Newport Bluffs - Newport Beach, CA

Newport Bluffs is built along the shores of Newport Beach's Back Bay on what was once an airfield for the U.S. Navy. When the airfield closed down in the 1950s, development began. Although the land was flat enough to serve as a runway, the Irvine Company's developers created the current landscape of gently rolling hills and canyons. The neighborhood has been considered a high-end residential district since it opened.

Just south of Newport Bluffs you'll find the Orange County Museum of Art. This tiny, beautifully curated museum opens for free on the second Sunday of each month with arts and crafts events for kids.

Older residents of Newport Bluffs show up in droves for Taste of Newport, a yearly food festival held at Newport Center just south of the neighborhood. Local restaurants and breweries provide samples in an exciting atmosphere that makes it easy to meet new people.

Although few restaurants sit within the small Newport Bluffs community, plenty of casual eateries as well as high-end, special-occasion restaurants are right outside the neighborhood, especially in nearby Fashion Island.

Provenance, a farm-to-table restaurant in Eastbluff, delights locals with its casual perfection and a menu that feels transported from Napa Valley. Start with the smoked scallop salad with beets, the clipped lettuce salad or the Brussels sprouts, then make the impossible choice between chicken thighs with thyme biscuits, a jidori chicken breast BLT with fried black kale, or the trout with hearts of palm and capers. No matter what you order, get some of the luscious biscuits, then make plans to come back for Sunday brunch.

When you need a quick bite while shopping at Fashion Island, stop in at Pain du Monde for a soy hot cocoa, fresh-squeezed orange juice or blended caramel mocha. The almond and pecan twist pastries come highly recommended, or sit down to enjoy a Parmesan Benedict, turkey and smoked Gouda sandwich on rosemary bread, or mango chicken salad. You'll find yourself fully refreshed and refueled to continue your shopping.

For special occasions, head to Oak Grill in Fashion Island. Located in the former Four Seasons Hotel, now known as the Island Hotel, this elegant, contemporary restaurant seats you on a beautiful deck under spreading tree branches to enjoy creative comfort food. Try wild mushroom and truffle flatbread to start, or go for the Maine lobster chopped salad. Outstanding entrées include the Chilean sea bass with golden raisins or the braised short ribs served with grits. The pineapple butter cake and the pumpkin tart served with Guinness ice cream both have fans when it comes to dessert. Oak Grill features several private rooms, so keep it in mind for your office party or birthday celebration.

Nightlife in Newport Beach tends toward the casual dive bar out by the water with a more sophisticated vibe further inland, and Newport Bluffs definitely leans toward the latter, with much of the high-end nightlife centered on hotel bars. Head back toward Fashion Island to pop in to the Aqua Lounge at the Island Hotel. Reserve a table for bottle service, and enjoy the DJ spinning tunes. You can count on the Lounge at Sam & Harry's to have all the games running on the big-screen TVs, or slip into a quiet booth for an intimate conversation. Muldoon's Irish Pub serves up Magners Irish Cider, Guinness, legit Irish soda bread, and incredible fish and chips. Come by on the weekends to enjoy live music and a friendly, welcoming vibe.

While most residents of Newport Bluffs rely on their own cars for private transportation, a couple of Orange County Transportation Authority bus lines service the area, connecting locals with Tustin, Santa Ana, Fullerton and the beach. It may be possible to find a taxi at one of the hotels surrounding Newport Center to the immediate south, but you'll find it easier to call a cab, Uber or an airport shuttle if you need a personal lift.

If you choose to drive, expect to find ample free parking in your own neighborhood. Parking remains free at most local shopping and dining destinations, though beach parking can get crowded and pricey. While it's possible to walk for recreation, few choose to do so to run errands or commute because of the hills and distances involved in the neighborhood. Major thoroughfares typically feature bike lanes.

With the neighborhood's proximity to Newport Beach's Back Bay, residents of Newport Bluffs have an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in nature. The Back Bay is home to many endangered species of birds, and you can see them by taking a kayak tour sponsored by the Newport Bay Conservancy. Enjoy the serenity and beauty of this patch of wilderness in the city by taking advantage of the 10-mile loop running around the bay. On any given day, you'll see serious runners, mountain bikers, neighbors letting their leashed dogs splash in the water, moms pushing strollers and even people on horseback. Bring your kids for regular story time and nature walks, or volunteer to help with habitat restoration.

Just north of Newport Bluffs, Bonita Creek Park provides a more traditional park environment, including soccer fields, softball diamonds, playgrounds for the kids and basketball courts. Night lighting make this park accessible even after sunset, and the facilities are free to all.

The tranquility, beauty and convenience of life in Newport Bluffs comes at a high price. If you're interested in a one-bedroom apartment, expect to pay $2,656 per month. Gas prices run about 14 percent higher than the California average, though if you choose to take the bus, you'll only pay $2 to get to downtown Santa Ana. When you want to grab a beer and relax, expect to pay $6 to $8 for a cold one on tap.

While Eastbluff Village Center sits right in the middle of Newport Bluffs to serve immediate needs, most residents head straight for the luxury oasis of Fashion Island when they have major shopping to do.

While the restaurant Provenance finds a home in Eastbluff Village Center, most of the other businesses there are more practical. Drop by when you need to run to the bank, get your nails done or drop off your dry cleaning.

Once you've run your errands, head down the road to Fashion Island, one of Southern California's destination malls. This beautiful outdoor mall turns a routine shopping trip into an afternoon of pleasure. Anchored by Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Macy's, Fashion Island also contains such high-end stores as Halston, Johnny Was, and Tesla Motors. You'll find all your favorite name brands here, including Lucky, Forever 21, Brandy Melville, and Barnes & Noble, but there are also a few unique shops worth checking out.

At Marbles: The Brain Store, you've found a toy store that focuses on your child's brain. Choose from innovative toys designed to make your child think. Chess sets, puzzles, card games and books all delight the smart kids who drag their parents here for some fun browsing.

Jonathan Adler sells beautiful home decor and furniture to make your new home feel special. The home accessories have a clean, contemporary feel with just a touch of whimsy. Stop in for pillows, sculptures, pottery and even wallpaper, all with a mid-century modern vibe.

Most Newport Bluffs residents stop at the Eastbluff Ralphs for their grocery shopping. Also on the same side of the Back Bay, nearer Fashion Island, you'll find Gelson's, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market to keep your pantry stocked with delicacies. The nearest farmers' market is actually all the way to the coast in Corona del Mar. Drop by on Saturday mornings to pick up fresh fish, homemade salsa, just-picked flowers and locally sourced produce.