Idyllic Summer in California- Newport Beach!

We discovered that Newport Beach is the definition of idyllic summer fun this weekend through our visiting friends from London.  Naturally.  My childhood friend Elizabeth Vlcek who moved to London after college and has been a superb tour guide for me and Lucy while abroad, was visiting family in Newport Beach with her new fiance Paul (congrats!!) over the weekend.  Elizabeth's mom and step-father had both spent summers on Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula (which are part of "Newport Beach" as are Lido Island, Harbor Island and several other islands and "villages.").

So on Saturday Napper and I, along with friends Maeve and Matt, made the drive down to visit with Elizabeth and her family at the family home on Balboa Peninsula.  It is safe to say that our minds were blown by the quaintness of the area and the phenomenon of the boating culture-- sailboats, kayaks, motor yachts and most fun of all, electric "Duffy" boats whizzing past the house.  The Balboa Peninsula and neighboring areas and islands are made up of houses lining the Bay (it's actually more desirable to have a house on the Bay than the beach here), most all of which have cool docks or outdoor areas from which to soak up the sun and enjoy the water.

After a delicious lunch of grilled fresh fish eaten outside on the patio, we loaded up the Duffy boat with some cocktails and took off at full throttle (a pleasant putt putt slow speed) to explore the water.  Seals swam alongside us, kids paddling on surf boards waved as we went by -- our little floating nautical cocktail party!  There are several restaurants and shops where you can tie up for lunch, dinner, drinks and shopping and then boat home.

It was a heavenly afternoon and has left me and Napper dying to return to rent a house, explore the area and get into the endless summer vibe that harkens back to an earlier era...

Thank you to the Vlceks and Richard for having us!!  Elizabeth and Paul- happy engagement-- can't wait to celebrate with you two further! xoxoxo

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