🌷 A fresh start is coming to the Peninsula

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April’s here, and with it comes that perfect stretch of weather where you actually want to be out and about.

Whether it’s brunch by the water, catching a show before it wraps, or just wandering the farmers market, there’s plenty to fill a weekend. We pulled together a few highlights to make it easy. All you have to do is pick one and go.

🌊 Coastal elegance with panoramic harbor views

Set within the historic 1906 Balboa Pavilion, Harborside offers a front-row seat to the rhythmic crossing of the Balboa Island Ferry.

For Easter Sunday, the dining room balances a relaxed waterfront energy with a sense of occasion. The Filet Benedict with velvety béarnaise is a morning standout, though the orange coconut-crusted salmon remains a local favorite for later in the day.

It is a poised, airy setting where the Newport Peninsula breeze meets effortless service.

🧵 Where old jerseys become one-of-a-kind wearable art

Yokishop is simply a creative workshop that also happens to be a surf legend's living room. Owner Jeff Yokoyama, the mind behind Maui & Sons and several other iconic surf brands, runs this small studio on PCH where he hand-cuts and sews one-of-a-kind garments from discarded college athletic gear, vintage Levi's, and military jackets.

Every piece is completely unique, stitched right here in Newport Beach. The ethos is simple: make something new from something that was already here. Stop in on a weekday and Yoki himself will likely greet you at the door.

🌷 A Spring Rebirth for the Peninsula’s Heart

The Gist Newport Beach officially broke ground Tuesday on a $14.6 million "fibrary", a combined home for the Balboa Branch Library and Fire Station No. 1. The 18-month rebuild replaces our 1920s and '60s era staples with a sleek 3,770-square-foot library and a 5,400-square-foot station. By September 2027, we’ll have a new playground, more parking, and a flipped layout that helps our fire trucks hit the boulevard faster.

Why It Matters It’s a bittersweet spring; while we’re losing that old eucalyptus tree, the city is planting Western sycamores and willows to keep our "local" birds happy. This upgrade is a big win for our first responders - retired firefighter Mel Kiddie noted that modern ladder trucks have outgrown those mid-century bays!

🐾 Jolie is a striking two-year-old Domestic Shorthair mix

With a beautiful tortoiseshell coat of black and orange and at a medium size, she has a calm and steady presence that would fit perfectly into a quiet corner of a local home.

She is a thoughtful companion who enjoys steady affection and the simple comforts of a sunny windowsill. Jolie is compatible with respectful dogs, other cats, and older children. Her adoption fee is sixty dollars.

To learn more about this beautiful girl,

🎾 Newport Beach PPA Challenger | Tennis Center | Newport Beach | 04/03 | More
Pickleball tournament where amateur players compete alongside professionals.

🌿 Herb Festival: The Poetry of Spring | Roger's Gardens | Corona del Mar | 04/03-04/12 | More 
Sensory experience featuring complimentary herb tea tastings and local herbal vendors.

🎷 B.I.G. (Brothers Igniting A Groove) Live | Campus JAX | Newport Beach | 04/04 | More 
R&B, smooth jazz, and old-school funk from this Orange County band.

🐰 Easter Brunch Buffet | Newport Beach Yacht Club | Newport Beach | 04/05 | More
Harbor views, seasonal dishes, and spring celebration vibes for the whole family.

🎭 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Final Weekend) | Newport Theatre Arts Center | Newport Beach | until 04/05 | More 
A visually stunning, deeply moving play exploring a brilliant young mind.

📚 Preschool Storytime | Marina Park Comm. Center | Newport Beach | 04/08 | More
Engaging stories, songs, and activities for little ones!

🏒 Hockey Night: Ducks vs. Sharks | Honda Center | Anaheim | 04/09 | More 
Chamber-hosted evening featuring pre-game networking and NHL action for charity.