Newport Beach is a far cry from the constant never-ending rush hour of Los Angeles with its immaculate wide avenues and splendid recreational areas. There is something for everyone, from a variety of water sports for beach buffs to glamorous upscale malls for avid shoppers.

lmmortalised by the hit television show The OC, Newport Beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Southern California. Located about 50 miles south of Los Angeles in Orange County, it has eight miles of picturesque beaches, several islands, a sizeable recreational harbour, and some of the finest shopping and cuisine in the region.

The city is a far cry from the constant bustle, fast pace, and never-ending rush hour of Los Angeles. The immaculate wide avenues, splendid recreational areas, and breath-taking ocean views give it a truly magical feel and quality. It offers something for everyone, from a variety of water sports for beach buffs to glamorous upscale malls for avid shoppers.

My favourite location in Newport Beach was the Balboa Pier, located on a scenic stretch of beach along the Newport Peninsula. The wood and steel structure was built in the early 1900s and it extends a good distance into the Pacific Ocean. Walking along the boardwalk, one can feel the powerful waves rolling under the pier and crashing onto the shore. Perched at the very end of the pier is Ruby`s, a popular 50`s style Diner that amongst other items serves mouth-watering burgers, fries, and sandwiches complimented by some of the best malts and milk shakes I`ve ever had.

The friendly staff and casual atmosphere prompted me to stay for lunch, considering the beautiful summer afternoon, I opted for  rooftop seating. I was rewarded with panoramic views of the sparkling blue ocean and the majestic Newport coastline. To my delight, I was also lucky enough to spot a pair of dolphins splashing playfully in the water just a few meters from the pier.

Tourists, locals, and recreational fishermen frequent the pier and it tends to get busy during weekends and holidays. The scenic views, friendly people, and relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect place to spend a lazy summer afternoon.

Balboa Island is another place definitely worth visiting. This manmade island was developed around the time World War I broke out, and while it is a part of Newport Beach, it maintains a unique character and charm. Quaint cottages and homes line the neatly mapped out streets, most of which are named after precious stones such as emerald, ruby, and sapphire. The island is connected to the mainland by road, but visitors can also take a pleasant five-minute ferry ride across Newport Bay.

I left my car in a beach parking lot near the pier and walked the short distance to the ferry dock. During the short ride across the bay, I learned that the ferry service has been operating since 1919. The vessel that I had boarded dated back to the 50`s and could accommodate multiple automobiles and dozens of passengers. The short ride was a charming experience, with spectacular views of the bay and surrounding areas.

The beautifully manicured gardens, small wedges of sand beaches, and stunning ocean views give Balboa Island an almost unreal, picture perfect feel. With some help from friendly locals, I made my way to Marine Avenue, where I spent a good a deal of time browsing through galleries and souvenir shops. An array of unique items such as hand-made kites, pottery, and paintings by local artists caught my interest.

Marine Avenue and the surrounding area also have a wide variety of restaurants, clothes stores, and specialty boutiques. Special events and activities such as the Balboa Island Parade and Christmas Boat Parade also take place on the island throughout the year. After a few hours of exploring, I wrapped up my island expedition by indulging in an absolutely delicious, frozen chocolate covered banana, a local specialty.

A short distance in-land from the Newport coastline is Fashion Island, an upscale open-air shopping centre that really cannot be described as a mall. Influenced by Spanish and Mediterranean styles, its charming walkways and spacious promenades are lined with retail outlets, art galleries, designer boutiques, and restaurants. Tastefully decorated pushcarts and vendor stalls are also scattered across the premises. A vintage carousel, musical fountain, Koi pond and an impressive movie theatre complete the perfect blend of a shopping and recreational atmosphere.

Not being a big fan of shopping, I was initially skeptical about this location on my itinerary, however it turned out to be well worth the visit. Even if you don`t plan to buy anything, simply browsing around this beautiful location is a pleasant experience, since it is a great place to relax and enjoy California`s coastal weather.

I began my visit with an exquisite cup of white chocolate from Teuscher Chocolate`s & Cafe, a gourmet Swiss Chocolate store that offers a wide assortment of tantalising chocolates, candy and beverages. The musical fountain, which operates at timed intervals was a treat to watch, and families with young children enjoyed the colourful carousel.

Since Fashion Island caters to the wealthy population of Newport Beach, including an A-list of celebrities, it is not surprising to find elite designer names and boutiques all over the mall. What caught my attention though were a number of unique specialty stores (clearly catering to an affluent clientele as well).

At the Build-A-Bear Workshop, children of all ages can create customised teddy bears by going through a series of stations where they choose, stuff and stitch their bears. The process concludes with dressing and naming their new toys. The Muttropolis Dog & Cat Boutique offers a wide variety of designer apparel, accessories, and toys for pampered pets. They also carry a complete selection of gourmet food and snacks for discerning canines and felines!

A number of art galleries are also present in Fashion Island, offering a wide range of work including original paintings and sculptures by some very esteemed master artists.

Newport Beach is most likely one of the most expensive cities in California. In posh residential areas, sprawling mansions line the streets of gated communities, and exorbitantly expensive cars are a fairly common sight. Luckily, you don`t have to be a millionaire or movie star to have fun in this beautiful city.