In honor of the First Day of Summer, June 21^st, a perfect summer day schedule is a must. To get the most out of every well-earned ray of sunshine, here’s an itinerary of all the fun, outdoors-oriented things you can enjoy in Newport Beach.

It’s early morning. 

Spend some quality time at the beach. You can practice your surfing skills at Blackies (just North of Newport Pier) which is a good beginner and longboard spot. Not a surfer? Spend the afternoon pottering around in a kayak, or just sprawl out on a towel and bask in the morning sun before it gets too hot. Alternatively, you can rent a Duffy electric boat, which are easy to drive and come with a full canopy top and window enclosures. The boat accommodates up to 12 people, so round up your friends and family for an easy-breezy cruise along the Newport harbor.

Lunch-time is getting close.           

You’ve had a busy morning bobbing along the harbor, and you’re already getting those lunch-hour hunger pangs. There are close-to a dozen Newport Beach restaurants that allow boaters to pull up at their docks and hop off for a quick bite to eat. If you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, try The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific, the kitchen uses only wild, line-caught fish and has an inspired lunch menu to match. When you’re done, you can simply untie your boat and meander your way back to the harbor.

It’s late afternoon.

… which means you have a few hours to burn before dinnertime. Great idea alert: The Balboa Fun Zone can offer a slew of attractions that will keep you entertained, especially if you have kids in tow. With 45-foot Ferris wheel, a coconut tree climb and a tower drop, the place is a playground for some good ol’ fashioned fun. Pop into the arcade to escape the midday heat, or cool down with one of Balboa Island’s famous frozen bananas or Balboa Bars.

Photo Credit: The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove

The sky is about to turn pink.

Now that it’s finally warm at night, there’s no better way to wind down with your tots or your friends than by a glowing fire on the beach. When mealtime hits, schlepp over to The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove and hunker down in front one of their portable fire pits. You don’t have to worry about hauling your own wood or roughing it in any way. The fire pit includes one propane tank that fuels the pit—in other words, everything you need for whipping up that perfect, grill-kissed burger. Don’t feel like cooking? That’s OK, too. The Beachcomber Express Menu includes everything from mahi mahi BLTs to six-ounce Kobe cheeseburgers so you don’t have to lift a finger. (Word to the wise: Make sure to reserve your fire pit ahead of time. You can easily choose from several available packages online, and for an extra cost, snag chairs, blankets and even s’mores).

Written By: Mariam Makatsaria