A Day Trip to Newport | Whale Watching 🐋, Sunset 🌅, Ferris Wheel 🎡

Last year, I went whale watching at Newport Beach by boat for the first time. I was full of anticipation 🐋, but the wind was so strong that the boat turned back after sailing for only half an hour. The boat company was very thoughtful and gave me a replacement ticket, so I kept it safe. A year later, I finally set off again (never thought the replacement ticket would still be valid, haha) 🚤! Although we still didn’t get to see any whales, we were greeted by a group of dolphins 🐬 following the boat all the way, and sea lions 🦭 lying on buoys to sunbathe. That moment was such an unexpected surprise. This time, I planned my itinerary on Balboa Island—from morning to night, all eating, drinking and entertainment were within this area, making the whole day very fulfilling (the travel guide is on the last few pages!): 🕘 Morning | Beachside Brunch📍 Lighthouse Cafe (Balboa Island)• The harbor view is fantastic, and the seats with floor-to-ceiling glass windows are highly recommended.• Average cost per person: $20–30• Recommendations: Eggs Benedict 🥚, seafood salad, muffins👉 After eating, you can take a walk along Balboa Pier on the way. 🕐 Afternoon | Whale Watching at Sea📍 Davey’s Locker Whale Watching (Balboa Island Dock)• Boat ride duration: About 2 hours, average cost per person around $80• Arrive at least 1 hour in advance (parking and ticket collection take a lot of time)• A jacket is a must— the wind at sea is extremely strong. 🕔 Evening | Ferris Wheel + Island Stroll📍 Balboa Ferris Wheel• A vintage small ferris wheel, ticket price around $10• You can see the entire harbor and island scenery from the top• There are cafes, small shops and bike lanes nearby—feel free to wander around. 🕖 Night | Watching Sunset at the Pier📍 Balboa Pier• Sunset time: Around 6 PM in the evening (varies by season)• The best spot is at the end of the pier, where you can watch the Pacific sky gradually turn golden-orange 🌅 Seeing whales is a matter of fate, but the group of dolphins and the one-day itinerary on Balboa Island have already made this trip very special! Starting with brunch, then whale watching at sea, followed by the ferris wheel and sunset at the pier—this one-day trip to Newport Beach is truly complete. #CaliforniaTravel #Newport #Whale #Dolphin #Irvine #LA #CaliforniaLife #LosAngeles #Seaside #BalboaIsland