Last week, I spent the entire weekend running around with the kids - there was no real down time for our family. I looked around...the house was a mess, and I didn't know what to make for dinner. Plus, the kids were annoying each other. I knew we needed to get out of the house and just where to go. Newport Pier Beach, my happy place to get some fresh air.
Newport Pier Beach, what's so great about it? Well, the fresh and salty air for one. The perfect place to clear our minds for the busy upcoming week. And for many of us Southern Californians, this is so true.
So the boys threw on some clothes, grabbed some sand toys and towels...just the essentials. We piled in the car, picked up a couple of pizzas on our way down to the beach - Newport Pier Beach to be precise.
What Amenities Does Newport Pier Beach Have to Offer?
If you are looking for a beach in Orange County that has all the amenities that you would need to spend the day at, then Balboa Pier Beach is it!
I recommend Balboa Pier Beach for the following reasons:
- It has a nice boardwalk
- Clean sand
- Lifeguards
- The Balboa Pier
- Ruby's on the Pier
- A nice playground on the sand
- A grassy area where the boys can run - this area is also referred to as Balboa Peninsula Park
- Picnic Tables
- Barbecues and Fire Pits
- Public Restrooms
- Outdoor Showers
- Nearby restaurants
- Lot's of parking - metered
- The Balboa Fun Zone - if you need a little more entertainment, you can easily walk over for a fun or to ride on the ferry, a bite to eat, or shopping.
I must say, we had a great evening together. check out some of our photos from our evening. don't forget to check out our shoes...aren't they so different from what you expect Crocs to look like!
my shoes are the Crocs Isabella Mini Wedge in Coral. i prefer a wedge shoe for my feet, and something that is very comfortable. these are great...nice and cushy, and they come in four colors.my older boys love bright colored shoes, so i got the Crocs Citilane Roka Slip Ons. what i love about Crocs is the material they are made of is completely washable...so with my boys stinky feet, they are easily washed and don't absorb the odor. they are also great for running up and along the pier. my hubby is really digging his Crocs. he got the Santa Cruz style, which are perfect for casual and dressy casual. i consider them true Southern California style!
one of our favorite parts of Balboa Beach is the playground. there are swings, slides, a jungle gym and this giant spider web that the kids can climb. and bringing pizza to the beach was the best idea. it travels well, takes great whether its hot or cold, and it doesn't require utensils. i couldn't have asked for an easier dinner. i'm just grateful i didn't have to cook.we ended the evening dipping our toes in the sand and sitting together on the lifeguard stand watching the waves.
I really love living in Orange County and having access to the beautiful beaches....and the best weather.
Heading to the beach that evening ended up being the perfect cure to the weekend blues. There's just something about the fresh smell of the ocean and crashing waves. Plus, it not only cheered up the parents, but also the kids. We all need some time to enjoy nature and the outdoors with unstructured play What a great evening!
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