How to Spend One Day in Orange County’s Newport Beach

By Grace Cassidy Home to about 85,000 people, Newport Beach is an iconic, beachside destination in Orange County, Calif. With an average of 277 sunny days per year, Newport Beach locals and visitors enjoy spending lots of time on the sandy ocean beaches, whale watching off Balboa Island and dining at the many restaurants with outdoor patios. If you’re headed to Newport Beach and have a wide-open day to fill, here’s an itinerary of the best things to eat, drink, see and do. Sunny-Side Up: Cappy’s Cafe Open since 1982, Cappy’s Cafe is a favorite breakfast spot in Newport Beach for locals and visitors alike. The restaurant serves American and Southern California classics, such as breakfast burritos, pancakes, ham steak and eggs, eggs benedict and more. They’re open for lunch, too. And while we don’t recommend extreme carbo-loading first thing in the morning, if you’re up for Cappy’s challenge— eating seven pancakes in under 20 minutes —the pancakes are free!   Competitive eater Raina Huang prepares to take the Cappy's Challenge. (Photo courtesy of @rainaiscrazy and @cappys_cafe) Photo courtesy of @farmhabitnb. Photo courtesy of @farmhabitnb. Shop Local: Newport Beach Farmers’ Market The Newport Beach Farmers’ Market is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., rain or shine. The market is conveniently situated next to the Newport Pier and close to shops, making it a perfect stop for fresh produce and artisanal goods on a weekend morning.   Newport Chic: Fashion Island Fashion Island is an iconic shopping destination in Orange County. The Newport Beach outdoor mall features brand-name and designer stores, as well as endless dining options, a movie theater and an AI-powered virtual concierge service that you can text for information and suggestions.   Lunch on the Waterfront: Rusty Pelican Open since 1972, the waterfront Rusty Pelican restaurant offers a wide range of seafood, steak and vegan dishes, so there’s truly something for everyone. They have an extensive wine list, and their desserts are delicious and decadent.   Thar She Blows: Whale Watching off Balboa Island One of the most popular activities for Newport Beach visitors is whale watching . Numerous charters depart from Balboa Island, from large catamarans to more intimate private boats for small parties.   Humpback whale photographed by Newport Landing photographer @goodnewsangie. Hometown Hero: Balboa Island Museum Open seven days a week, at no charge, the  Balboa Island Museum  features visitor information, books and events about the local history of Newport Beach and Balboa Island, including an exhibit on Hollywood icon and  Newport Beach resident John Wayne .   Fine Farm Dining: Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens With a 4.6-star rating and over 1,500 Google reviews,  Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens  is a local hot spot for lunch and dinner in Newport’s Corona Del Mar neighborhood and features a stunning covered outdoor patio.   Newport Beach aerial photo D Ramey Logan Feb 14 2015.jpg from Wikimedia Commons by Don Ramey Logan, CC-BY 4.0 (Cropped) Photo Finish: Sunset from the Balboa Pier One of the best places to watch the sunset in Newport Beach is from the Balboa Pier. The pier is surrounded by miles of sandy beach, with fire rings provided for post-sunset bonfires.