Getting to Newport Beach

Location: Newport Beach, Calif., about 279 miles southwest of Las Vegas.

Directions: From Las Vegas, take Interstate 15 south for about 241 miles, merge onto California Route 91 south and drive about 17 miles. Merge onto California Route 55 south and drive about 18 miles. Route 55 becomes Newport Boulevard for 0.9 miles, then becomes West Balboa Boulevard. Continue 1.7 miles and go right for signed beach parking or go left on Main Street for the Balboa Pavilion.

Lodging: Balboa Inn, 105 Main St. (949) 675-3412, www.balboainn.com;
Newport Beach Hotel, 2306 W. Oceanfront Blvd., (949) 673-7030, www.
newportbeachwalkhotel.com; Balboa Bay Club & Resort, 1221 Coast Highway, (949) 645-5000, www.balboabayclub.com.

Restaurants: Harborside Restaurant and Grand Ballroom, 400 Main St., Balboa Village, lunch and dinner daily, (949) 673-4633, www.harborside-pavilion.com; Cannery Restaurant, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, 3010 Lafayette Road, (949) 566-0600, www.cannerynewport.com. The Crab Cooker, lunch, dinner and fish market, 2200 Newport Blvd., (949) 673-0100, www.crabcooker.com.

Balboa Fun Zone: Rides operate Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Saturday 11 a.m. -10 p.m. Closed Tuesdays in winter.

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum: 600 E. Bay Ave. in the Balboa Fun Zone. Winter hours are Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. (949) 675-8915, www.nhnm.org.

Balboa Island Ferry: Leaves every few minutes. Sundays through Thursdays, 6:30 a.m.-midnight, Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 a.m.- 2 a.m. Costs $2 for car and driver, $1 for adult passenger. (949) 673-1070.

Davey's Locker: Daily whale-watching cruises, fishing trips, boat rentals. 400 Main St., Newport Beach. (949) 673-1435, www.daveyslocker.com.

Visit Newport Beach: Complete information on activities, attractions, hotels, dining and beaches. Open Mondays-Fridays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except major holidays. 1200 Newport Center Drive, Suite 120. (949) 467-2745, www.visitnewportbeach.com.