Newport Dunes may be the perfect place for a family camping trip. No matter who that family is, or where they hail from. We recently visited with relatives visiting from abroad.
Not everyone is cut out for a life of roughing it. I’m not afraid to get dirty. I love a good roasted marshmallow. I think that tents are fun! But…
There are a few things that make me (and many other like me!) a little uncomfortable about traditional camping:
- I get nervous in remote locations with multi-allergic kids (and me) so far from help should the need arise
- My family *really* likes to shower
- Not a fan of bears
- Lack of wifi and cell phone service makes my eye twitch
- Kids of many different ages and stages need different types of activities and entertainment
I was ready to throw in the towel (I like clean clothes too!) on family camping for the time being until I discovered a gem, so close to home that I’d almost overlooked it as a “destination”.
Newport Dunes is the perfect solution for a classic family camping vacation. It’s a place where nobody had to compromise, nobody has to be uncomfortable and nobody, ever, has to be bored. Staying at this fun family resort is like camping in your own back yard, with all the amenities of home, only better.
There are many lodging options for visitors to this resort that range from pre-outfitted tents to RV sites to beach cottages. All of the sites are scattered around a crescent shaped bay with walking trails, a market, a marina, a restaurant and activities close at hand.
Speaking of activities… The resort is very close to Disneyland and other So Cal attractions which makes it a great stop for out of state visitors. However, once you get there, you might never want to leave. Definitely plan some flex time into your itinerary as you’ll want to play and stay at the resort if you are visiting while on a larger So Cal roadtrip. From sandcastle building to volleyball and campfires… it’s all there in your “yard”. Some of the fun that tempted us:
- Surrey Bike Rental
- Kayaks
- Movies at the Beach
All year round the resort makes it easy for locals and visitors to have fun with family friendly themed events, contests like this hilarious cardboat boat race, seasonal scavenger hunts and more. It’s the perfect place to gather with family during the holidays in particular, with a packed calender of craft fairs, tree lightings and the famous lighting of the bay. You can pick up your Christmas Tree at Newport Dunes Tree Lot, meet Santa, enjoy a holiday meal at the Back Bay Bistro (they cater as well) and it’s a great idea to park here and take the shuttle (only $5) to the Newport Christmas Boat Parade.
I just don’t know how I went so long living in So Cal without knowing about Newport Dunes. No more camping in my own backyard. Theirs is a lot better!
Disclosure: Newport Dunes provided our family with RV parking/lodging while on a recent roadtrip, in order for us to check out the resort and facilitate this review. We only wish we could have spent more time playing at the resort. As usual all opinions are my own. We’ll be back again soon for sure!
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