Occupying a premier spot on Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach is the epicenter of fun and entertainment in the area. For starters, there are wide, golden-sand beaches and the famous fishing pier within steps, plus a well-developed commercial district centered around Newport Boulevard. A short distance to the east, even more amusement awaits at popular spots such as Balboa Island, Balboa Peninsula Point and Corona del Mar State Beach. The neighborhood features a grid of short streets sandwiched between Seashore Drive and River Ave, filled with a variety of dwellings that range from one-story beach cottages to grand, multistory homes with Mediterranean flourishes.