Fashion Island

The basics

Some Newport Beach city tours visit Fashion Island and give you free time to explore. You can also book private shopping tours that provide transport to and from Fashion Island. Many visitors choose to carve out a whole day as Fashion Island has more than 70 shops. Another option is to visit the retail experience on your own and plan a Newport Beach half-day or whale-watching tour after you’re done shopping.

Things to know before you go

• Wear comfortable shoes as the outdoor mall experience requires a lot of walking.

• There are plenty of food options within all types of budgets.

• If you love to shop, it could take hours to go through everything you want to—plan an entire day if you’d like to explore the whole complex.

• Some shops’ and restaurants’ hours differ from Fashion Island’s opening hours. Check online before you go.

How to get there

If you’re driving, there’s ample parking in Bloomingdale’s lot and outside Neiman Marcus. If you’re coming from Huntington Beach, get on Orange Ave heading toward Third Street, and turn right onto First Street. Next, turn left after the Dairy Queen and then left onto Newport Center Drive. If you’re taking the bus to Fashion Island, the closest bus stations are Newport Center West-Santa Barbara and Newport Center East-San Miguel, both about a 5-minute walk away.

When to get there

The best time to visit Fashion Island is in the morning when it opens, especially if you’re driving and want to find a closer parking spot. In the afternoon and evening, the lots tend to fill up. Plus, as time goes on during the day, the open-air shopping center can get crowded, too.

Nothing beats a little beach time

Before or after your visit to Fashion Island, spend time at the Newport Beach Pier and on the sands soaking in the sun or swimming in the water. The pier is about a 10-minute drive from Fashion Island, but parking is limited there. You can enjoy beach time or rent a bike or board to use across the pier.