Newport Beach is a wealth of culture, history and architecture just waiting to be explored. Some of the key contributors to the city's sophisticated facade are the Orange County Museum of Art, the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, the Balboa Pavilion, and the city's annual events.

Orange County Museum of Art: This museum houses a collection of both 19 th century and contemporary art that is predominantly Californian. Tours and lectures are available for art enthusiasts, and admission is nominal.

Balboa Pavilion: Built in 1904, this Victorian building was the site of many big band dances during the 1940s. Today, the structure features an amusement park and arcade games, and is used as a port for several tour boats and cruises.

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum: Hop on board The Pride of Newport to visit a collection of nautical memorabilia. Fascinating exhibits of old photographs and model ships are riddled throughout the museum.

Annual Events: Throughout the year, Newport Beach features an array of entertainment including:

• Whale watching in January to late March
• Newport Beach Film Festival in April
• Newport-Ensenada Boat Race in April
• Balboa Island Parade in June
• 4 th of July Celebration in July
• Summer Concert Series in July through August
• Taste of Newport in September
• Sandcastle Contest in September
• Christmas Boat Parade in December