Newport Beach has evolved from a simple seaside village to an icon of chic coastal living. Its ritzy reputation comes from megayachts bobbing in the harbor, boutiques that rival those in Beverly Hills, and spectacular homes overlooking the ocean.
The city boasts some of the cleanest beaches in Southern California; inland Newport Beach’s concentration of high-rise office buildings, shopping centers, and luxury hotels drives the economy. But on the city’s Balboa Peninsula, you can still catch a glimpse of a more humble, down-to-earth town scattered with taco spots, tackle shops, and sailor bars.
