Forget hitting the slopes and enduring the cold this winter. Instead, embrace the sunshine-filled paradise of Newport Beach, a coastal gem with 10 miles of pristine shoreline, offering plenty of reasons to trade in your skis for luxurious adventures at sea-level. From a curated coastal running experience from VEA Newport Beach, to celebrating Valentine’s Day at the new Pendry Newport Beach – and not forgetting bespoke winter itineraries from Visit Newport Beach – here’s all the news you need to know for Q1 from this iconic Californian destination.
WINTER CAMPAIGN
“Après Ski Sea” invites guests to discover new ways to enjoy a cozy winter vacation. The destination not only offers year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and a stunning yacht harbor, but also 10 distinct neighborhoods, each with their own unique culture, charm and history. Visit Newport Beach has exclusive guides on places to hibernate, from posh coastal resorts such as The Resort at Pelican Hill and charming boutique hotels like Lido House. Discover where to indulge in gourmet dining and culinary events, embark on a glamorous shopping spree and indulge in the finest wellness experiences at sumptuous spas and much more! There’s even an ultra-indulgent $50,000 Sea to Ski Package at VEA Newport Beach. This includes a cosmopolitan coastal getaway in Newport Beach combined with a sophisticated ski-filled holiday at The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, including private jet transfers and a personalized private shopping experience at Fashion Island.
For more information about the “Après Ski Sea” campaign, please visit StayAtSeaLevel.com and follow @VisitNewportBeach on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Images: HERE
OPENINGS & BEYOND
At Fashion Island, a new Restoration Hardware will bring an 80,000-square-foot luxury shopping experience with a signature rooftop restaurant when it opens in Spring 2024. Fashion Island is also elevating its portfolio with the addition of recently opened establishments such as The Alcove, Arhaus, BYLT Basics, and Shop Common Thread. Expect exciting new arrivals in 2024, including the highly anticipated openings of Good American and Veronica Beard. Also now open is uber luxe jewelry concept and private club Privé from locally based Lugano Diamonds. It serves as both a retail store as well as an exclusive membership club described as “a home away from home” for its high-end clients.
The iconic Balboa Fun Zone, a cherished landmark in Newport Beach for over 80 years, is gearing up for a spectacular transformation. The Pyle family, long-time Newport Beach residents and the new proud owners of the Balboa Fun Zone, are thrilled to announce a comprehensive revitalization project that promises to bring renewed excitement and anticipation to the community. Understanding the elements that played a role in creating unforgettable moments at the Fun Zone is deemed crucial, as they endeavor to preserve and build upon its rich legacy but also actively contribute to the ongoing narrative, ensuring the creation of lasting memories for future generations to come.
Built between 1920 and 1940, Crystal Cove’s Historic District endures as an enchanting retreat for visitors who appreciate the opportunity to experience California’s natural and architectural beauty. 20 years in the making, 2024 marks the year that the north beach cottages will become available to the public.
Peninsula Village, the newly renovated waterfront coastal community with panoramic views of the Ocean, Harbor and Southern California mountain-scape, is located on the Newport Peninsula across the street from the Iconic Newport Pier. This premier residential community, with 20 private boat slips and a public dock, is set to be the next cultural epicenter for locals and those traveling for an extraordinary food and retail experience. Listed as one of the newest “Places to Watch” in Newport Beach, we anticipate Peninsula Village to be the perfect blend of an exclusive residence and exciting environment where people enjoy al fresco dining, concierge door to Duffy food orders, and social atmosphere. Grand opening in early 2024!
WELLNESS
Opening in the Corona del Mar neighborhood, The NOW (opening TBC) will be bringing their menu of next-level massages, custom enhancements and best-selling products to Newport Beach! Escape the bustle of everyday life and recharge in a calming self-care sanctuary. Their aesthetic incorporates raw elements and natural materials to create a chic, minimalist oasis. All the elements are aligned with nature and form the ultimate escape for next level relaxation. Also, after much success, NuFACE’s first-ever Nordstrom Sculpting Studio at Fashion Island will continue through the year. Enjoy a personalized lifting experience featuring the latest microcurrent devices provided by a NuFACE representative.
At VEA Newport Beach this winter, Sundays are all about self-care. SPA VEA offers a Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class at 9:30am, followed by a Sunday Relaxation Massage or a Sunday Rejuvenation Facial, for $175. This also includes a $25 voucher to be spent on food and drink, perfect for while you’re soaking up the rays while poolside at the spa. Or try the Winter Well-Being Seasonal Duet Experience, which is $438 for 100 minutes, and invites guests to unwind, starting with a VEA Radiance Facial powered by marine algae and hyaluronic acid. This works immediately, restoring hydration to the skin, and the relaxation is only further enhanced by a completely blissful scalp massage, and a nourishing exfoliation of the back using wild lavender.
Meanwhile, the ‘wild wellness’ trend for 2024 shows wellness no longer just belongs in the spa – and simply being near the sea can give visitors a sense of calm known as ‘blue health’. Witnessing whales in the wild is a positive and powerful experience that can help relieve stress and bring a sense of inner peace – and in Newport Beach, there are sightings of whales all year round. Booking an organized whale watching tour or private cruise with Newport Coastal Adventures – led by an expert crew with insight into the best spots and fun facts about the fascinating marine environment – is an unmissable experience. From winter to spring, grey whales come out to play, and it’s the perfect adventure for kids and adults alike.
DINING
VEA Newport Beach has opened a new F&B experience: sleek, indoor-outdoor space Reveal. Tucked away on the first floor of the hotel, there’s an extensive list of expertly crafted classic cocktails on offer from the bar – take your pick from a Daiquiri, Negroni, Manhattan, and more – and it’s quickly becoming a late-night favorite in the area, thanks to a vibrant soundtrack of 90’s and early 2000’s tunes. Guests can also order classic bar bites, such as deviled eggs, chicken tenders, and fries, but with an elevated VEA twist. Reveal is open Thursdays – Saturdays from 5 p.m. – 12 a.m., with buyout/event space available Sunday – Wednesday (with a capacity of 50 guests).
Elsewhere in Newport Beach, multiple new restaurant openings have been announced for 2024 which should definitely be on everybody’s radar. Upscale offering Oceans 48 (opening TBC) will look to reinvent seafood with its world-class menu that will also specialize great steaks, while the city will also welcome an outpost of much-loved LA sushi group, SUGARFISH by sushi Nozawa (Opened 1/19). Diners can expect only traditional sushi of the highest quality, based on the style of Chef Nozawa – the co-founder of the brand who has more than 50 years of experience as a legendary master sushi chef. Buona Forchetta is opening its 7th location, at Peninsula Village in Newport beach, CA (opening TBC). This location boasts beautiful outdoor seating in a picturesque coastal setting, as well as indoor seating with the ambiance of a luxuriously authentic dining experience. A gilded oven churns out classic creations, available inside or to-go at their pizza window, all while the main kitchen serves up chef-driven pastas and entrée dishes.
At The Resort at Pelican Hill, experience a curated seated dinner hosted by the visionary founders of NOBLEMAN Magazine on March 1. Enjoy a beautiful sunset reception with cocktails, champagne, and caviar on the terrace. Then move into the Andrea restaurant for top chefs to prepare a 5-course tasting menu with exquisite wine pairings by one of Napa’s finest, Lithology Wines by Alejandro Bulgheroni. Live music and entertainment. Plus, special caviar tasting experience and special preparations of 100% grass-fed New Zealand Wagyu beef.
FITNESS
Looking to push yourself in a class? Exciting news – Barry’s fitness studio (also known around the world as Barry’s bootcamp), was born in West Hollywood, and is celebrating its 25th anniversary by opening four new studios in California in the first half of 2024 – with Newport Beach one of the new locations. The ‘original high-intensity workout’, the exhilarating concept mixes running and weights, and is guaranteed to leave you with an endorphin high.
For fitness fanatics keen to explore the incredible running routes around Newport Beach, head outside from VEA Newport Beach with their unique “Coastal Running Experience’. Be guided by the hotel’s brilliant custom map of scenic local trails, as you take in the beautiful sights of the sea – powered along by VEA’s very own curated playlist and hydrated with complimentary water.
VALENTINE’S DAY
A world-class offering, Spa Pendry is Newport Beach’s newest place to pamper the mind, body and spirit in a sun-soaked setting – and features an exclusive menu of restorative services. Their latest package encourages couples to take time for themselves this Valentine’s Day and indulge in some self-care. Feel rejuvenated with a 90-minute treatment, the Couples Pendry Signature Massage, and enjoy enhancements such as a soothing Collagen Face Mask or Scalp Facial & Massage – topped off with a glass of champagne and chocolate covered berries.
The Time for Two package at Pendry Newport Beach costs $810 per couple.
For more information, visit www.visitnewportbeach.com
ABOUT NEWPORT BEACH & COMPANY/VISIT NEWPORT BEACH:
Founded in January 2013, Newport Beach & Company is a non-profit organization established to serve as the official marketing agency for the city of Newport Beach. The agency brings together all of the marketing entities connected to the Newport Beach brand and is designed to oversee separate business units that include Visit Newport Beach, Celebrate Newport Beach, Enterprise Newport Beach and Newport Beach TV. For more information, please go to www.VisitNewportBeach.com