This past Thursday, I went to the Blue Beet for a date night out. We had such a great time! The Blue Beet was built in 1912, and it still pulls off a modish rock and roll ambiance. There was an excellent live cover band playing called Sound Cake (they have live music every night)! They covered some of my favorite songs like “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Ring of Fire,” “Don’t Stop Believing,” and many more. There was a crowd of people singing and dancing, so we joined in on the fun.
They have a great selection of wine and draft beers, several of which are brewed locally at Steelhead Brewing Co. in Irvine. The bartender poured the perfect pint of Lord Stanley Stout. I was impressed that he actually took the time to let the first three-quarters of the pint settle before pouring the rest and the forming the signature foamy head. Delicious! They are known for their premium shaken martinis. I can’t wait to go back to try their signature Blue Beet Martini, which consists of Finlandia Premium Martini Vodka and Chambord, with a Lemon Twist, a Splash of Sweet & Sour, and Pineapple Juice.
At the end of the night, we walked across the street to the Newport Pier for a romantic end to our evening. Next time, I’ll check out their happy hour, which is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Before the yachts - before the homes - before Newport Beach existed as it is known today, the Back Bay existed in primordial splendor - the original historic landscape of Alta California. Renowned for being one of the most critical stopovers for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway and a sanctuary for many endangered species, this 900-acre nature preserve and marine estuary was recently featured on Huell Howser’s PBS series California Gold.
To fully comprehend the importance of this magnificent estuary in a heavily populated urban environment, take yourself and the family to visit the amazing hands-on Interpretive Center at the North end of Back Bay. Located at the intersection of Irvine Blvd. and University Drive, just south of the airport, this is the best kept secret not only in Newport, but probably most of the OC. You won’t see the building from the street, all you’ll see is the earth-colored triangular concrete sign indicating this is the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. Park the car, or tie up the bike and walk the dirt trails that lead down to the water. Built from recycled materials (including melted-down handguns confiscated by local law enforcement), this uniquely-designed “earth shelter” is built right into the bluffs with natural vegetation as its roof. Viewing the 7-min. film Life in the Salt Marsh contributes immensely to your understanding of the importance of these coastal wetlands. Open free to the public, 10:00 am-4:00 pm, every day of the week except Mondays, this unique and creative center even has a special kids’ room so young explorers can get close up and personal with all kinds of creepy, crawly things. 
And you thought Disneyland had the best parade on the planet – not even close! Every 1st Sunday of June, Balboa Island launches the single, greatest “epic” parade on the planet! Generations of Island residents are either in the parade, or watching from the sidelines. Locals compete with float entries from the various gemstone streets – everyone gets in the act!
You’ve ridden the oceanfront boardwalk now for years with all the visiting relatives and friends. Ready to expand your universe? There are some fabulously exhilarating routes that require perhaps a little more energy and OK, some that require nerves of steel. Some weekends the boardwalk can resemble the 405 Fwy., and that’s when you’ll welcome a change of pace.
