Love to hear from you re:Newport Coast Villas

We are thinking about going to Newport Coast Villas at the end of March. We have never been there before and would love to hear any thoughts you might have (pros and cons).

There are a number of recent reviews on this resort in the TUG Resort Database. Just click on that title in the red bar at the top of this page, sign in, choose resorts in the West, and then California. You can click on the column heading of "resort" and it will alphabetize the resorts so that you can more easily find them.

Thanks so much!

Serina said:

We are thinking about going to Newport Coast Villas at the end of March. We have never been there before and would love to hear any thoughts you might have (pros and cons).

Click to expand...

Its one of my favorites. Plenty to do in the area. Short ride to Disney. Longer, but doable ride to LA, Hollywood, San Diego. Laguna Beach and Balboa Island are a few minutes away. The resort is fabulous, especially the new pool which recently opened. For March, I'd do some reseach on the weather.

The weather could be warm and sunny or it could be cold and wet or a mix of both. Normally I would think the end of March better than the start. However, a moody beach is still a great place to walk; when it rains it normally does not rain terribly hard and on the occassion it does, it doesnt rain terribly long. Take a look at our totals, LOL. We could use more.

We stayed there the end of March last year and the weather was terrific! It was sunny, a little cool - but really great. But, as in the previous posts sometimes in So cal it will rain late March and we overcast and gloomy. So, enjoy all the other things to do if you're not from So Cal.

Here's my picture trail with a review. We loved it.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17224855

we have exchanged onto NCV about 7 times in the last five years. This year we broke down and bought a week. If you do not mind driving everything in LA/SD is within 100 miles.

It is rarely cold and cool for SoCal means 60. So IMHO, the weather is almost alway great (but it isn't Hawaii either).

Love the pictures and all the tips. Looks beautiful. Thanks!

Zac495 said:

Here's my picture trail with a review. We loved it.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17224855

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing your pictures. I enjoyed looking at them all and read your review too. You had a wonderful time, Ellen.

I hope you won't have to cancel your next trip in two days for you and your parents as they enjoy it so much too. Good luck.

Ellen - What is the name of that restaurant on the water where you are sitting outdoors? We're going to Newport Coast in 2 weeks and that restaurant looks kid friendly since it's more casual. Also, what dolphin tour did you take? Did you like it? Thanks for the info!
Heidi

Latravel said:

Ellen - What is the name of that restaurant on the water where you are sitting outdoors? We're going to Newport Coast in 2 weeks and that restaurant looks kid friendly since it's more casual. Also, what dolphin tour did you take? Did you like it? Thanks for the info!
Heidi

Click to expand...

Most likely Las Brisas. It's a very popular place in Laguna and also for the locals.

http://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com/

Places to go near Newport Coast

Serina said:

We are thinking about going to Newport Coast Villas at the end of March. We have never been there before and would love to hear any thoughts you might have (pros and cons).

Click to expand...

We own at Newport and live about 45 miles south. If you have kids, there is Legoland in Carlsbad (where we reside). In March it would be a great time to go to Wild Animal Park in Escondido as the animals would all be out(gets too hot in summer). This is a huge park with rolling hills that giraffes roam, you get 'sort of' close to lions and other animals that are NOT in cages. This Park is about 40 min south of Newport Coast and even has recently added a Zipline ride. Grocery shopping at Trader Joe's is fun and nearby the resort.

Does anyone have any suggestions for golf courses in the area? My 14 year old and husband love to play.

We want to take our son to LA (he loves sports and physical activity...not museums) any suggestions? Also, is Universal Studios worth doing (I remember going there as a kid and loved it)?

Lots of Golf Courses

There are several golf courses in the area. I believe right in Newport Beach and Irvine. I familiar with a few of them that are nice but they are about a 15 minute drive. There is EL Niguel Country Club in Laguna Niguel, Arroyo Trabuco in Mission Viejo and there is an 18 hole course in Aliso Viejo. You can look online and find the ones closest to NCV.

I am not sure what you are looking for in the way of sports and physical activity. Please note that Orange County is a hotbed for many fine athletes. Lots of football quarterbacks like Carson Palmer, Matt Leinhart and Mark Sanchez are from the area. I am not even going to name all of the baseball players. If you specify what you are looking for we may be able to help.

Universal Studios is a great day trip. Lots fun and food to be had.
You will have a great time.

Latravel said:

Ellen - What is the name of that restaurant on the water where you are sitting outdoors? We're going to Newport Coast in 2 weeks and that restaurant looks kid friendly since it's more casual. Also, what dolphin tour did you take? Did you like it? Thanks for the info!
Heidi

Click to expand...

Heidi,
I think you may be looking at the picture of us in Santa Barbara (we took a few days there to visit my aunt and uncle). Brias Mexican has the beautiful outside area (I am editing because I see Emmy noted this restaurant - even if you don't love Mexican - this place is great - seafood , etc too!) - but you eat indoors. Honestly, every place was kid friendly.

Emmy,
Thank you for the lovely comments on my picture trail - I tried to pm you, but your box is full. Yes, it's special to my folks. They took us away every summer as kids - now we do the same for our kids - and them. Nothing makes life more full than a splendid vacation - it's not just the pretty place -but the quality time with family- can't be replaced with any thing one can buy.

Kid Friendly Restaurant on Water

We always enjoy the Bluewater Grill for good seafood and friendly atmosphere. They also have a small outdoor dining area and appear to be kid friendly. It is only about a 15 minute drive from Newport Coast, and the concierge should be able to provide directions. Have a great trip.

We were at NCV this past March and had a great time. It was a little to cool for us to swim but others did not mind it. I don't think I'd hesitate to go back in March again.

We stayed at NCV in March and my Dad and I played golf at Pelican Hill, which is right across the street. It is pricey, but we decided to go anyway. Twilight started at 3:30pm and we did manage to get 18 in before sunset. Discounted price was $135 each! Normal rate is $235!

I have not played anywhere else yet. I met a guy at the bar at NCV and he said he did not recommend Strawberry Farms.

Great Resort!!

We own at NCV also & absolutley LOVE the resort. As we live in CA when we go there - it is to relax & just hang out. We do take our mountain bikes & ride the trails in the park next door, ride to the beach & even go to town for coffee.

The villas are the best!! We always ask for one with a pool/ocean view - close to the spa - which we also have tried & had great treatments.

If you like to shop then Orange County is for you!! You could spend days at the malls!!

We have aslo gone to Catalina for the day - did some diving & had lunch - great boat ride too!!
Linda