Getting to Newport Beach without freeways

We would like to drive from Anaheim to Newport Beach on regular streets and have mapped it using Googlemaps - the route is basically straight south on Harbor Blvd to Newport Beach %26amp; Googlemaps says it%26#39;s 12.2 miles and estimates 31 minutes. So I%26#39;m assuming this is allowing for stoplights and the like as here on the prairies 12 miles takes 12 minutes.

Can someone tell me if this is a feasible route and what type of neigborhoods this drive would entail? I am hoping to miss the concrete of the freeways and see some ';real'; neighborhoods.

Thanks!

Getting to Newport Beach without freeways

The trip down Harbor Blvd is not very special. It is one stip mall after the other.

The only really good stop is the city of Huntington Beach with a great downtown area and the pier area.

A better route is to take the 5 Freeway South to the 133 Higway towards Laguna Beach then drive up the Coast Highway to Newport Beach along a truly beautiful coastline. Also, consider spending the whole day in Laguna Beach.

Have a look at Goodlemaps for travel details.

Enjoy!!

Getting to Newport Beach without freeways

Yes, the drive down Harbor Bl. from Anaheim to Newport is lined with strip malls (but it is not near Huntington Beach..the other writer may be thinking of Beach Blvd.), and it would be a very nice drive as suggested to take 5 fwy south to the Laguna Canyon route 133 and back up the coast to Newport.

However if you%26#39;re dead-set on not driving the freeway (like my mom), you can see some very nice to modest neighborhoods by making a detour from Harbor Blvd that would probably add 15 minutes to your 30 minute drive. If interested, take Harbor south to Garden Grove Bl. Turn left (east).

GG Blvd. changes names to Memory Lane. Go a couple miles and turn right on Flower St.(this is a very nice old neighborhood) Take Flower Street south through Santa Ana, the neighborhoods become more modest as you head south. Near the end of Flower at MacArthur Blvd, you can turn right and head back to Harbor Bl. (or better yet, Fairview Rd) and head south to Newport Bl, or you can turn left and take MacArthur past John Wayne Airport, then turn right on Jamboree and head to Newport, passing some very nice neighborhoods. If you stay on Jamboree and cross Pacific Coast Hwy, you%26#39;ll end up on Balboa Island where you can take the little ferry from the island to Newport peninsula, kinda fun. If you%26#39;re not interested to see Balboa Island, a right on PCH from Jamboree will take you up to Newport Blvd. Take a look at googlemaps if interested. Have fun and enjoy your stay in Orange County! Casey.

Thanks for your input - no the freeways don%26#39;t freak me out but I am interested in seeing different neighborhoods so your suggestions are great - there are always interesting places away from the tourist areas.