South Coast Metro - Virtual Tour and Local Recommendations
Virtual Tour of South Coast Metro Retreat
Check out a virtual tour of South Coast Metro Retreat (our house) on YouTube by copying and pasting this URL into your browser:
https://youtu.be/bVib5Vymd54
Balboa Island Newport Beach (visitnewportbeach.com)
Drive or take a ferry to Balboa Island. Here you can stroll through small streets, enjoy dining at numerous wonderful small restaurants, take a ride on the ferris wheel at the Balboa Fun Zone, and relax at the water’s edge.
313 locals recommend
Balboa Island Ferry
Agate AvenueBalboa Island Newport Beach (visitnewportbeach.com)
Drive or take a ferry to Balboa Island. Here you can stroll through small streets, enjoy dining at numerous wonderful small restaurants, take a ride on the ferris wheel at the Balboa Fun Zone, and relax at the water’s edge.
The Newport Pier is about a 15-20 minute drive from South Coast Metro Retreat. We like to get there early before 8:00 am to buy fresh fish and crab at the Dory Fishing Fleet and Market right at the Pier. You can take a stroll or bike ride along the strand and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in SoCal, Newport Beach on Balboa Peninsula.
198 locals recommend
Newport Beach Pier
1 Newport PierThe Newport Pier is about a 15-20 minute drive from South Coast Metro Retreat. We like to get there early before 8:00 am to buy fresh fish and crab at the Dory Fishing Fleet and Market right at the Pier. You can take a stroll or bike ride along the strand and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in SoCal, Newport Beach on Balboa Peninsula.
San Diego is 1 hour and 19 minutes south. Visit the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park and Sea World. San Diego is beautiful! Do your research with regard to safety and COVID restrictions before you cross the border to Tijuana, Mexico.
290 locals recommend
San Diego
San Diego is 1 hour and 19 minutes south. Visit the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park and Sea World. San Diego is beautiful! Do your research with regard to safety and COVID restrictions before you cross the border to Tijuana, Mexico.
Disneyland/California Adventure:
No explanation needed. Only 18 minutes away by car. Take the carpool lane if you have more than one person. There is a convenient exit to Disneyland right off the carpool lane.
3085 locals recommend
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland DrDisneyland/California Adventure:
No explanation needed. Only 18 minutes away by car. Take the carpool lane if you have more than one person. There is a convenient exit to Disneyland right off the carpool lane.
Shopping and Dining
South Coast Plaza is just a 15-20 minute walk from South Coast Metro Retreat. It is the largest shopping mall on the west coast and 4th largest shopping mall in the United States. All this at a hop, skip, and a jump from your home. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s an easy way to get exercise and stroll amongst the crowds.
790 locals recommend
South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol StSouth Coast Plaza is just a 15-20 minute walk from South Coast Metro Retreat. It is the largest shopping mall on the west coast and 4th largest shopping mall in the United States. All this at a hop, skip, and a jump from your home. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s an easy way to get exercise and stroll amongst the crowds.
Upscale outdoor mall in Newport Beach. Enjoy a movie, grab dinner, and enjoy a nice, relaxing evening at this outdoor mall.
719 locals recommend
Newport Center/Fashion Island
401 Newport Center DrUpscale outdoor mall in Newport Beach. Enjoy a movie, grab dinner, and enjoy a nice, relaxing evening at this outdoor mall.
Food scene
With a convenient location just a 15 minute walk away, In-N-Out Burger is a SoCal institution! We love the fresh produce on the burger and the french fries cut fresh from potatoes right in the kitchen.
59 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
2895 Park AveWith a convenient location just a 15 minute walk away, In-N-Out Burger is a SoCal institution! We love the fresh produce on the burger and the french fries cut fresh from potatoes right in the kitchen.
If you're in the mood for pasta and old school Italian food, we recommend Maggiano's in South Coast Plaza.
12 locals recommend
Maggiano's Little Italy
3333 Bristol StIf you're in the mood for pasta and old school Italian food, we recommend Maggiano's in South Coast Plaza.
We love this pizza place. It's about a 16 minute drive from South Coast Metro Retreat. If you're near the UC Irvine campus, definitely check it out.
Sgt. Pepperoni's Pizza Store Irvine
4533 Campus DriveWe love this pizza place. It's about a 16 minute drive from South Coast Metro Retreat. If you're near the UC Irvine campus, definitely check it out.
Din Tai Fung is our go to Chinese restaurant for dumplings - they have all kinds of scrumptious dumplings. In addition, they have delicious noodle soups, vegetables, and fried rice and noodles. And it's nearby in South Coast Plaza.
85 locals recommend
Din Tai Fung
3333 PlazaDin Tai Fung is our go to Chinese restaurant for dumplings - they have all kinds of scrumptious dumplings. In addition, they have delicious noodle soups, vegetables, and fried rice and noodles. And it's nearby in South Coast Plaza.
We enjoy Saw Woo Restaurant for Cantonese seafood and other mainstay dishes. They also have classic dim sum dishes during lunch time. It's located in a shopping center with a 99 Ranch Chinese supermarket and many other Asian restaurants.
8 locals recommend
Sam Woo Seafood Restaurant
15333 Culver DrWe enjoy Saw Woo Restaurant for Cantonese seafood and other mainstay dishes. They also have classic dim sum dishes during lunch time. It's located in a shopping center with a 99 Ranch Chinese supermarket and many other Asian restaurants.
If you enjoy Vietnamese Pho noodle soup, Pho 79 is a must. It's a 16 minute drive from South Coast Metro Retreat.
22 locals recommend
Pho 79
9941 Hazard AveIf you enjoy Vietnamese Pho noodle soup, Pho 79 is a must. It's a 16 minute drive from South Coast Metro Retreat.
With a large Korean community in Irvine, you can find great Korean food. Baekjeong is our go to place for Korean BBQ.
Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong
14160 Culver DrWith a large Korean community in Irvine, you can find great Korean food. Baekjeong is our go to place for Korean BBQ.
Pho meets Fusion! If you're looking for a modern twist to your Vietnamese Pho noodle soup, check out Sup Noodle Bar in Irvine.
Sup Noodle Bar - Irvine
14370 Culver DrivePho meets Fusion! If you're looking for a modern twist to your Vietnamese Pho noodle soup, check out Sup Noodle Bar in Irvine.
In the mood for Japanese ramen? Check out HiroNori in Irvine for authentic Japanese craft ramen.
29 locals recommend
HiroNori Craft Ramen
610 E Carson StIn the mood for Japanese ramen? Check out HiroNori in Irvine for authentic Japanese craft ramen.
Morton's Steakhouse is tried and true for a delicious steak, and you have one right nearby at South Coast Plaza.
13 locals recommend
Morton's The Steakhouse
1641 W Sunflower AveMorton's Steakhouse is tried and true for a delicious steak, and you have one right nearby at South Coast Plaza.
Grocery Stores
Trader Joe's has a great selection of gourmet food, wine, and fresh produce. And we have a location just a 5 minute drive away from South Coast Metro Retreat.
175 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3329 S Bristol StTrader Joe's has a great selection of gourmet food, wine, and fresh produce. And we have a location just a 5 minute drive away from South Coast Metro Retreat.
Vons and Safeway are one in the same. Vons is just a 15 minute walk or short drive from South Coast Metro Retreat.
20 locals recommend
Vons
3650 S Bristol StVons and Safeway are one in the same. Vons is just a 15 minute walk or short drive from South Coast Metro Retreat.
This is our go to supermarket for Chinese and other Asian groceries. They have a robust meat and seafood counter plus fresh Asian fruits and vegetables that can't be found in Vons/Safeway.
25 locals recommend
99 Ranch Market, Irvine
15333 Culver DrThis is our go to supermarket for Chinese and other Asian groceries. They have a robust meat and seafood counter plus fresh Asian fruits and vegetables that can't be found in Vons/Safeway.
H Mart is our other go to supermarket for Asian groceries, especially Korean food. Bonus: it's in a mall with tons of Asian restaurants so you can stop by for lunch and then go grocery shopping.
26 locals recommend
H Mart Irvine
2600 Alton PkwyH Mart is our other go to supermarket for Asian groceries, especially Korean food. Bonus: it's in a mall with tons of Asian restaurants so you can stop by for lunch and then go grocery shopping.
Performing Arts
Also known as the Orange County Performing Arts Center, this venue is only a 5 minute drive from South Coast Metro Retreat. It's a fantastic venue for classical music, ballet, theatre, and pop music. We saw James Taylor perform there many years ago and it was fantastic!
199 locals recommend
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center DrAlso known as the Orange County Performing Arts Center, this venue is only a 5 minute drive from South Coast Metro Retreat. It's a fantastic venue for classical music, ballet, theatre, and pop music. We saw James Taylor perform there many years ago and it was fantastic!
This iconic outdoor amphitheater is a great venue for enjoying a summer evening under the stars. Can you believe the Beatles performed there in 1964! One of our favorite summertime activities is bringing a picnic there and enjoying a glass of wine while listening to great classical or pop music.
1407 locals recommend
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl RdThis iconic outdoor amphitheater is a great venue for enjoying a summer evening under the stars. Can you believe the Beatles performed there in 1964! One of our favorite summertime activities is bringing a picnic there and enjoying a glass of wine while listening to great classical or pop music.