Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau Blog

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Conference and Visitor Bureau

Now is the Time for Whale Watching at Newport Landing

Posted on February 27, 2012 | 6:00am

December through April is the primary grey whale migration period along the Laguna Beach coastline. During their migration, hundreds of grey whales surface within minutes of Newport Harbor! With daily whale-watching tours all year round, Newport Landing Whale Watching has three whale-watching vessels to carry passengers out to sea where they get the chance to see blue whales, finback whales, pods of dolphin that number in the thousands, seals, killer whales, sharks and many other marine creatures.

Newport Landing Whale Watching has been offering whale-watching cruises for over 20 years from Newport Bay. The Ocean Explorer is the company’s primary whale-watching vessel. At 70 feet long, this vessel has two full walk around decks designed specifically for whale watching. The Nautilus is their secondary whale-watching vessel, at 75 feet long with two decks and ample seating. The Western Pride is an auxiliary whale-watching vessel and is 85 feet long with a full walk around main deck and an elevated seating platform.

In 2011, Newport Landing Whale Watching groups saw 1,017 blue whales, 19 humpback whales, 6,358 bottle nose dolphins and 263,618 common dolphins, to name a few species of marine life spotted. 2012 seafarers have already spotted 12 killer whales during their trips!

Newport Landing offers individual ticket prices as well as group package prices, and trips are offered two times daily October-May and three times daily June-September. Companies can privately reserve a whale-watching trip for a company event or company team-building activity.

Click here to book your whale watching adventure from Newport Landing Whale Watching!

Newport Landing also offers sportfishing in half-day, ¾-day or overnight fishing trips. If you’re interested in going on a saltwater fishing trip of a lifetime, the Aggressor fishing boat will take anglers to Catalina Island, San Clemente Island, offshore banks such as the Cortez bank or Tanner banks and offshore waters. You’ll have the opportunity to catch yellowtail and white sea bass (weighing 50+ pounds!), tuna, sheepshead and red snapper.  A recent half-day trip yielded 40 perch, 28 sand bass and 10 sculpin for 28 anglers!

Click here to request a sport fishing reservation from Newport Landing!

Newport Landing is a just a few short miles from many Costa Mesa hotels. Be sure to check it out on your next stay in Costa Mesa.

Posted in Play

4 Beautiful Hotels for a Costa Mesa Wedding

Posted on February 24, 2012 | 6:00am

With its year-round sunshine, Southern California is one of the best destination wedding spots in the country! With so many great caterers, photographers, florists, local musicians, dress designers and more to choose from, having a wedding in the beautiful Orange County is nothing short of magical. If you are trying to decide on the right venue for your wedding, here are four great Costa Mesa hotels that can make your special day unforgettable, unbelievable and beautifully romantic: Read More

Posted in Misc

Improve Your Swing at a Costa Mesa Area Golf Course

Posted on February 22, 2012 | 6:00am

The great thing about Southern California weather is that almost every day is the perfect day to go golfing! Whether you are an experienced golfer looking to test your skills against man-made and spectacular natural challenges, novices interested in professional coaching or you just want to get your family outdoors for the afternoon, be sure to check out one of the following Costa Mesa area golf courses. Read More

Posted in Play

Food Truck Fare Wednesdays at the OC Fair & Event Center

Posted on February 15, 2012 | 6:00am

Calling all Costa Mesa foodies and food truck lovers! Every Wednesday from 5:30 to 9 PM the OC Fair & Event Center parking lots are filled with some of the best gourmet food trucks in Southern California. Celebrating the food truck craze that seems to have swept not only California, but the entire country, the OC Fair & Event Center is continuing their Food Truck Fare nights in 2012.

Instead of chasing trucks around your neighborhood, come to the “truck stop” that is Food Truck Fare Wednesdays and take your pick from a variety of gourmet options! Admission and parking are free for diners, and food prices will vary from truck to truck. The OC Fair & Event Center is located at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa, CA. Click here for directions. Read More

Posted in Food

3 Must-See Orange County Museum Exhibits

Posted on February 13, 2012 | 6:00am

Orange County Museum of Art

The Orange County Museum of Art is the premier visual arts organization in Orange County, California. In 1984 the museum launched the California Biennial, which has grown to become the premier exhibition for emerging artists in California. Opening February 26th, 2012, Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series is the first major museum exhibition to explore the artist’s Ocean Series. Featuring 80 works including paintings, prints, drawings and collages, the exhibition will eventually tour to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.

Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series will run from February 26 to May 27, 2012 at the Orange County Museum of Art.

Orange County Museum of Art
850 San Clemente Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
949-759-1122 Read More

Posted in Music & Art