The Balboa Inn sits right on the sand in Newport Beach, just steps from the Pacific. When you arrive with your dog, you’ll notice the location immediately—the ocean is literally at your doorstep, and the shops and restaurants of the Balboa Peninsula are within easy walking distance along the boardwalk.

The oceanview rooms give you that waking-up-to-the-sound-of-waves experience, and dogs seem to appreciate having a view too. The sundeck overlooks the water, so you can settle in with your dog while you watch the surfers and paddleboarders work the waves. There’s a spacious Jacuzzi pool on the property if you want to soak while your dog hangs out nearby on the deck.

The real draw here is the direct beach access. You can wake up, take your dog down to the sand right away, and your dog gets a genuine beach morning without any car ride. The boardwalk stretches for miles, and it’s perfect for a beach cruiser ride if you want to cover more ground than a walk allows—though you’d need to leave your dog back at the room for that. The beach itself offers tide pools, driftwood, and that particular kind of calm you get when you’re watching the water with your dog while the rest of the world feels a bit farther away.

If your dog gets sand-tired and you want to stay nearby, the shops and restaurants of Newport Beach are right there. Some places allow dogs on patios, so you can grab lunch without heading far from the hotel. The location means you’re not isolated in a parking lot somewhere—you’re integrated into the actual beach community, which makes it feel less like a pit stop and more like a real Newport Beach experience.