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Newport Coast questions

sls1003

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Hi, brand new TUG member! :hi: We are going to Newport Coast for the first time on an exchange in September (21-28) and I have a few questions that I'm hoping you can help me out with:

1. We, like everyone else, would love a view. I've searched the boards and read several view threads and am glad to make a request ahead of time, but my question is what is the best way to go about it. I've read to fax a request, call it in, tell them when they call, etc. and I've read all different time frames from six weeks ahead to a day or two before. What do you think is best?

2. We are doing a Sunday to Sunday exchange, will that hurt my chances? Will all the view rooms be assigned to people arriving earlier or doesn't that matter?

3. It is me and DH and DS who will be almost 2 1/2 when we go. Are there things at the resort or nearby that are good for toddlers? What about family friendly restaurants? My son's pretty good at restaurants, but he is two. :) We're stopping at Disneyland the two days before, but any other recommendations would be much appreciated!

Thanks for your help! I'm so excited to have found TUG!
Sarah
 

CATBinCO

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We were there June 8-15.

We stayed there on an exchange too but it was a non-Marriott (we own at Grand Timber Lodge in Breckenridge.) You may get a better room since you are a Marriott owner. I called about 3 days before check-in, asked if our room was assigned, they said no. I requested ocean view, top floor. I got the ocean view but first floor. After I got back I read that sometimes people ask for better rooms when they check in. I didn't do this - should have. Maybe I would have been closer to the pool. Anyways, we were in the new building (4500) which is not super close to the pools but the rooms are all less than two months old. They have a golf cart which will come and take you to the pools or activities center. The golf cart quits about 7pm though, so if you want a ride back to your villa after this time, you'll be walking. It's not a far walk though. We did it a couple times.

We also did a Sunday to Sunday exchange and we did get an ocean view. In a way it was better we got first floor because my son (who is 16 months) is a total climber, and I was perfectly fine with him walking out to the little patio. On any other floor, I'd be freaking out with him possibly climbing the balcony railing.

They have MANY activities for kids, ages 2-17. Teens actually can hang out in their own area. When you check in, they give you a copy of the week's activities. I looked at things for younger kids too (I also have a daughter who is almost 10) and they had things like "design your own tamiya race car", "decorate your own magnet", "ice cream sundae creation"...among many others. At the activities center you can rent beach chairs, umbrellas and beach toys for the day, take their shuttle down to Crystal Cove State Beach and they drop you off practically at the water. So nice to be dropped off. No hunting for parking or walking far back to your car parked across Pacific Coast Highway!

Parking at night can get a little tight, if you are coming back late. Have your husband drop you at the villa and then he can park the car down a bit.

NCV has a shuttle that will take you to the local mall (Fashion Island) which is outdoors, upscale, quite nice. The shuttle will also take you to local restaurants but it has to be after 7pm. I guess the driver has obligatory stops to make up until then. We made dinner reservations for Joe's Crab Shack at 7:30pm. He took us there, picked us up at 9:30pm. Your son might like it - it's loud, lots of music, the servers dance around intermittenly, the place is decorated to the nines.....Google them.

I could also recommend Balboa Island. (Unfortunately the shuttle doesn't go there.) You drive down PCH and follow the signs. You can take the auto ferry - it will cost you $4 to go across the harbor - then park the car. If you go after 6pm, the parking lot right where the ferry dumps you is free. There's also a Wells Fargo ATM right there. We ate at both the pizza place AND the burger place next to the carousel. We did the 90 mins. Newport Harbor tour (they give AAA discounts) and ate the Balboa ice cream bars. The harbor tour was cool. They explain who lives where (the houses are great), whose boat that belongs to, and then they go all the way out to the buoy where the sea lions hang out, at the entrance to the Pacific Ocean. Balboa Island also has a ferris wheel.

We mostly ate in our villa to save money. I do recommend making smores at the NCV fire pit. They do not provide skewers. Go to the local Albertsons where they have an entire smore making section in the store. Get your stuff there. You can make smores all night long. It's a gas fire pit. My daughter had a great time. The guys played basketball in the little "park" right by where we made smores, until 11pm when the lights clicked off. Subtle hint to leave, I guess. Some families were making smores at 11pm in their PJs.

We didn't do this - but San Diego would be roughly 90 mins away. We thought about hitting the SD Zoo and then strolling downtown. But we figured we would save that for a separate trip entirely on its own and stay someplace in SD for it.

Weather in September will be nice, still warm, all the LA kids are already back in school, crowds will be less. I am from LA, born and raised there, just moved to CO in 2002.

There is a way to avoid using the toll road if you are coming from LA. Get off the 73 freeway at MacArthur. You can turn left on San Joaquin Hills Rd and then right on Newport Coast Drive, left on Tuscany.

Or you can get off the 73 freeway at MacArthur, turn left on Pacific Coast Hwy and then left on Newport Coast Drive, right on Tuscany.

If you do the T/S tour, it's $150 bucks or 15000 MR points, your pick. At the time I wasn't a MR member (I am now though) so I spent my $150 gift card to Fashion Island.

I really loved our stay at NCV and would not hesitate to go back, esp. since I still have family in So Cal. I'm considering a resale purchase for July 4th week.
 

nspils

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There are plenty of "family friendly" places to eat in Corona del Mar, Balboa Island, Balboa Peninsula, and at Fashion Island - all within 10 minutes of "city" driving. Even adult friendly ones! Within 20 minutes driving you can extend your reach along the coast North to Huntington Beach and South to Dana Point and San Clemente.

It should be pretty warm when you are at Newport Coast, so look for places with a shaded patio.
 

sls1003

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CatBinCo, Thanks for all the great information! It's a huge help! I will definately look into the restaurants and I love the idea of smores. My son would love that. How did your son do on the 90 minute boat ride? We saw that and are really interested but are debating between the 90 minute one or the 45 minute one that does either the famous houses or the sea lions. We'd like to see both. What kind of a boat is it on? Is there room to walk around if he wants to? Thanks again!
 

CATBinCO

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Sls1003:
The Newport Harbor cruise was great for us, but the kids were a little bored. However, they bring the boat back to the dock at 45 mins. for bathroom breaks, food, etc. Your son will be able to walk around the boat, no problem. The sea lions are in the 2nd half of the cruise. The break is sort of like an intermission at a play or musical. The good stuff comes at the end. The boat is totally covered, with full windows, padded seats, probably able to seat 30-40 people at a time. My 10 yrd old fell asleep but she was being a bit "testy" with us about going at all. She did wake up for the sea lions. My 15 month old liked to look outside and didn't like being held down. That's probably why it was a long 90 minutes for us. I think with an older toddler who can understand things better, it will be more interesting. I would still bring a toy or two on board just in case. Or you can give him Dramamine before hand and have him konk out for the cruise. Ha ha!
 

davis6

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I just bought 2 weeks at NCV and was going there over the 4th of July. I tried every trick in the book that I could think of regarding the views. Fax,email,call, called my salesman, all to no avail it came down to the day I checked in. Good luck.

Crystal Cove and the tide pools will be great for your family. They have a shuttle to take you there.
 

californiagirl

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We live in Orange Co. You have chosen a perfect time to visit!! As a local, the month of Sept. is the time I go to the beach. The weather is usually beautiful and the crowds are gone. Be sure to bring a sweatshirt/jacket for evenings. If we have a high pressure system the evenings will be balmy, but if not, typically it gets chilly at night.

South Coast Plaza is a nice place to visit as well. There is a merry-go-round at the mall that your son would enjoy.

Have a great time.
 

sls1003

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Thanks Lisa! That's good to hear! We were hoping it would still be warm enough to enjoy the beaches. Is the one by NCV, Crystal Cove, a good one for little ones? I've read that there is a playground at Laguna Beach. I also read that Corona del Mar is nice. Would you recommend either of those? We'll have a car so a short drive isn't a problem. Any additional tips on restaurants in the area?
Thanks!
Sarah
 

Big Matt

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We really liked Laguna and the NCV shuttle drops off and picks up there. Please use the shuttle for both Laguna and CC. The other beach that's worth a trip is Balboa Penninsula. No shuttle, but you can drive north on the Coastal Highway and take a left on Jamboree. It takes you to Balboa Island. You can either take the ferry over and park in the metered or pay lot or leave the car on a residential street on Balboa and just take the ferry over as passengers. The beach is big, there is a nice pier, and many food options within a five minute walk.
 

tompk

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NCV

The resort also has state park passes that you can borrow for the day if you wish to drive to Crystal Cove. We usually went to the Reef Point entrance and parked in the lot there.
 

californiagirl

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My favorite beach as a local is Shaw's Cove in Laguna Beach. It would not be good with a small child. Lots of steps to get to the beach and no facilities. However if I go on a weekday in Sept., I have the beach nearly to myself. I never go to Crystal Cove, not sure why, I just don't think of it. I think the Beachcomer restaurant is at or near Crystal Cove. That is a great place for breakfast. Take a walk near the water while you are waiting for a table.

When my kids were little we always went to Corona del Mar. Parking lot next to the beach, short walk to the water, restrooms, snackbar and tidepools at the south end of the beach.

Aliso Creek is another family friendly beach. It is farther south on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway.) It is south of the Montage Hotel.

Have a great time!
 

sls1003

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Thanks everyone for all the great tips. I've noticed a lot of recommendations to take the shuttle to Crystal Cove and Laguna. Is traffic/parking really tough? How often does the shuttle run? It's great that the resort offers this and we'll certainly use it if it's the easiest way to go.

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks again! I've learned more on this thread than in the guide books I bought!
 

JimIg23

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The Crystal Cove shuttle is frequent and worth it. Laguna shuttle is not frequent, but we drove there in early July (mid-day) from NCV, we could not find a street spot and had to park in a lot where you had to feed the meter. I don't know if it is easier to find a spot in Laguna first thing in the morning or in a location you have to walk 5-6 blocks.
 

Zac495

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My kids are older (11 and 9 at the time), but maybe I can help anyway. We went out on a dolphin cruise. I think your little one would have fun.
Here's my picture trail with pics and restaurant recommendations. We like to eat in fancier restaurants - and I do recall the 2 and 1/2 year old stage - still - if he can handle it - at least eat at Brias (Mexican) because the view is stunning!

Have fun!

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17224855
 

CATBinCO

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When you check in, ask for a card that has the shuttle's drop off and pickup times on it. It will list times for Fashion Island, Crystal Cove, Laguna. I can't remember the times exactly. I also have the email address of one of the concierges if you want to email her - PM me if anyone needs it.
 

Big Matt

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For CC, you could walk, but the walk back is up a pretty steep grade and carrying anything would be a pain. It's about a mile from NVC to the sand.

Laguna has pay parking with shuttle services from the pay lots, but it's just a lot easier to take the NCV shuttle. The only reason I wouldn't recommend it is if you have very specific schedules that don't work with the shuttle.

Thanks everyone for all the great tips. I've noticed a lot of recommendations to take the shuttle to Crystal Cove and Laguna. Is traffic/parking really tough? How often does the shuttle run? It's great that the resort offers this and we'll certainly use it if it's the easiest way to go.

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks again! I've learned more on this thread than in the guide books I bought!
 

sls1003

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Thanks again to everyone for all the helpful tips! I really appreciate it!

Zac495, thanks for sharing your recommendations and pictures, they are beautiful!
 
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