Irvine/Newport Beach/Fashion Island/Laguna Beach đď¸
A perfect day trip through some of Southern Californiaâs most charming spotsâhereâs how to explore them, plus all the highlights! đ Start at Irvine Spectrum â Head to Newport Beach Pier Begin your day at Irvine Spectrum, then take Jeffrey Road all the way to Newport Beach Pier. The drive is easy, and hereâs a pro tip: You can park right in front of the residential houses along the way (super convenient!). Once youâre at the pier, wander onto the soft sandâNewport Beachâs shore is perfect for a casual stroll. Thereâs even a jogging path and bike lanes along the beach, so you can rent a bike đ˛ to cruise the coast if you want. The ocean breeze and sunny views? Total mood boosters! đ Newport Beach â Fashion Island Mall (Shopping Paradise!) Next, drive to Fashion Island Mallâa upscale outdoor shopping center with a vibe thatâs equal parts chic and relaxed. The mallâs four corners are anchored by four major department stores: Macyâs, Nordstrom, Bloomingdaleâs, and Neiman Marcus. Hereâs my breakdown: Neiman Marcus: My favorite! I even compared it to Shanghaiâs locationsâand this one has way more merchandise, plus unbeatable âsale pricesâ (total steals đď¸). Macyâs & Nordstrom: More affordable picksâgreat for everyday finds. I actually prefer shopping Nordstrom online, but browsing in-store is still fun. Bloomingdaleâs: Their âBloomingdales Homesâ section is awesomeâway nicer than Shanghaiâs Zara Homes (which feels a bit ârough around the edgesâ with its Spanish-style decor). Pro tip: Check the mallâs website ahead to spot small, boutique-style shopsâthey have unique, curated items you wonât find elsewhere. I definitely need to come back to explore more đ§! The best part? The mall is full of comfortable seats everywhere, and itâs open-airâso you can shop while soaking up the sun, feeling the breeze, and even catching glimpses of the ocean in the distance. Pure shopping bliss đ! đ Fashion Island â Laguna Beach (Donât Miss This Drive!) From Fashion Island, head toward Laguna Beachâmake sure to set your GPS to Laguna Downtown (easy parking there!). You can park on the street with a meter, or use a attended lot for $20 a day (worth it for hassle-free parking). Cross the street, and youâll be at Laguna Beachâa vibrant, laid-back shore where everyoneâs having a good time. Youâll see people playing beach volleyball đ, lounging in bikinis to soak up the sun âď¸, and kids laughing on the playground slides đ. Itâs such a happy, harmonious sceneâperfect for unwinding. And hereâs the biggest highlight of this drive: Take Pacific Coast Highway (PCH, Route 1) from Fashion Island to Laguna Beach! On your left, youâll pass jaw-dropping hilltop mansions (theyâre so fancy, theyâll make you pause and think about life đ). On your right? Unobstructed views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean đ. The drive alone is worth the tripâitâs SoCal beauty at its best! đ¸ A Quick Note + Future Goal I didnât take too many photos this time because I was focused on driving (and enjoying the views!), but I already have a next stop planned: Crystal Cove State Park, which is right along PCH. Itâs my upcoming âmust-visitâ target đŻâcanât wait to explore its trails and hidden coves! #Irvine #NewportBeach #SouthernCalifornia #FashionIsland #LagunaBeach #SoCalTravel