This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

How to Spend Your Summer in Newport Beach

After spending last summer across the Atlantic, this year Tiffany is going to live it up locally.

I'm going to have a tough time topping last summer, when I spent six wonderful weeks at Cambridge University and traveled all over Europe with a group of amazing friends. But I'm going to do my best ... right here in beautiful Newport Beach.

Here's my list of must-do summer activities:

  1. Booze Cruise: It's actually a sunset cruise, and it's bring-your-own-booze. The cruise leaves Balboa Fun Zone at 7 p.m. and lasts for 90 minutes. Take the cruise on Friday and it only costs $10. You could also go have $3 happy hour Mai Tais at The Newport Landing before coming aboard the boat. 
  2. Pub Crawl: June 18 is the Newport Beach Crawl Around the World. Six Peninsula bars will serve international drinks at special prices. Participants will receive a passport that will be stamped at each location. The crawl begins at 2:45 p.m. outside of then continues to , , , and . There will be an after party, raffle and awards at Rudy's from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pre-registration is required. The $10 donation benefits the OM Foundation for children with disabilities. 
  3. Trip to Catalina: I have to hide my head in shame because I haven't made this cruise since I was 13 and brace-faced. I also got seasick and didn't enjoy the passage. Now I'm much older and keep ginger cookies in my purse to kick the nausea. Adult round-trip tickets are $68 on . Too bad I couldn't pass for an infant, only $4. Jeez, babies get all the breaks. Before you book, check sites like Goldstar and Groupon for discount tickets. 
  4. Stand Up Paddle: I can't wait to get my paddle on. My friends and I are getting a group together to Paddle by Moonlight at Pirate Coast Paddle Co. $25 per person includes 1.5-hour paddle ride, under the stars, glow sticks included. It's like a rave, but on the water, and without techno music, baby pacifiers and ecstasy (OK ... maybe not too much like a rave, after all ... thank goodness). Just be careful in Newport Harbor, I've heard rumors of jellyfish and we all know what Monica had to do when she got bitten by a jellyfish on Friends. Gross! 
  5. Brunch at the Beachcomber: What better way to start off the summer than with brunch at Crystal Cove State Park. I'm making reservations now for July since this is like trying to get reservations at The French Laundry. Nothing defines summer more than the beach, a mimosa and making a toast to the eternal sunshine that is Newport Beach—except if it's overcast, then just toast to good health and sugar daddies. 
  6. 4th of July on the Peninsula: This is the plan: Rent a beach cruiser, look cute and ride up and down the boardwalk and crash the most delicious BBQ and coolest party. Take the Balboa Island Ferry across with your bicycle as police are planning to close Newport Boulevard onto the Peninsula to motorist on the 4th. In case your Vince Vaughn-Owen Wilson charm isn't working on the party crashing scene, pop into Cabo Cantina for two-for-one cocktails and maybe even find a cute guy. You will find a cute guy; on the Peninsula, guys are as easy as the Staples' button. 
  7. OCMA Third Thursdays: Call me nerdy, but museums are in my back pocket of fun things to do on a date. And thanks to OCMA's Third Thursdays, I can enjoy the Alexander Calder exhibit, (not like the mobile you had hanging above your crib) and an indie film from the Newport Beach Film Festival. I just need to find a date, perhaps from some party I crashed on the peninsula. 
  8. Mozza Opening this Summer: I'm a classy girl, but I could just pee my pants at the excitement of this restaurant opening. The only man I will give a fashion pass to wear Crocs is Mario Batali who is opening a gourmet pizza shop in Newport with chef buddies Nancy Silverton and Joe Bastianich. It will replace the old Dolce Restaurant on PCH's Mariner's Mile. They are already hiring staff. I can almost taste the good pizza and wine already.
  9. Dock n' Dine with SOL: My friend Tara and I are taking her husband (he has a merit badge in sailing, jealous?) on my Duffy boat. Sorry, I not big baller status yet to afford a yacht, but my Duffy is the perfect boat to take advantage of SOL's Dock n'Dine. SOL Cocina will cater you dockside with a full margarita kit, five different tasting menues. 
  10. Summer Sunday Barbecue at the BBC: It's time to barbecue ... and not at my place. I prefer the chefs at the who create a tantalizing feast which includes baby back ribs, fresh grilled free range chicken, various salads, hot dogs, pork and beans, watermelon and dessert. There is live music of reggae and calypso performed by Coconut Frank. 

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?