Summer Sights & Sounds in Newport Beach, CA

Fun-Filled Summer Family Finds

Newport Beach features family fun year-round, but the summer season brings extra-special things for families to see and do!  For the best of Newport family-fun, don’t miss the aptly named Fun Zone on Balboa Peninsula or all of the wonderful waterfront activities on Newport Harbor.  Here are some other ideas.

Free Movies on the Beach & Eco-Tours at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

At Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort “New Wave Cinema,” welcomes families to pull up a beach chair or towel and enjoy a wide range of first rate family family film on an 18’ by 20’ screen.  The movies are free though there is a cost for parking.  A quintessential Southern California experience, Movies on the Beach has become one of the Dunes most popular summer attractions.  The films are projected every Friday and Saturday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. 

Also at Newport Dunes, a newly-launched ecological tour of the surrounding federally protected, 750-acre natural wildlife reserve that adjoins it will feature kayak and surrey bike tours that can accommodate up to 8 passengers.  Tours are guided by trained naturalists and part of the proceeds of the tours are donated to the Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends (NBNF). 

Kid Competitions, Surf Lessons & more at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach

Hyatt Regency’s ideal bayside location and proximity to Balboa Island are only two of the many reasons it remains one of the most family-friendly resorts in Newport!  This summer, Hyatt offers festive and fun activities for kids including hula hoop contests, bocce ball tournaments, water balloon toss competitions and complimentary surfing lessons on-site.  In addition, the resort offers its popular “Dive-In” movies and complimentary s’mores for kids every Saturday night!

Camp Pelican™ Movies & Smores; Summer Junior Golf Camp at The Resort at Pelican Hill

For Summer 2010, The Resort at Pelican Hill features kid-friendly activities such as Junior Golf Camp, a program designed for golfers between the ages 7-13.  Five Junior Golf Camps are being offered in July and August at Pelican Hill Golf Academy. Overseen by Director of Instruction Glenn Deck, these four-day camps, from 9 a.m. to 12-noon, are limited to 10 juniors and focus on putting, full swing, short game and rules & etiquette. Cost is $350 per child. Reservations can be made by calling Glenn Deck at 949.467.5810

The resort’s signature Camp Pelican, an ocean-view retreat filled with activities to both entertain and nurture childrens’ creativity includes the use of Camp Pelican's clubhouse an inviting home away from home featuring two big screen HDTVs with popular video games, karaoke and iPod accessories, digital microscopes and complete computer stations. A children's pool with umbrellas and chaise lounges, bubble jet fountain and 2 sand play areas completes the resort experience.

For summer, Camp Pelican offers movies & s'mores every Friday & Saturday nights from 5 - 7 pm where children ages 4-12 are invited to dinner and a movie with homemade s'mores. Cost is $60 per child. Reservations recommended 800.820.6800.