Neighborhood Guide: Corona Del Mar
Home to an array of family-owned restaurants, local boutiques and scenic spaces to explore, Corona del Mar is a picturesque place to spend an autumn day. This quaint neighborhood takes up a small stretch of Pacific Coast Hwy and lives up to its name, “Crown of the Sea,” with its seaside location and upscale charm. Whether you’re taking a stroll down the shop-lined sidewalks or exploring the beautiful Sherman Library & Gardens you’re sure to fall head over heels with everything this Newport Beach neighborhood has to offer.
STAY
When it comes to a Corona del Mar staycation, a vacation rental is your best bet! Newport Beach Vacation Properties offers an array of coastal homes for rent, so you can live like a true local. Skip the stodgy hotel formalities and choose between two-bedroom and three-bedroom rentals just steps away from the sand. Your private beach cottage awaits!
DINE
From streetside cafes like Rendez Vous and Zinc Cafe + Market to cozy restaurants like Five Crowns, an old-school English establishment, the options for dining in Corona del Mar are plentiful. Start your day at Rendez Vous or Zinc for coffee and brunch, then make a reservation at Summer House for comfort eats or Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens for a fresh, farm-to-fork meal. And when it comes to après-dinner drinks and dancing, SideDoor (adjacent to Five Crowns) is great for a nightcap, while The Quiet Woman is a hotspot for live music.
SHOP
The north end of Corona del Mar neighbors Fashion Island, the shopping mecca of Newport Beach. So, if you’re looking for a wide selection of name-brand stores, this is the place. But next to Fashion Island sits Corona del Mar Plaza, a smaller shopping center with stores like Jack’s Surfboards, Sur la Table, McKee & Company Home and more. Don’t forget to hit Sprinkles for one of their signature cupcakes!
DO
Corona del Mar may be on the quaint side, but there’s plenty to see and do when it comes to outdoor adventuring. Spend an afternoon exploring the lush grounds of Roger’s Gardens (be sure to visit their “Cabinet of Curiosities” Halloween boutique!) and the 2.2-acre horticultural oasis that is Sherman Library & Gardens. Then, head down to the sand and soak up the sunshine at Corona del Mar State Beach. You’ll also want to explore the towering sea caves at Pirate’s Cove and the tide pools at Little Corona beach.
DON’T MISS
Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., locals and visitors can shop at the Corona del Mar Farmers Market! Located at the intersection of Marguerite and PCH, this bustling open-air market features a variety of locally grown produce like seasonal veggies and items like baked goods and bouquets of blooms. Enjoy some fresh air and shop local this fall!
Written by: Kaylin Waizinger
