Nov Newport Beach Base for Grandparents?

Question

We are planning a 5-7 day vacation with our 6 y/o grandson and his parents (SF residents) last week in Nov. Grandparents don't want to go to Disneyland but would Newport Beach be a nice base for all of us? Newport looks attractive and would the drive to Disneyland for the parents be acceptable? At the end of the week we need to go to Agoura Hills for Thanksgiving for a night or two.. We aren't looking to swim in Nov- just somewhere attractive and relatively peaceful to base in a rental house. Would appreciate any suggestions on where to base ourselves. We could spend a night or two in a hotel near Agoura Hills since the drive to and from Newport looks too long..

Thanks in advance for any suggestions! We aren't familiar with S Calif.

Answer

Great question. Yes — Newport Beach could be a very nice base for your family, including the grandparents, for a 5–7 day stay in November. Here are some thoughts, trade-offs, and alternative suggestions to help you decide, plus how you might split things up to make travel easier and more enjoyable.

How Newport Beach might work well for your group:

Relaxed, peaceful coastal feel: Newport Beach is less tourist-chaotic than Anaheim or Disneyland-area hotels, especially in November. It’s a scenic, pleasant place to stay in a rental house, with access to the harbor, Balboa Island, and coastal walks.
Family-friendly activities for grandparents and the 6-year-old: You can enjoy the Balboa Fun Zone — a classic boardwalk / small amusement-type area on the peninsula — which is fun but not overwhelming for older adults.

Additionally, the Balboa Island area offers a pretty pedestrian-friendly boardwalk, shops, and restaurants, which could be enjoyable for the grandparents without feeling too touristy.

How the drive works for the parents going to Disneyland:

The drive from Newport Beach to Disneyland is quite manageable: it’s around 18 miles (about 29 km) and typically takes ~25 minutes under normal conditions.
That said, traffic in Southern California can be unpredictable, so timing matters. As one local on TripAdvisor noted, on good days it’s around 30 minutes, though surface streets and congestion can make that longer.
If the parents are okay with a short daily drive (or even occasional rideshare), this setup allows the grandparents to have a quieter base while the rest of the family does Disneyland.”

Things for grandparents (and everyone) to do around Newport Beach in November:

Balboa Fun Zone & Harbor Cruise: The Fun Zone has rides, arcades, a Ferris wheel, and harbor‐cruise options — great for relaxing but still family-friendly.
Balboa Island stroll: The paved boardwalk around Balboa Island is lovely, and the ferry is a charming way to cross the harbor.
Crystal Cove State Park: Nearby, this park has coastal cliffs, tide-pools, and some gentle trails. Even if you don’t swim, walking or a light hike (weather permitting) could be very pleasant in November.
Scenic drives and relaxing beach time: November is off-peak, so the beaches and coastal areas are likely quieter — great for morning or sunset walks.

Considerations & challenges:

Traffic risk: While the drive to Disneyland is short in ideal conditions, Southern California traffic (especially around freeways) can be heavy. If parents are doing daily park runs, they’ll want to plan around peak traffic times.
Accommodation cost: Renting a house in Newport Beach (especially a larger one for a multigenerational trip) could be more expensive than staying closer to Disneyland, though you may get more space and a nicer, more relaxed environment.
Transit options: Public transport is limited for this kind of daily commute, so having a car (or relying on rideshare) is likely necessary. Some Redditors note that driving is usually more practical than public transport for these sorts of trips.

Regarding your stay in Agoura Hills for Thanksgiving:

It may make sense to split your accommodation: stay in Newport Beach for the bulk of the trip, then move to somewhere near Agoura Hills (or in the hills / a nearby town) for the Thanksgiving night or two. This reduces long drives on Thanksgiving Day and makes things more relaxing.
Some hotel options around Agoura Hills / Westlake Village include: Sheraton Agoura Hills or other chain hotels.

My recommendation:

Yes — Newport Beach is a very attractive and practical base for your multi-generational trip. It gives the grandparents a calm, scenic place to stay, while still allowing the parents and child to reach Disneyland fairly easily. Splitting your stay to include a night or two near Agoura Hills sounds wise for travel and logistics around Thanksgiving.

Nov Newport Beach Base for Grandparents?

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