*Image Credit: Tripadvisor
A gorgeous coastal city in Southern California, Newport Beach is known for its beautiful beaches, big waves, boat-filled harbor, and abundance of recreational activities. The following list draws attention to some of the most iconic landmarks in the area.
1. John Wayne's Home
Western film star and famous American icon John Wayne moved to Bayshore Drive in Newport Beach in 1965, not long after the legendary actor was diagnosed with lung cancer. Fort Wayne, Newport Beach, and the beautiful Orange County coastline was a beautiful place that filled him with nostalgia from his youth.
Sadly, many of the most popular spots where Wayne once visited have since been torn down or revamped, including his Bayshore home. Wayne Enterprises and his cancer foundation are still in Newport Beach, as is the nearby airport that bears his name and his final resting place.
2. The Pirate Home on the Peninsula
Get a glimpse of a pirate lair at one of the quirkiest and most whimsical points of interest in Newport Beach. As the name suggests, the Pirate House is a property designed to look like it's brimming with pirates swilling their grog and enjoying their pirate's booty. It's completely free to visit and teeming with incredible photo opportunities. Make sure you check out all of the windows, roofs, and even the boats docked nearby!
3. Big Blue House
The SoCal Irvine family was a notable Californian family of real estate developers who played a significant role in developing Orange County via their Irvine Company. The Big Blue House became famous because of its bold Bermuda blue color, and somebody later passed it down to the eldest grandchild of the family, Kathryn Irvine Wheeler. A circa 1936 home, the house is considered a local landmark, and after being owned by the Irvine family for decades, it eventually sold for $55 million.
4. Portabello Estate
Between Newport and Laguna Beach is the ultra-exclusive Corona del Mar, home to the incredibly luxurious and cutting-edge Portabello Estate that sprawls across 22,000 square feet. The oceanfront abode has two saltwater pools surrounded by high-grotto cliffs, a 16-car garage, eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, 10-pin bowling lanes, a high-tech movie theater, and an automotive museum. Initially owned by Attachmate founder Frak Pritt, every single room in the house offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and includes private beach access.
5. Balboa Pavilion
The Balboa Pavilion was built in Queen Anne Revival-style and established in 1906. The pavilion played a considerable role in Newport Beach's development by attracting real estate buyers to an area that was once seen as undesirable. Along with being one of the last remaining waterfront recreational pavilions from the turn of the century, the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach's oldest standing building is most well-known. Today, it continues to serve the public as a marine recreational facility.
If you’re looking for Newport Beach homes for sale, contact Newport Beach real estate agent Annie Clougherty. She’ll be more than happy to help you find the home of your dreams!
