Fun things to do in and around the Newport-Mesa area this summer

Costa Mesa

Camp Costa Mesa

The City of Costa Mesa Recreation Division will conduct Camp Costa

Mesa 2002, a nine-week summer day-camp for children ages 6 to 12.

The camp runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, June 24 and lasts through

Friday, Aug. 23.

Campers will meet at TeWinkle Park, and can choose to pay $110 for

extended hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or can pay $90 for regular hours from

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children will enjoy many activities including games,

arts and crafts and all-day excursions to places like Universal Studios,

the San Diego Zoo, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.

Camp registration begins Saturday, June 1 at the Balearic Community

Center, 1975 Balearic Dr., from 8 to 11 a.m. for Costa Mesa residents,

and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for non-residents. Registration will be on a

first-come first-serve basis until full at the center from 9 a.m. to 4

p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (714) 754-5158 for more information.

Family Night Out

Costa Mesa Recreation Division’s Family Night Out program offers

families the chance to participate in day and night excursions with

children. The next scheduled outing will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1

when families and children will be going to the Getty Museum in Los

Angeles for the “Family Festival.” $5 per participant, and one adult must

participate with every five children registered. Call (714) 754-5158 for more information.

Trains on the tracks

On the third weekend each month, engineers climb aboard their trains

and travel on three miles of track at Fairview Park to display their

steam and diesel engines. The public is welcome to join them at the park

located at Placentia Avenue and Estancia North. The Orange County Model

Engineer program started in 1989, when engineers wanted to display their

steam and diesel engines, while educating and entertaining the community

about the past. Call (949) 548-7246 for more information.

Fight against crime

The 19th Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event

will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. Costa Mesa residents,

along with residents nationwide, will lock their doors, turn on outside

lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and public safety

personnel. Costa Mesa Police Department officers will be serving food and

sodas and raffling prizes donated by local businesses.

Mobile Skate Park

The Recreation Division’s Mobile Skate Park travels to various park

locations throughout the city three days a week to provide skateboarders

and in-line skaters a state-of-the-art skate park. The mobile park

consists of two quarter-pipes, three wedges, two spines, a fun box and

rail. Participants are required to have a signed “Waiver and Release

Form” to use the park. Appropriate safety equipment including a helmet,

elbow and kneepads are required at all times. Access the city’s Web site

ato7 www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.uf7 s to obtain a waiver form. Call (714)

327-7560 for schedule of days, times and locations of the skate park.

The Orange County Fair

An Orange County tradition returns July 12 to the Orange County

Fairgrounds. The 110th Orange County Fair will run daily through July 28,

offering a variety of exhibits, foods, entertainment, rides and hands-on

activities. This year’s theme is, “Leap Into the Fair.” The Fair will

feature a summer concert series, a working farm and petting zoos, thrill

rides, contests and games. Fair hours from July 12 to July 28 are noon to

midnight Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday through

Sunday. General admission for visitors ages 13 to 54 is $7, seniors 55

and older get in for $6, children ages 6 through 12 get in for $3 and

children 5 and younger are free. Call (714) 708-3247 for more

information.

Hot Blues on a Cool Summer Night

The Village Green at South Coast Plaza is the sight for a blues

concert and food festival on July 25. South Coast Plaza is at 3333

Bristol St. in Costa Mesa. Call (714) 284-5464 for more information.

Costa Mesa/Orange County Jazz Festival

Music from the 1920s through the 50s including boogie, Ragtime,

Dixieland, rock ‘n’ roll and swing will be on display August 1-4 at two

venues, the Hilton Costa Mesa and the Holiday Inn Costa Mesa. Call (888)

215-6222 for more information.

Annual Indian Pow-Wow

A Native American festival featuring a dance competition, native

crafts and foods will be held from August 23-25 at the Orange County

Fairgrounds. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for youth ages 12 to 17, $1

for children 6 to 11 years old and children 5 and younger are free. Call

(714) 663-1102 for more information.

Newport Beach

Annual Corona del Mar Race, Fun Walk and Dolphin Dash for Kids

A 5K race beginning on the bluffs overlooking the ocean proceeding

through the streets of Corona del Mar, a 1K Dolphin Dash for children

ages 3 to 10 and a Fun Walk open to people of all ages are all part of

the annual Corona del Mar Race, Fun Walk and Dolphin Dash for Kids on

June 1. Call Newport Beach Community Services at (949) 644-3151 to

register.

Balboa Fun Zone

Children can ride the Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round and the bumper

cars, play video games, pose for a portrait or browse through souvenir

shops along the boardwalk at the Balboa Fun Zone, which has been

attracting businesses since 1936. The fun zone offers many eating choices

as well including Balboa Bars--chocolate-covered ice cream bars sprinkled

with toppings. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 400 E. Bay St., Balboa

Peninsula. (949) 673-0408. o7 www.BalboaNewportBeach.com.f7

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Preserve and Nature Preserve

Canoe and kayak tours are available to experience six diverse habitats

for more than 200 bird species either living there or visit during the

birds’ Pacific flyway migration. Campfire programs are also offered, as

are free two-hour walking nature tours departing from Shellmaker Island

every first and third Saturday at 9 a.m. Call the Department of Fish and

Game at (949) 640-6746, or the Friends of the Newport Bay at (949)

646-8009.

Upper Newport Bay Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

Adults and children can explore 15 hands-on interactive exhibits and

communicate with the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends through

interpretive educational opportunities or watch a “visual poem” of Upper

Newport Bay presented on five monitors showing such acts as birds in

flight and the flow of running water in an estuary. The

10,000-square-foot interpretive center offers hands-on opportunities to

experience the inner workings of an estuary. 2301 University Dr., Newport

Beach. Open daily except Mondays and major holidays from 10 a.m. to 4

p.m. (714) 973-6820.

Sherman Library and Gardens

More than 2,000 plant species ranging from desert cacti to tropical

flowers can be found in the gardens at this educational and cultural

resource center dedicated to the study of the Pacific Southwest. The

conservatory on the two-acre parcel bears tropical plants and a koi pond,

and the Discovery Garden, specifically designed for those with impaired

vision, appeals to the sense of touch and is wheelchair accessible.

Docent tours available. Garden open daily, library open on weekdays. 2647

E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar. (949) 673-2261.

Lido Marina Village

Boutiques, gift shops, custom jewelry stores, art galleries and

boardwalk cafes and restaurants featuring Continental, Mexican, Italian,

Greek and California cuisine can be found on the tree-lined cobblestones

paths of Via Oporto in Newport Beach. 3400 Via Oporto, Newport Beach.

(949) 675-8662.

Cannery Village

A historic village tucked in upper Balboa Peninsula, Cannery Village

offers an enclave of shops containing anything from French provincial

furniture to sand sculptures and sterling silver items. The village is

bounded by Newport Boulevard, 31st Street, Lafayette Avenue an 29th

Street. Public parking available on 30th Street between Villa and Newport

Boulevard.

BEACHES:

Newport Beach Municipal Beach

Beach goers can enjoy everything from surfing, flying kites, beach

volleyball at the beach stretching from the Santa Ana River jetty to the

Newport and Balboa Piers to the Wedge. Municipal parking lots available

at both piers. Bodysurfers flock to the Wedge, which offers spectators

the chance to see views of boats entering Newport Harbor. (949) 644-3151.

Big Corona Beach

This family beach features fire rings, picnic tables, volleyball

courts, snack bar, restrooms and showers. City provides volleyball nets

if you bring a volleyball. Proceed south on Pacific Coast Highway and

turn right on Marguerite. Proceed two blocks to Ocean Boulevard, turn

right at the stop sign and follow signs to the Corona del Mar Main Beach

entrance. Sandcastle builders flock to this beach in September for a

sandcastle-building contest. (949) 644-3044.

Summer Concerts at Fashion Island

The summer concert series at Fashion Island begins at 6 p.m. July 3

and continues each week throughout July and August, offering a variety of

music including jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Seating for the free

concerts is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but preferred

seating can be purchased from the concierge. Future dates for the series

are July 10, 17, 24 and 31, and August 7, 14, 21 and 28. Call (949)

721-2000 for more information.

Fourth of July:

Beach-side festivities featuring entertainment, contests, face

painting and games will be offered at the Newport Dunes Waterfront

Resort. Visit www.newportdunes.com or call (949) 729-3863 for more

information.

Newport Beach’s Independence Day celebration kicks-off at Mariners

Park at 10 a.m., when the bicycle and walking parades begin. Activities

planned include a picnic, games, raffles, a barbecue and a visit by

Barnaby the Clown. Call (949) 644-3151 for more information. Spectators

joining the bicycle and walking parades should meet at Mariners Park at

9:30 a.m.

Newport Landing Sportfishing

Open party or private charter trips to local waters or Catalina

Island. Features harbor cruises aboard the Newport Landing Belle,” an

authentic sternwheeler built in 1993. Available for special events

including weddings, rehearsal dinners, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries,

graduations, meetings and cocktail parties. Open party summer fishing

available from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Boats depart daily from 6 a.m. to

noon and 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. $26, $19 for 12 and younger and people

60 and older for a half-day. Newport Landing rents rods, tackle packs and

sells fishing licenses. Packages including a ticket, rod, tackle and

license are available.

Different occupancy charter boats are available from the nautilus and

patriot boats which can hold 72 and 76 maximum passengers respectively,

to the 48-passenger amigo boat, to the 30-passenger maximum ultra boat.

Prices vary for holidays, weekends, weekdays and length of trip. Visitors

can rent rods and tackle packs and buy licenses with the charter boats as

well. Newport Landing Sportfishing is located at 309 Palm St., Suite F,

Balboa, 92661. (949) 675-0550, or visit o7 www.newportlanding.com.f7

Davey’s Locker Sportfishing

Located in the Balboa Pavilion, Davey’s Locker Sportfishing in Newport

Beach provides, full-day, half-day, 3/4-day, twilight fishing, private

charters and 14-inch boat rentals to satisfy the fisherman. Visitors can

go on fishing trips to Catalina Island and San Clemente Island, or fish

the waters of Newport Harbor for tuna, rock cod, bass, barracuda,

sheephead, sculpin, bonita and marlin.

Newport Harbor Sightseeing Cruises

Mississippi-style river boats The Pavilion Queen and the Pavilion

Paddy depart Balboa Pavilion daily for either 45-minute or 90-minute

cruises of Newport Harbor. The boats will take visitors to see fireworks

on July 4. Special luncheon and cruise rates available for groups. (949)

673-5245 or (800) 830-7744.

Newport Dunes Movies on the Beach

Every Friday night during spring and summer, the 100-acre Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort offers a series of free films shown on the sand

beginning at dusk on a 9-by-12-foot screen. Campfires will be available

for people to roast marshmallows. The next movie installments will be

“Cats & Dogs” May 24 and “Dinosaur” May 31. No admission, but parking is

$7. Call (949) 729-DUNE or visit o7 www.Newportdunes.comf7 for more

information.