Veronica Hill, host of California Travel Tips, travels to beautiful Newport Beach to explore this great family resort on the coast of Orange County.

Video Transcription

If you like camping, it's fun to do it in style. So if you want to combine the fun of roughing it against the backdrop of California's Riviera, you know what you do? You book a stay at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, one of the best campgrounds & rv parks in the state. Veronica Hill, host of California Travel Tips, travels to beautiful Newport Beach to explore this great family resort on the coast of Orange County. Whether you pitch a tent, rent a beachfront cottage, or bring along your own luxury RV, Newport Dunes is the ultimate family vacation with more planned social activities than you can imagine. Where else can you beat the summer heat in The OC's only ocean aquatic park and water playground, or take your pick of more than a dozen recreational rentals, including sailboats, bicycles, golf carts and inline skates? At Moe B's Watersports, you can check out a pedal boat, take a guided kayak tour, or hop on a Duffy Boat for a cruise around Newport Bay and Balboa Island. It's a great way to spot some prime Newport Beach real estate, some awesome Newport Beach homes and Newport Beach mansions. The latest rage is paddle surfing, a Hawaiian tradition that is catching on here in California. Some of our kids' favorite features were the heated swimming pool and the 1-mile bicycle path, which circles the 100-acre resort. It's perfect for walking your dog (it's one of Orange County's best pet friendly resorts), or trying out your beach cruiser on one of the best bike trails (and safest bike trails) in the area. When the sun sets on the Pacific, head over to the Village Center grocery store for some wine and S'mores makings, then stop by the beach for a campfire and family movie on the outdoor big screen. Though you can visit just for the day, I recommend at least a weekend to fully enjoy everything the resort has to offer. We loved our little 1-bedroom beachfront cottage, a Newport Beach vacation rental which comes with a sleeper sofa and a great loft for the kids. Amenities include free WiFi, TV/DVD, kitchen, and private master bedroom. If you don't feel like cooking, consider a gourmet take-out picnic from the Daily Grill in Fashion Island, a top shopping and dining destination just blocks away in the city of Newport Beach. Try to time your stay around the popular July 4 fireworks display at the Dunes, or the Newport Beach film Festival in April-May and the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Jazz Festival in May. I promise if you bring the kids to Newport Dunes, you're going to have a fun family experience. I'm Veronica Hill and that's you're California Travel Tip.