Post- cruise touring question

We have at least 8 hours before our flight leaves from Long Beach. Thinking of renting a car and driving down the Coast Highway thru Newport Beach.

We enjoy little artsy communities with galleries, shops and restaurants. Any neat little villages we should stop by? Thanks

Post- cruise touring question

The drive from Long Beach to Huntington Beach is basically along the ocean; once you get to Huntington Beach, it is a surfer town. There are some surfer and casual type stores downtown.

Newport Beach has Newport Beach Fashion Island (mall type shopping) and has some shops around Balboa Island area.

For what you are looking for drive just a bit further and go to Laguna Beach; this is where you will get the most galleries, shops and restaurants; the type you are probably looking for. You should have time.

http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com/

There are several good restaurants in Laguna Beach; depends on what kind of food you are looking for...

for now, see

tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g32588-Laguna_Be鈥?/a>

If you do decide to drive that far and have some more specifics on type of restaurant you are looking for, please advise.

If you go only to Newport Beach, there is a Cheesecake Factory at the Newport Beach Fashion Island, or you can go to Dukes in Huntington Beach.,

http://www.dukeshuntington.com/

Post- cruise touring question

Long Beach airport is small and easy to manage, so you won%26#39;t have to get there so far in advance to check in to your flight, as you might LAX. It will give you more time for exploring the beach cities.

Laguna Beach sounds just what you are looking for. If you like Mexican food, Las Brisas restaurant has great Margarita%26#39;s and a beautiful view of the ocean from the hill. It%26#39;s packed on weekends.

http://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com/

If you would like to be right on top of the water, The Beach House is great. It%26#39;s built in an old home, and request the oceanfront patio to dine on.

http://www.thebeachhouse.com/

If you stop at Fashion Island in Newport, we love Tommy Bahamas Cafe on Avocado Ave. out on the patio.

tommybahama.com/media/鈥ewport_AllDay.pdf