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Stay Seaside At Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Welcome to Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. All photos by author (Nikki Cleveland)

Stay Seaside At Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

Southern California is an RVer’s paradise with lots to see and do year-round. We took a scenic trip down to Orange County to visit Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. They have a beautifully landscaped 100-acre property with a large sandy beach, marina, boat launch, bistro, and even a water park with an inflatable obstacle course.

Their RV sites and cottages are spaced out along three loops, including Bluff Drive, Palm Drive, and Bay Drive. They’re also divided into three sections: Standard, Deluxe, and Premium, all varying in size, views of the bay, and proximity to the beach.

Newport Dunes
Waterfront camping at its finest

RV camping in Newport Beach

Newport Dunes Resort has both pull-ins and back-ins for RVs of all sizes. The sites are mostly paved and separated from one another by a fence with greenery and flowers. Each space has full hookups as well as its own picnic table.

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Newport Dunes
Their campsites fit RVs of all sizes

With so many things to see and do, the resort also offers monthly rates through their RV Extended Stay Program. A large, spotless laundry room is on-site with coin-operated machines. Restrooms, trash dumpsters, and a dog run are all centrally located.

Newport Dunes
Bluff sites also available

Beachfront cottages

Large, studio and beachfront cottages are also available for those without an RV. Each beachfront cottage has a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, loft, TV, and WiFi.

The kitchens are furnished with a fridge, toaster oven, toaster, and coffee pot. They also have a front deck with a glass sliding door, a grassy front yard with a picnic table, and a white picket fence with a gate out to the beach.

Homey cottages are also available
Don’t have an RV? Rent out a cozy beachfront cottage

On-site water park

The water park is fun and challenging for kids and adults alike. It includes an inflatable obstacle course with slides, and watercraft rentals such as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, Duffy boats, and 4-person pedal boats. Beginning June 15, they will also offer Radiant Rides with LED-lit stand-up paddleboards after dark.

Their waterpark includes a bouncy obstacle course as well as kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals
Their water park includes an inflatable obstacle course as well as watercraft rentals

Should you need anything during your stay, they have a store by the Registration Office with a good selection of groceries and snacks, camping supplies, souvenir gifts, clothing, and other items. You can also rent out a cabana and fire pit, or a bike, go-kart, or golf cart to drive around the property.

Cabanas can be reserved on the beach
Cabanas can be reserved on the beach

Back Bay Bistro

Back Bay Bistro can be found by the boat launch with an outdoor patio overlooking the water. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a brunch buffet on Saturdays and Sundays. Their wide brunch selection has something for everyone: French toast, Eggs Benedict, fresh fruit, croissants, roasted potatoes, country sausage, smoked bacon, and a pancake station, to name a few.

Grab some brunch or dinner at their waterfront Back Bay Bistro. Grab a seat outside on a sunny day!
Grab some brunch or dinner at their waterfront Back Bay Bistro. 

Their dinner menu includes entrees like Prime NY steak and fresh organic seafood dishes. Happy Hour is 3-6 p.m. every day, and if you’re docking with them, you can enjoy food service from the comfort of your boat.

They have a fabulous brunch
They have a fabulous brunch

Their location on the sunny Southern California beach has also made them a popular spot for romantic weddings and various other events. They have a banquet room, food and beverage catering services, as well as RV site catering service for groups. If you’re bringing a boat, they’ve got a marina with full-service slips, along with a boat wash and an on-site boat launch.

Take your boat out on the water
Take your boat out on the water

Several family-friendly activities are hosted throughout the month around the resort. Don’t miss the Movie Nights on the beach (on the weekends), ice cream socials, scavenger hunts, bingo, games like dodgeball and Just Dance Wii, and DIY crafts like slime making and tie-dye shirts. Upon check-in, you receive a calendar with all of the events coming up and more information on where to find them.

Visiting Newport Beach

There are activities for all ages around Newport Beach and Orange County. Visit the Newport Beach Pier and oceanside shops and restaurants, Balboa Pier, or one of the many local golf courses or wineries.

Newport Beach Pier
Newport Beach Pier

Newport Beach is also located about midway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The resort can make an ideal home base while the family makes a trip to Disneyland nearby in Anaheim (about an hour away).

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is located in Newport Beach, just off Highway 1 and only about 15-20 minutes from the John Wayne Airport. You can learn more and make reservations on their website here.

Before you go, be sure to plan your trip with RV LIFE Trip Wizard and the RV LIFE App to find more campgrounds and points of interest along your route. You can also read campground reviews from previous visitors and learn more about their accommodations on CampgroundReviews.com.