NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. (March 18, 2026) – As summer feels within reach in Southern California, Visit Newport Beach invites families of all ages to trade the ordinary for the extraordinary. Launching this spring during its 120th year, the destination’s newest campaign, ‘Postcards from Newport Beach,’ positions the iconic coastal city as an unparalleled family getaway worth writing home about: where sun, sand, and dynamic experiences abound.
Nestled along 10 miles of picturesque Pacific shoreline and home to one of the largest recreational harbors on the West Coast, Newport Beach offers families vibrant neighborhoods, innovative dining, on-the-water adventures, world-class hotels and resorts, and an endless array of moments to discover together. Whether it’s building sandcastles at the water’s edge, cruising the harbor aboard a colorful electric boat, or exploring the historic Balboa Fun Zone, there’s something here for every age and every sense of adventure.
“Newport Beach is more than just a picturesque destination. It’s a place where families create lifelong memories,” says Gary Sherwin, President and CEO of Visit Newport Beach. “With ‘Postcards from Newport Beach,’ we want every family to arrive and find their own perfect moment: a sunset on the beach, a laugh-filled boat ride through the harbor, a Balboa Bar after a long day in the sun. These are the experiences that become postcards—snapshots of coastal joy they’ll carry with them long after they’ve returned home.”
FAMILY-FRIENDLY EXPERIENCES
Newport Beach is bursting with ways for families to “seas” the day. From the shoreline to the harbor, adventure is always close at hand.
Rent an Electric Boat
Exploring Newport Harbor by water is a must for visiting families. Several local companies offer comfortable, easy-to-drive boats that require no boating experience, including Duffy Electric Boats, Pacific Electric Boat Rentals, and Electric Boat Rentals. If you’re looking to elevate your experience, Sea Señorita Duffy, a stylish, female-run business, curates luxury outings with optional skippers, curated coastal bites and photo-worthy decor.
Visit the Balboa Fun Zone
For classic, multi-generational fun, the Balboa Fun Zone is a Newport Beach institution. Sitting right on the harbor, this beloved 90-year-old landmark features a Ferris wheel, arcade games, a small nautical museum, and plenty of dining and shopping. Grab a slice of pizza, explore the quirky shops, and soak up the lively waterfront atmosphere that has entertained generations of families.
Postcard-Perfect Beaches
Newport Beach’s beaches stretch for miles and are among the finest in Southern California, renowned for world-class surf, warm golden sand, and breathtaking sunsets. Whether families come to play in the waves, play beach volleyball, bodysurf along the shoreline, or simply soak in the sunshine, the Newport coastline sets the stage for a quintessential family outing.
Newport Harbor
As one of the largest recreational harbors on the West Coast, Newport Harbor is the heart of the city’s coastal identity. Families can paddleboard, kayak, take Duffy boat rides, watch gleaming yachts glide past, or simply stroll the waterfront and take in the scenery. The harbor pulses with energy and provides an ever-changing backdrop for adventure. Some of the best harbor views are captured from Marina Park and Lido Marina Village, which offers the Little Lido Kids Club every other Thursday with children’s book readings and live music.
WHERE TO STAY FOR FAMILIES
After a day of sun-drenched seaside adventures, Newport Beach’s diverse collection of elegant resorts and boutique hotels invites the whole family to relax and recharge in refined coastal style. As the temperatures rise, many hotel partners are offering exclusive experiences and amenities designed especially for families.
Sophisticated, stylish, and designed with families in mind, Pendry Newport Beach is a world-class urban resort that goes above and beyond to keep children happy.
- The hotel’s signature children’s program, Paintbox, is an all-day children’s club where experienced social coordinators make every day an adventure to remember. Parents can be at ease out on the town while their children enjoy spend time at Paintbox, a children’s haven of locally-inspired arts and crafts, group games, outdoor adventures, and a kid-approved menu of meals and snacks for guests ages 5 through 12. Sessions are exclusive to registered resort guests and Elwood Club Members.
- Family travelers can leave the heavy beach supplies at home when staying at Pendry Newport Beach. The 5-star hotel makes visiting the beach effortless, offering round-trip private transportation to and from Corona del Mar’s beach access point along with beach chairs, umbrellas, Yeti coolers, and boogie boards all ready to go for the perfect day in the sun.
Boasting the only rooftop bar in Newport Beach and rooms that capture an authentic beach-house feel, Lido House is a beloved family destination. Guests enjoy a suite of complimentary amenities including bikes, beach chairs, towels, and more designed to make every family’s coastal escape as effortless as possible.
VEA Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa
A true social sanctuary with sweeping views of the golf course and Pacific beyond, VEA Newport Beach make it easy for families to enjoy everything Newport Beach has to offer with beach chairs, toys, umbrellas and more at its “Play Chalet.” VEA’s house car, a Sprinter van, can chauffer families on the quick drive to Corona Del Mar State Beach in peak season or on demand in off season.
Newport Beach’s only waterfront resort is a haven for families. Balboa Bay Resort, a Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond property, offers a playful onsite program that allows families to explore the property through an engaging imaginative search for treasure. Duke the Dolphin Scavenger Hunt invites kids to step into the role of “little explorers” across Balboa Bay Resort, completing a series of photo-based missions around the property. Families set out across the waterfront resort to pick up clues and snap photos at each stop before returning to the concierge desk to claim their treasures: a collectible Duke the Dolphin pin.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
For a spring escape that blends relaxation and activity in equal measure, Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina is an exceptional choice for families. Set along the tranquil waters of Newport’s Back Bay, this expansive 100-acre retreat combines the flexibility of an RV adventure with the comfort of a full-service resort. Families can enjoy waterfront dining, lounge by the pool, paddleboard on the bay, or take a leisurely Duffy boat ride directly from the resort. Private cabanas and cozy cottages provide a comfortable, stylish home base for a memorable coastal getaway.
- This Spring, Newport Dunes allows visitors to make the most of Newport’s Back Bay, the city’s local estuary and natural sanctuary, with an exclusive seasonal offer. Now through May 17, guests can take advantage of a buy-one-get-one deal on kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards (buy one hour and get the second hour at 50% off). This offer is available Fridays and Sundays between April 4 and May 17, 2026.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Families are invited to explore the full ‘Postcards from Newport Beach’ experience through the dedicated landing page featuring seasonal hotel offers, curated spring itineraries, and insider recommendations for every age and interest. From beachcombing and paddleboarding to picnics, Balboa Bar stops, and charming local shops, there’s a postcard-perfect moment waiting around every corner.
For more information about the ‘Postcards from Newport Beach’ spring campaign, please visit VisitNewportBeach.com and follow Visit Newport Beach on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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ABOUT VISIT NEWPORT BEACH
Visit Newport Beach Inc. is the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City of Newport Beach, dedicated to promoting the destination and driving economic growth by attracting leisure and conference visitors. As a 501(c)6 non-profit organization, Visit Newport Beach partners with the tourism and hospitality industry to enhance visitor spending, ultimately contributing to the community’s quality of life. Through strategic sales, marketing, advertising, and public relations efforts, the organization positions Newport Beach as a premier travel and conference destination. For more information, please visit www.VisitNewportBeach.com.