Newport Beach Balboa Pavilion in Newport Harbor
Newport Beach-- has many
claims to fame when it comes to sailing. While nearby Long
Beach, which is almost faster to access by boat than by car,
says it has the largest municipal marina in the USA, mooring up
to 4,000 boats, yachts and vessels, Newport Beach's sailing and
aquatic history ain't too shabby (pardon the slang.) From early
silent movie filming which took place in the Newport Harbor with
Buster Keaton in the hilarious black and white movie, The Boat,
to other adventure, comedy and thriller shorts and full length
films, you can't help but giggle when you enter the Newport Bay
and think about its history relating to films.
From a city that
celebrates the movie industry each year with the Newport Beach
Film Festival, it is only fitting to relive in your mind the
antics of Keaton, who builds a boat, The Damfino, inside his
garage that's too big to get out. If you're ever fortunate to
see the film premiered with live organ accompaniment, to boot,
enjoy the laughs and remember the scenes as you visit and enjoy
the Newport Harbor. In addition to this movie and many
more, such as a scene from Cleopatra, starring Theda Bara, was
filmed in the Newport Back Bay. If celebrities are your thing,
the Hornblower Cruise plies its way through the harbor for
relaxing dinner and dance cruises in John Wayne's former luxury
yacht, the Wild Goose.
One of the finest Boy
Scout sailing programs on the planet is housed along the Newport
Bay at a place called Sea Base. Sitting next to it is one of the
oldest yacht clubs, the Balboa Yacht club. While Boy Scouts
living in Orange County can partake of the luxury facilities and
learning opportunities at Sea Base's aquatic program, you have
to be born into or inherit one of the memberships at the
esteemed Balboa Yacht Club next door. Still, there are several
other yacht clubs you may qualify for in lovely Newport.
The Newport Beach harbor
offers several daily boat tours of the bay with trivia, closer
views of mansions on private islands, and dirt on the celebs,
there also are fishing excursions,
Newport Landing whale watching trips, and a
daily jaunt to our "club med" of California, Catalina Island.
Hop aboard the Catalina Flyer for an hour-long ocean ride
to an island that's a trip.
For vacation water and bay
experiences, Newport Beach really is tops, we believe. You can
rent Duffy electric boats (the Duffy was invented here,) rent
motoboats, jetskis, kayaks, take parasailing rides, and even a
gondola, all in the Newport bay. Such a lovely place!
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