Anyone from Huntington Beach/Newport Beach

[Auryn]

Hi gguys
I was wondering if anyone here is from the Newport Beach/Huntington beach area in California??

I will be in Newport in April for the boat show and had a couple of questions for anyone local who would be willing to impart some knowledge.
I have traveled a lot but have never been to the west coast.

Here are my questions
- If I get a hotel in Huntington beach- how long will it take me to get to Newport Beach? (I know Cali traffic is supposed to be crazy)

-I will be driving myself around- any tips??

-Are there any activities/sightseeing you reccomend?? I will be working the boat show most of the day but I do get two half days- before and after-and Id love to make them count.
Thanks in Advance

[The Lady Mercedes]

Having recently moved to HB (I'm a block away from PCH) I can't say I know a whole lot of things yet, but there's HB pier, Balboa, Laguna Beach is nice to walk about in if you don't mind & can go a bit south of Newport. Hmmm, the traffic does suck but if u go either before 3 or after I'd say say 6 or 6:30 during the week, it's not so bad. Sundays are ok too...if I find out more, I'll be sure & post more back here....

[Becky10]

It SHOULD take about 45min to an hour to get to Newport beach but if you go from like 4-6 its going to be almost double that.

When in april are you going? Southern faire opens April 10th 

[Auryn]

Thanks guys
holy crap Becky- itll take me 45 minutes to drive 8 miles down the PCH???

[Becky10]

Auryn, I am sorry i got my words mixed up after i had to rewrite that.
It can take like anywhere from 15-25 minutes (when I've gone on weekdays)
but at like noon or rush hour when everyone is getting off work traffic can get crazy at some parts and take you almost 45 minutes. You are hitting it towards the end of spring break so it's a gamble, don't be shocked if your get stuck in some nasty traffic. It took me half an hour to go down a block one saturday.

You will pretty much be on the mercy of how many people are heading to the beach, if the lots get full cars will end up blocking up the streets waiting for an opening, which might be the case with this boat show depending how big it is.

[Bonny Pearl]

Laguna is great!  I lived there for a while.  Dana Point and San Clemente are just south of there.  If you spend time in Laguna, try The White House restaurant.  They have live music and dining.

You might just find that you want to just hop in the car, roll down the windows and just drive south on PCH.  From Newport to San Clemente you will find all sorts of neat little things to see and will have an ocean view most of that drive.

Have fun!

[The Lady Mercedes]

Oh speaking of parking-HB has meters all over pretty much now, hardly any beckstreets to park for free, so don't forget loads of change lol.

[Auryn]

Thanks guys
I understand what you mean Becky- i guess its the same as it is here one friday and saturday night when you want to take a cruise down las olas.

I found what looks to be a great little mom and pop inn basically on the beach in Newport - about 1 mile to the show.

How is the public transportation??
I'm thinking that since the hotel is only about 4 miles from John Wayne airport and I can walk to the boat show- I would only want a car to do some sight seeing. But I love good public transportation.
Any good quirky shopping to do in the area??
i would much rather not have to drive if I don't have to and I am ok with walking a mile each way.

The dates that I am expecting to be there are April 14th to the 19th.