Southern California's picturesque Newport Beach, only 20 minutes from Disneyland and the new Disney's California Adventure, offers families torn between a resort or theme park weekend getaway, the best of both worlds. 

Newport Beach, aptly called "The Colorful Coast," overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It consists of a number of unique villages chockfull of sites, sounds and attractions to suit the entire family.

Spread over 36 miles, areas of interest include Balboa Island, Balboa Peninsula, Cannery Village, Mariner's Mile, Corona Del Mar, Fashion Island, Newport Center, Lido Marina Village and Back Bay Reserve.  Although you can get a general overview in one weekend, you'll want to visit again to partake in all that is offered.

On our weekend getaway, we focused on Newport Beaches' many outdoor adventures, although we did sneak away to the Disney parks, and to do some serious shopping at as many of the 200 stores in Fashion Island as we could fit in when we weren't dining, going to movies, or riding the new Venetian Carousel. We probably did try to cram in too much in a few short hours.

Exploring By Land or Sea

Back to the Outdoors! You can rent bicycles throughout the area to explore places like the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, a 700-plus acre coastal wetland that is home to 200 rare and endangered bird species.  After checking out the quaint shops and restaurants on Balboa Island, a ferry can take you across to Balboa Peninsula and for some real excitement at the Fun Zone.  There's an old-fashioned carousel, Ferris wheel, bumper cars and a kid's climbing area.  Be sure to drop by the local branch of Cold Stone Creamery to create your own blended ice cream flavor.

Boating of any kind is popular in the region, especially in the flat bottom electric boats that hardly leave a ripple on the bay. Ask your hotel for the local "Duffy Boat" rental concession and take the whole family out in one.

Sailors will be interested to know that each year, Newport enthusiastically hosts the Newport To Ensenada International Yacht Race from Orange County to Mexico, spanning the last weekend in April.  It's very colorful and great fun to watch from the pier.

For an unusual sea-escapade, families can take a gondola ride from Adventures at Sea. You may want to give them advance warning of your party, as these traditional Italian style boats are usually booked by honeymooners and they provide chocolates, champagne and romantic music for the usual guests. 
 

Accommodating the Hungry & Tired

After a day at sea your family can eat casually at famous Ruby's Diner on Balboa Pier (where French fries come in a car-shaped container) or back at one of the 40 restaurants at Fashion Island -- though they can't touch the view.

Fine dining can be had at traditional favorites The Arches, and Amelias Seafood & Italian Restaurant. 

A range of accommodations are offered, from budget boutique hotels like the waterfront and moderately priced Best Western Newport Beach Inn (949/642-8252) to the sprawling Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa (949/640-4000), one of a whopping 74 Marriott branded hotels in this part of southern California. (Marriott fans can check out the moderately priced Residence Inn nearby too.)

The posh new Fairmont Newport Beach (800/441-1414, 949/640-4000) offers a multi-million dollar makeover of all 444 guestrooms, including 56 family-welcoming suites. Every room is restyled in rich woods and -- in keeping with the trend toward ultra-luxury accommodations -- has flat panel TVs, Bose DVD players,  high-speed Internet access, European linens, and fancy toiletries. All of the local hotels mentioned offer private babysitting and occasional family programs, depending on season.

Newport Beach is minutes away from Orange County's John Wayne International Airport, 50 miles south of Los Angeles and 85 miles north of San Diego.  For more information contact the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau (800/94-COAST).