• Big Canyon
• East Bluff
• Harbor View
• Newport Shores
• Dover Shores
• Bay Shores
• Lido Village
• Promitory Point
• Belcourt, Newport Beach
• Harbor Ridge, Newport Beach

Newport Harbor is a semi-artificial harbor that was formed by dredging an estuary during the early 1900s. Several artificial islands were built, which are now covered with private homes: Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island, Collins Island, Bay Island, Harbor Island, Lido Isle and Linda Isle.

Newport Harbor once supported maritime industries such as boatbuilding, shipbuilding, and commercial fishing, but today it is used mostly for recreation. Its shores are occupied mostly by private homes and private docks. Newport Harbor is one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the U.S. west coast, with approximately 9,000 boats. It's a popular destination for all boating activities, including sailing, fishing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Commercial maritime operations today include the Catalina Flyer ferry to Catalina Island, harbor tours, sport fishing and whale watching day trips and charters, and a few small commercial fishing boats.

Newport Bay is divided by the Pacific Coast Highway bridge, which is too low for most sailboats and very large boats to pass under. North of the bridge is referred to as Upper Newport Bay, or the Back Bay. South of the bridge is commonly called Lower Newport Bay, or Newport Harbor. However the Back Bay also has harbor facilities, especially the marina and launch ramp at The Dunes.

The North end of the Newport Harbor channels around Lido Island have a number of small business centers and were at one time used by the fishing fleets as its home. On the North East side of the channel, the Lido Marina Village, now provides the local port to many "Newport Party Boats" as well as small merchants and local restaraunts and hosts the area boat show each year as well as a Organic "Farmers Market" Sunday's and in addition to port for the local Gondola Company.

In 1927 a home was built at the mouth of the entrance of Newport Harbor that came to be known as the China House of China Cove. The home was built using the traditional Chinese architecture. It was a landmark in the Newport Beach Harbor until it was demolished in the 1980's. Some of the original roof can been seen on a home located in the China Cove.

Upper Newport Bay is an estuary that was formed by a prehistoric flow of the Santa Ana River. Today it is fed by a small stream from San Diego Creek. Much of Upper Newport Bay is a protected natural area known as the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, established in 1975.

Newport Beach has a Mediterranean climate. Like many coastal cities in Los Angeles and Orange counties, Newport Beach exhibits weak temperature variation, both diurnally and seasonally, compared to inland cities even a few miles from the ocean. The Pacific Ocean greatly moderates Newport Beach's climate by warming winter temperatures and cooling summer temperatures.

The 2010 United States Census reported that Newport Beach had a population of 85,186. The racial makeup of Newport Beach was 74,357 White, 616African American, 223 Native American, 5,982 Asian, 114 Pacific Islander, 1,401 from other races, and 2,493 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,174 persons.

As of the census of 2000, there were 70,032 people, 33,071 households, and 16,965 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,738.8 inhabitants per square mile. There were 37,288 housing units at an average density of 2,523.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 92.22% White, 0.53% African American, 0.26% Native American, 4.00% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.71% of the population.

There were 33,071 households out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.7% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the city the population was spread out with 15.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

According to a 2008 US Census estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $110,511, while the median family income was $162,976. Males had a median income of $73,425 versus $45,409 for females. The per capita income for the city was $63,015. About 2.1% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Housing prices in Newport Beach ranked eighth highest in the United States in a 2009 survey.

As of January 2010, there were 34,747 registered Republicans, 13,684 Democrats 11,719 unaffiliated and 2,432 minor party voters.

Newport Beach is home to one Fortune 500 company, insurer Pacific Life.

Other companies based in Newport Beach include Acacia Research, Conexant, Jazz Semiconductor, and PIMCO. Fletcher Jones Motor Cars in Newport Beach is the largest Mercedes-Benz dealership in the world.

• Newport Center and Fashion Island
• Orange County Museum of Art
• Hoag Hospital
• Newport Harbor Yacht Club
• Newport Back Bay or Upper Newport Bay
• Newport Pier
• The Boardwalk (actually a concrete path)
• Balboa Pier
• Balboa Pavilion
• Balboa Fun Zone
• Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
• Balboa Island Ferry
• Balboa Island
• Newport Sports Museum
• Pacific Coast Highway
• Balboa Bay Club
• Orange County Council BSA Sea Base
• Dory Fish Market
• Newport Aquatic Center
• The Crab Cooker
• Newport Beach Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints
• Pelican Hill Golf Club
• Corona del Mar State Beach
• Crystal Cove State Park

Beaches and Surfing

Beachgoers have flocked to Newport Beach since the Pacific Electric Railway started bringing them in 1905.

Attractions include the city beaches from the Santa Ana River to the tip of the Balboa Peninsula, Corona del Mar State Beach, and the beaches at Crystal Cove State Park.

Newport Beach is renowned for good surfing, especially between Newport Pier and the Santa Ana River. At the tip of the Balboa Peninsula, The Wedge offers world-class body-boarding and bodysurfing.

A boardwalk (actually a concrete path) runs 2.9 miles from 36th Street in West Newport, past Newport Pier and Balboa Pier, to between E and F Streets on the Balboa Peninsula.

Harbor and Boating

Newport Harbor is the largest recreational boat harbor on the U.S. west coast, and a popular destination for all boating activities, including sailing, fishing, rowing, kayaking, paddle boarding.

The annual Christmas Boat Parade dates back to 1908. The New York Times has called it, "One of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation."

Competitive sailing, rowing, and paddling events occur almost every weekend, and weekday evenings during summer. The annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race is the largest sailboat race in the world.

Boating activities are organized by five private yacht clubs, along with Orange Coast College, UC Irvine, and the Sea Scouts, all of which have sailing, rowing, and water activity bases on the harbor. The Newport Aquatic Center allows open public participation in competitive rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and outrigger canoe racing. The Orange Coast College School of Sailing and Seamanship offers recreational and professional sailing and mariners' courses and certifications, including USCG licensing.

Hand-carried boats may be launched from Newport Harbor's public beaches. A launching ramp at The Dunes RV Resort and Marina provides access for trailered boats.

Harbor boat tours feature celebrity homes and other waterfront points of interest.

Large charter vessels cater to weddings and other special events.

Rental and charter boats of all sizes and types are available from several operators.

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum is dedicated to the history of Newport Harbor, and the industries and people that were attracted to the waters of Newport Beach.

Balboa

On the Balboa Peninsula, the historic Balboa Pavilion and Balboa Island Ferry are the city's most famous landmarks. Adjacent to the Pavilion, the 500 passenger Catalina Flyer provides daily transportation to and from Avalon, located on Santa Catalina Island. In the same vicinity, the Balboa Fun Zone offers a merry-go-round and ferris wheel, bungee jumping, arcade games, souvenir shops and eateries, boat rentals, and harbor tour boat rides; and is also home to the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum.

Balboa Island's village charm draws many visitors. A waterfront path around the island attracts walkers and joggers, and provides easy access from the ferry to the shops and restaurants on Marine Ave.

Upper Newport Bay, or the Back Bay, is ringed by Back Bay Drive and a network of trails and paths that attract bicyclists, rollerbladers, joggers, and walkers.

Bird watchers and nature lovers are drawn to the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center.

Whale watching is also popular, with both scheduled and charter boats leaving from Newport Harbor.

Bicycling

Bicyclists are drawn to Newport Beach to ride the boardwalk, the bike routes around Upper Newport Bay, the hilly roads winding through Newport Coast and the San Joaquin Hills, and the mountain biking trails in the San Joaquin Hills and Crystal Cove State Park. Beach cruiser bikes can be rented at several places on the Balboa Peninsula.

Golf

The Pelican Hill area has two golf courses, both of which were recently reopened after extensive remodeling and the construction of a new hotel and clubhouse.

Fashion Island at Newport Center is a popular regional shopping destination. Also at Newport Center, the Orange County Museum of Art exhibits modern and contemporary art, with emphasis on the work of Californian artists.

The Newport Theater Arts Center presents high quality live theater in a 90-seat venue with low ticket prices.

The bars and restaurants within a few blocks of Newport Pier are a regional nightlife destination.

Pop Culture

The city has figured into several television shows and movies.

• The popular TV show The O.C. was based on the fictional lives of people living in Newport Beach.
• MTV replaced its hit teen-reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County with a new show, Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County, on August 15, 2007. Only the cast and location changed in the new series, based on the lives of high school students living in Newport Beach.
• The TV series Arrested Development was set in Orange County and would often feature scenes at Newport Beach.
• Several scenes from the Disney Channel movie The Thirteenth Year were filmed at the Balboa Pavilion in 1999.
• The pop rock band Cute Is What We Aim For has a song titled Newport Living.
• The TV series The Real Housewives of Orange County featured scenes of Newport Harbor.
• One guest on You Bet Your Life in 1954 was mayor of Newport Beach, and specifically noted that Balboa was a congregating point for southern Californian young people over Easter break, with 35,000 visiting the town of 18,000.
• The exterior of the Newport Beach Central Library appeared as the reunion venue in the 1997 film Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion.
• The Devil Inside video by the Australian band INXS was filmed around the Balboa Fun Zone.
• The 1917 film Cleopatra by J. Gordon Edwards was filmed in Newport Beach.
• The popular clothes brand Hollister Co. has featured many brands including clothing that says Newport Beach.

Business

• George Argyros, billionaire real estate investor and former owner of the Seattle Mariners
• Stephen O’Hara, REALTOR® (Featured in the book, Billion Dollar Agent as one of 25 REALTORS® who have sold more than One Billion Dollar’s of Real Estate during his career.)
• Donald Bren, billionaire owner of the Irvine Company
• John Curci, real estate developer (Thunderbird and Indian Wells near Palm Springs)
• William H. Gross, billionaire co-founder of Pimco
• Gavin Herbert, founder of Allergan
• John H. Meier, former business adviser to Howard Hughes
• Michael Morhaime, cofounder and chief executive of Blizzard Entertainment
• Henry Samueli, billionaire co-founder of Broadcom and owner of the Anaheim Ducks
• Gary Primm, casino developer and former chairman, chief executive of Primm Valley Resorts & Primadonna Resorts Inc.

Entertainment

• Steve Aoki, producer and DJ
• Lauren Bacall
• Joey Bishop, entertainer
• Humphrey Bogart, actor, yachtsman
• George Burns, entertainer
• Nicolas Cage, actor
• James Cagney, actor and dancer
• Dick Dale, musician, "King of the Surf Guitar"
• Buddy Ebsen, actor
• Stephen Fry, actor and comedian
• Chuck Jones, cartoon artist, animator of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
• Dean Koontz, writer
• Heather Locklear, actress
• Karl Malone, retired NBA player
• McG, film and television director and producer
• Mark McGrath, singer (Sugar Ray)
• Mike Ness of Social Distortion
• Chuck Norris, martial arts star, actor
• Stephen O’Hara, REALTOR®
• Cathy Rigby, gymnast and actress
• Frank Rumbauskas, Bestselling author
• Gwen Stefani, singer, No Doubt
• Emma Stone, actress
• Shirley Temple, actress
• Mamie Van Doren, actress and sex symbol
• John Wayne, actor and icon

Sports

• Bill Macatee, Sportscaster
• Carsten Ball, Australian Tennis Player
• Matt Barkley, first freshman to ever start at quarterback for the University of Southern California football team
• Francois Botha, former Heavyweight boxer
• Scott Boras Notorious baseball agent
• Kobe Bryant, NBA player, Los Angeles Lakers
• Sasha Cohen, figure skater
• Ekaterina Gordeeva, figure skater
• Keith Hartwig, NFL player, Green Bay Packers
• Erica Hosseini, Professional surfer
• Reggie Jackson, Hall of Fame Baseball Player
• Jürgen Klinsmann, German football manager and former football player
• Kevin Kouzmanoff, MLB player, San Diego Padres
• Ilia Kulik, figure skater
• Joffery Lupul, NHL player, Toronto Maple Leafs
• Todd Marinovich football player for Oakland Raiders
• Dennis Rodman, retired NBA player
• Leigh Steinberg, noted sports agent, said to be the model for the title character of Jerry Maguire
• Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, surfer
• John Welbourn, NFL player, New England Patriots
• C.J. Wilson, MLB starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers.
• Tiger Woods, professional golfer
• George Yardley, former Detroit Pistons basketball player

Education

• Newport Elementary School
• Corona del Mar High School
• Newport Harbor High School
• Sage Hill School
• Carden Hall
• Eastbluff Elementary School
• Ensign Intermediate School
• Harbor Day School
• Harbor View Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Mariners Elementary School
• Newport Heights Elementary School
• Newport Coast Elementary School
• Our Lady Queen of Angels School
• Roy O. Andersen Elementary School