Newport Landing Whale Watching has been offering whale watching cruises for over 20 years from Newport Bay. This spring is no exception. Join Newport Landing’s whale watching cruises offered daily and jump on the chance to take part in something spectacular. This spring, the California Gray Whale will make the longest mass migration of any marine mammal. As these gray whales migrate along the Orange County coast, Newport Landing Whale Watching will be offering multiple whale watching cruises daily from the Balboa Peninsula to view these giants. It is not uncommon to see 5 or more gray whales in a single whale watching cruise during this time!
Cruises will run until April 30, 2012. Cruise times are at 10 am and 1 pm on weekdays and 9 am, noon, and 2:30 pm on weekends. Prices are $30 for adults and $25 for juniors.
Feeling bummed because you’ll miss this great opportunity? Don’t fret. The annual “Summer Giant Blue Whale Migration” will be bringing thousands of blue whales to the waters of Newport Beach this summer/fall. Giant blue whales were once considered quite rare off southern California, but over the last five years this has changed dramatically with hundreds/thousands of giant blue whales spotted each year. These giants of the sea reach lengths of 100 feet and are the largest of all animals. Along with viewing these whales, the second largest whale in the world, the finback whale, has also taken to the waters of southern California during the same months as the blue whales. Giant pods of common and bottlenose dolphin are also very common with pods numbering in the thousands. These dolphin pods come within arms reach as they play along side the whale watching ship. Viewings are so good that there is a 96% viewing success rate and if nothing is viewed a free pass for another whale watching cruise will be offered. Over 2000 whales were viewed during the summer of 2011!
The summer/fall excursions will run from May until November daily at 9 am, noon and 3 pm (2 1/2 hour whale watching cruise). Prices are $30 for adults and $25 for juniors.
For more information on Newport Landing Whale Watching click here.


John Wayne Airport is located in the county seat of Santa Ana. The legendary actor lived in Newport Beach, which is located in the county, and the airport was named after him once he died in 1979. A large statue at the airport of John Wayne stands in the Thomas F. Riley terminal.
It was like Lite Brite on water as the 103rd Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade kicked off Wednesday in Newport Harbor with a little under 100 boats taking to the water.
Boats are given prizes based on their size and light display, these awards are given out Saturday evening and the boats will sail on Sunday with their award banners displayed.
One of the highlights of visiting Balboa Island is taking a walk around the Bayfront and passing all the beautiful homes. The Balboa Island Holiday Home Walking Tour is the perfect tour to finally see inside the homes you’ve walked past before.
There were three homes on Amethyst. One featured a Tiffany box blue door with matching Christmas tree decorated with Tiffany boxes and vintage 1930s décor. Volunteers greeted visitors at the door and in each room, but had to also manage crowd control as there was a number of people waiting in line to see the homes.
The parade begins after dark at 6:30pm and continues to 9:30pm. Boats travel from Bay Island around Newport Harbor through Balboa Island.
For the best chance at finding parking and a great viewing spot on the Bayfront arrive early and dine at one of the fine restaurants on Marine Ave. Pas Tu, Amelia’s and Ciao restaurants will be open during the boat parade and feature international cuisine perfect for a holiday meal before the show.
Thanksgiving played out on Balboa Island much like it did around the country, with friends and family gathering around tables filled with great eats, followed by naps and some football. Here, some took a walk around the island to work off calories and take a look at paradise. That last part of course is considered normal for islanders and nearby Newport Beach residents.
If memories of nostalgia and happy moments of yesteryear include ice cream treats and carousel rides on the Balboa Peninsula, then you’d better hurry back for one last… quick fix… hurrah of days gone by.
The carousel was built in 1951 and was at Santa’s Village in Scotts Valley, north of Santa Cruz, until being restored and placed in the Balboa Fun Zone in 1985. The new landlords plan to use the patio where the carousel is located for community events and educational programs, said museum President Rita Stenlund. The full plans for the soon-to-be-vacant space will be unveiled at a Newport Harbor Nautical Museum event Oct. 22.
If Palm Springs and Palm Beach were to have a baby (hey! It could happen), it would look something like Ornate, a rather new and colorful home boutique. Upon entry you are surprised at how small it is, but mostly how colorful and interesting the store is. Their furniture and accessories are inspired by the 1950s and 60s – with geometrical prints, and pops of orange and turquoise throughout. Although the store is small in size, customers can browse through a large catalog of goodies that can be special ordered. For those interior design buffs, it is like a mini version of Room Service and Jonathan Adler in Fashion Island.
This store has two front entrances, and rightfully so, they have too much to display for just one. Shirley’s Heart is an island paradise of tea towels, candles, wall art, novelty napkins and any other compactable accessory you can fit in your home. The boutique offers items for the home that give it the finishing touch – that USC napkin for under your martini or the “Where doggy goes, nothing grows” sign for your garden. Shirley’s is a great place to get custom throw pillows for your beachside cottage. You can find them here with maps of Balboa Island embroidered on them.
One of the most iconic home stores on Balboa Island, Island Home is the epitome of fine island living. Many of the accessories you’ll find also at Roger’s Gardens, so you know their home selection is top notch. There is a wide array of design styles at Island Home. In addition to the usual island décor, you can find French-inspired accessories, Americana like rooster themed plates and plenty of holiday themed decorations. It’s not all serious at Island Home though. A humorous tea towel that reads “This home is protected by Killer Dust Bunnies” is an unexpected, yet perfectly hilarious addition to your home.
Oftentimes, when photographers commit to a photo session, they immediately want to know where the location will be. Finding out this detail ahead of time prepares them for the kind of photographs they can expect to take. The more interesting the location the more creative photographers can be with the elements of good composition.