within the hour I'm sat outside La Quercia, an osteria in Monteforte, stretching my legs beneath a table set with a bowl of smoky, parmesan-dusted pasta amatriciana. Dinner and a well-deserved rest. Some pleasures truly are eternal. UTracks' 10-day, self-guided Orvieto to Rome tour costs £950 per person, including B&B accommodation, meals and luggage transfers. This story was created with the support of UTracks. Published in the September 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
New York Post
15 hours ago
- New York Post
Military wife says American Airlines charged her $3,600 in ticketing error — and refused to refund her: ‘Huge weight on my chest'
This sky-high charge was hardly fare. A traveling mom says American Airlines bilked her out of more than $3000 following a ticketing error — and initially refused to refund her the money. The peeved passenger, known only as Katie, took to TikTok to tell the ticketing tale, publicly pleading for the carrier to make the situation right. 3 Military wife Katie claims American Airlines bilked her out of more than $3000 following a ticketing error. 'American Airlines accidentally charged me thousands of dollars, and now they're refusing to pay me back,' the Californian claimed at the outset of her viral video, which clocked up X views. Katie explained that her husband was in the military, and that she and her five-month-old baby had traveled to Japan to visit him there. Rather than obtain a return ticket, crafty Katie decided to book her flight back to America using airline miles gained through a credit card. 'I'm pretty savvy with using credit card points and airline miles, so I'd been checking the American Airlines site daily for an award ticket to open up,' she subsequently told the Daily Mail. 'When one finally became available, I booked it and immediately called American Airlines to add my five-month-old as a lap infant.' An airline employee informed her that she would have to pay an additional $386 fee for her baby, which she paid for over the phone. However, a receipt revealed that Katie was charged not just $386 — but also an additional $3,674 for 'a second full-price ticket under her name.' Katie called back and an American Airlines rep allegedly assured her that she would be refunded the $3,674.11 within a week. 3 Katie was allegedly informed by American Airlines that they could not refund her $3,674. Getty Images Upon check-in at Okinawa Airport, a Japanese gate agent was 'confused' by the fact that there were two tickets in Katie's name — the one purchased with credit card points and the $3,674 one processed in error. 'I had two tickets in my name, on the same flight, under the same confirmation code,' the mom said. Despite the gate agent 'assuring' the mom that she was using the award ticket, a refund never came through when she arrived back in the US. At home, Katie claims she spent close to '50 hours' on hold with various American Airlines staff who were unable to resolve the situation. After weeks of chasing up the airline, she was purportedly informed that she was ineligible for a refund because the Japanese gate agent had checked her in with the erroneous $3,674 ticket. 'I had this huge weight on my chest knowing a massive corporation had taken thousands of dollars from me, and it would keep me up at night,' Katie said — but saying she turned to TikTok in a last-ditch effort to try and get her money back. The public pleading worked — with the mom's video instantly going viral and eventually attracting American Airlines' attention. 'Boosting this for you! Never flying American Airlines after hearing about this,' one supporter vowed. 'You deserve your money back.' 'Not very 'American' of American Airlines to do this to a military mom who was traveling solo,' another said. 3 'Boosting this for you! Never flying American Airlines after hearing about this,' one supporter vowed. 'You deserve your money back.' AP Soon after, Katie received a call from the airline saying she would be getting a refund for the charge as well as a 7,500-mile bonus as an 'apology.' The 'vindicated' mom said it spoke to the power of social media to pressure companies into acting ethically. 'It's incredibly disappointing that such a large corporation can fail its customers this badly,' she stated. American Airlines told The Post in a statement: 'Our team has been in touch with this customer and offered her an apology, refunded her in full and offered her a gesture of goodwill.'
National Geographic
a day ago
- National Geographic
8 of the best things to do in Newport Beach
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Set between long stretches of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged San Joaquin Hills, Newport Beach embraces the same laid-back lifestyle as its neighbouring Californian beach towns but is set apart by a distinctly upmarket feel. It was the setting for The OC, the early 2000s cult series about a well-to-do Orange County community, and you'll find stately mansions, boutique stores and restaurants serving seafood towers. But there's also whale-watching in the Pacific, a legendary surf break creating 30ft waves and a bohemian district of driftwood homes. The city is set a little over an hour's drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego, making it an ideal stop on a Southern California itinerary. Go whale-watching in the Pacific Ocean Newport Beach is one of the best places in the US to go whale-watching. It lies along a key migratory route for several whale species, as well as near the Newport Submarine Canyon and continental shelf, which fuel a rich marine ecosystem and make for ideal feeding grounds. Newport Coastal Adventure offers high-speed rigid inflatable boat tours into the open ocean for small groups, led by expert guides. Depending on the season, sightings may include gray whales (winter to spring), blue whales and humpbacks (spring to autumn) and even the occasional orca (year-round). Common dolphins are frequently spotted racing alongside boats in large playful pods, and bottlenose and Pacific white-sided dolphins make regular appearances. Cruise along Newport's harbour The harbour is one of the city's defining features, stretching more than three miles from the Pacific Ocean into the calm waters of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Reserve, known locally as the 'Back Bay'. It's lined with elegant homes, many with private docks, and several artificial islands, including village-like Balboa Island and exclusive Lido Isle. Explore it with an electric boat rental from Duffy. You can picnic aboard or dock at waterfront restaurants such as Lido Bottle Works, which is run by locals and serves craft beers and a tapas-style menu. For something more exclusive, Balboa Bay Resort offers a two-hour sunset cruise aboard a 42ft yacht, complete with a captain, seafood and Champagne. Step back in time at Crystal Cove Park Just down the Pacific Coast Highway is Crystal Cove State Park, spanning 2,400 acres of backcountry and three miles of shoreline. Along one of its most scenic waterfront stretches lies the Historic District, 46 beachfront cottages built between the 1920s and 1940s. It was once an enclave for artists, surfers and free spirits, who constructed homes from salvaged wood and even discarded film set materials. To preserve the area, the State of California purchased the land in 1979 and led a decades-long restoration project. Stays are available through the Department of Parks and Recreation; don't miss the warm beignets at Beachcomber Cafe or the daily, 5pm hoisting of the 'martini flag'. The Historic District was built between the 1920s and 1940s. It was once an enclave for artists, surfers and free spirits, who constructed homes from salvaged wood and even discarded film set materials. Photograph by Crystal Cove Conservancy Go shopping at Fashion Island Located a 10-minute drive from the harbour, Fashion Island is an open-air retail centre that's home to high-end boutiques and department stores. A standout is the multi-level Restoration Hardware Gallery, an exhibition-like space for luxury home furnishings, with a rooftop terrace offering sweeping views of the coastline. Alternatively, explore the Lido Marina Village, a waterfront neighbourhood where narrow streets are lined with stylish cafes and independent boutiques. Clare V is known for effortlessly chic clothing and accessories, while Aloha Collection — a Californian brand with Hawaiian roots — specialises in splash-proof travel bags. The marina-facing restaurants here include an outpost of Nobu and Malibu Farm, a Southern California-founded spot that celebrates organic, farm-to-table ingredients. Cycle the Newport Beach boardwalk For a front-row look at the city's beach culture, follow the boardwalk, a three-mile paved path along the Balboa Peninsula south of the main harbour. With its flat terrain and scenic views — stretches of sand on one side and beach cottages, surf shops and cafes on the other — it's ideal for exploring on two wheels. Rent an electric bike from 20th Street Beach and Bikes, then head south towards Newport Beach Pier. Just beside it, Dory Fleet Fish Market — operating since 1891 — sells black cod, lobster and spider crab straight from the boats. Before looping back, veer off to the Balboa Fun Zone for a ride on the vintage Ferris wheel and a frozen banana from Sugar 'n Spice. Dine on the catch of the day With its Pacific location, Newport Beach is home to exceptional seafood dining. Set in a historic fishing building, The Cannery serves the likes of blackened wahoo tacos and lobster rolls, plus meats like Wagyu beef. Set Steak & Sushi at the Pendry hotel attracts a sophisticated crowd with dishes like bluefin tuna pizza on a crisp tortilla base with ponzu aioli, while RH Ocean Grill at Fashion Island also impresses, serving seafood towers in a glass-roofed garden. Alternatively, The Mayor's Table at boutique Lido House hotel delivers sophisticated dishes such as Dungeness crab pasta with wild mushrooms and garlic cream sauce, or Wine Country lamb with carrot puree and dukkah spice crumb. After your meal, unwind with drinks at the rooftop bar, a popular weekend hangout. With its Pacific location, Newport Beach is home to exceptional seafood dining. Photograph by Visit Newport Beach Watch legendary surfing at The Wedge To witness some of California's most legendary surfing, visit The Wedge at the southernmost tip of the Balboa Peninsula. This famous break was created accidentally by a 2,000ft jetty, and it can produce waves that are up to 30ft high thanks to a wave reflection phenomenon: when a south or southwest swell hits, water pushes off the jetty and collides with incoming waves, forming soaring walls of water that attract skilled surfers from around the world. Visit in late spring or summer for the best conditions, and check The Wedge cam for updates. Inspired to get into the water? Surf schools along the Balboa Peninsula like Endless Sun offer beginner-friendly lessons and board rentals. To witness some of California's most legendary surfing, visit The Wedge at the southernmost tip of the Balboa Peninsula. Photograph by Visit Newport Beach Los Angeles and San Diego international airports are both a little over an hour's drive away. Although some neighbourhoods are walkable and bike-friendly, Newport Beach is a spread-out coastal city, so renting a car is advisable if you want to make the most of your visit — whether you're heading to nearby beaches, shopping districts or scenic hiking trails. Stay at Lido House, a chic boutique hotel on Lido Isle, steps from Lido Marina Village and close to the Balboa Peninsula. Designed to resemble a stylish beach house, the hotel's 130 guest rooms reflect its laid-back waterfront setting, with nautical touches and bright, modern interiors. There are also five cottages, each individually furnished by a Newport Beach designer. Rooms start from $393 (£293) and include perks such as beach gear, a local shuttle, surfboard and bike rentals, and a chauffeur service within a five-mile radius. This story was created with the support of Visit Newport Beach. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
