Long known as a playground for Hollywood’s elite, the engaging coastal destination of Newport Beach, California is comprised of appealing opposites; upscale and affordable, casual and luxurious. With its stunning location along the Southern California coast, this beachside community has made a name for itself as an ideal meeting destination. Here’s a look at the top 5 reasons to bring your group program to Newport Beach.

Top 5 reasons to head west with your group meeting and event

Location
Stretching 10-miles along the Pacific coastline, Newport Beach is a mix of golden sand beaches and harbor-front promenades, flip-flops and high-heels. Add to that its year-round mild temperature and easy access and you have a perfect location for group meetings and events.

Conveniently located near three major airports: LAX, Long Beach and Orange County’s John Wayne airport, arriving here is easy. John Wayne Airport offers direct flights from most major cities and is just minutes to Newport Beach hotels.

Hotel Properties
Newport Beach, CA’s growing portfolio of ocean-view and waterfront resorts to high-end, airport close properties continues to delight meeting planners.

Leading hotel brands such as Marriott, Hyatt, and Renaissance Newport Beach, along with three stylish boutique properties, Fashion Island Hotel, Balboa Bay Resort and the area’s newest addition, Lido House Hotel, offers meeting planners a vast selection for group meetings and events.

Activities
One of Newport Beach’s iconic attractions is Newport Harbor, which winds close to three miles from the Upper Back Bay estuary to the Pacific Ocean. As one of the largest recreational harbors in the U.S., Newport Harbor offers a variety of activities, such as outrigger canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. Perhaps the most popular group adventure involves the quietly comfortable, Duffy electric boats. Voted the top team building activity by California Meetings + Events, a Duffy scavenger hunt through Newport Harbor gives groups a close up look at Newport Beach’s history and beauty.

If your group prefers land-based activities, you’re in luck. While Southern California may be synonymous with sun, sand, and surf, it also offers miles of the canyon to sea hiking trails, many with rich vegetation including native sage, oak and sycamore trees. In recent years, one spot along the coast seems to have emerged as a new favorite for groups and locals alike. Crystal Cove State Beach and Park combine beauty with adventure. The beach is an artist’s dream and the backcountry is the California of yesteryear.

Crystal Cove State Park along with El Morro Canyon are favorites for those wanting a bit of a hiking or biking challenge along with fantastic coastal views. In fact, it’s not unusual to spot migrating California Grey Whales or the majestic Blue Whale from the top of El Morro Canyon.

Groups desiring something a little more leisurely may enjoy the scenic trails along Crystal Cove, Newport’s Upper Back Bay or the Newport peninsula.

Restaurants
When it comes to dining, Newport Beach is in a class of its own. There are very few locations where you can dine at the water’s edge or better yet, enjoy cocktails on the water then pull right up to your restaurant of choice. Newport Beach, CA is one such destination.

Several dock and dine options line the harbor offering spectacular views and award-winning cuisine. Along with its many waterfront options, Newport Beach has a culinary roster throughout the destination that would make Chef Ramsay envious.

A key benefit for meeting planners 

Award-Winning Destination Partner

In addition to honors from ConferenceDirect and HelmsBriscoe, Visit Newport Beach has received the 2019 Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards for the top CVB/DMO in the west. According to Smart Meetings founder and CEO, Marin Bright, Smart Star winners are, “brands that continue to serve our community with unwavering excellence and dedication to their crafts.”

Choosing a destination that meets your program needs requires the help and knowledge of local experts. Calling upon destination marketing organizations (DMO’s) or CVBs during the pre-planning phase will help streamline the site selection and RFP process.

When you’re ready to begin organizing your next group meeting, contact the staff at Visit Newport Beach, the destination marketing organization for Newport Beach, CA. Visit Newport Beach opens the doors to this Pacific paradise with destination expertise, customized site visits, strong partnerships, and valuable resources.