Shopping Day in Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach, California

Originally built in the 1970s, this charming waterfront shopping area was completely redone in 2017.  Brick roads, wooden plank crosswalks, and hand-painted signs signal that you’re not in your typical seaside shopping destination. Since its reimagination, its storefronts have filled with delicious eateries and chic shops. I spent a few hours there this afternoon, and I wanted to share my finds with you.

First of all, there’s (joyfully) a large parking structure so you don’t have to spend oodles of time looking for street parking. The first hour is free, and you can get additional hours with validation from the local establishments.

As I exited the parking garage, I turned right to explore elysewalker.  This has been a Southern California mainstay since 1999, with their flagship store located in Pacific Palisades. They are home to many go-to brands including Gucci, Altuzarra, and Saint Laurent. They also have an adjoining space called town by elysewalker which is stocked with elevated basics for both men and women.

The jewelry counters at elysewalker are brimming with many of my faves, such as Julez Bryant, Melissa Kaye, and Jacquie Aiche. Speaking of jewelry, I absolutely adore the The Vault, which is an actual walk-in vault with an incredible selection of hand-picked vintage and antique jewelry, ranging from Cartier and Bulgari to Victorian pieces. It’s exquisitely displayed, and I could have stayed there and played for hours.

I absolutely adore the The Vault, which is an actual walk-in vault with an incredible selection of hand-picked vintage and antique jewelry, ranging from Cartier and Bulgari to Victorian pieces.

Ok, onward we must go. I backtracked from where I came from and continued walking down Via Lido to Aleph Gallery, a very inspiring lifestyle store. The owner, Mimi El Zein, is graceful, ever smiling, and clearly has an extremely refined eye for picking out unique merchandise for her store – most of it hand-crafted by female artisans. On this visit, I admired embroidered pillows from Bokja, late 18^th Century candelabras and the most gorgeous garments from Monica Mahoney, whose line is inspired by old Hollywood. The combination of furniture, décor items, jewelry, books, clothing, and more promises you’re in for a delightful visit.

Continuing along Via Lido, you’ll reach a prime corner location, home to Jolie. It’s a great interpretation of Southern California style, with more casual offerings from Smythe and Xirena to fancier options from Delfi, among others. Metallic leather pouches from Tracey Tanner and bags from Jerome Dreyfuss are ready to complete your ensemble.

Shopping, as you well know, definitely works up an appetite. Lunch at Malibu Farm was just what I needed – organic and farm-to-table. The inside/outside design is the epitome of life on the water, and the fried egg sandwich satisfied my every craving. Boat slips are right outside. Oh, did I fail to mention that you can sail your BOAT to Lido Marina Village? Yep…not everyone needs a parking garage.

Re-energized from my scrumptious meal, I explored more of Via Oporto. I was thrilled to discover the only west coast location of Eberjey, which honestly makes some of the softest sleepwear I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been selling it to clients for years, mostly online, so it was a real treat to experience the full line in person.

Then there’s the darling store Sugar Paper. You may have seen their noteworthy cards in a store near you, but here, at one of their three stores, you can see the full range of their line. Every card is printed in Los Angeles, and they offer tremendous bespoke options as well. I’m a firm believer in the power of the written word and the art of sending letters through the mail. This is definitely where you want to stock up on cards for every occasion!

My last stop was Broken English, which showcases an effortless mix of both contemporary and antique jewelry. I’ve been a long-time fan of their locations in New York and in the Brentwood Country Mart in Santa Monica, and I think this latest outpost is a perfect choice for the brand. Representing over 50 designers, many of them local, I spent quite a bit of time exploring the latest and greatest – enamel rings from EF Collection, square diamond rings from Leslie Paige, and some red coral Victorian charms. (Update: This location closed during Covid, and another jewelry store, Marrow, is in the same space. It’s geared toward more bridal looks.)

Time really flew by this afternoon, and I’m ever so pleased to see Lido Marina Village thriving in this ever-changing retail landscape. I think they’re really on to something by developing a small-town environment amidst the crush of urban and sub-urban life. It’s about connection and community, and that’s exactly what you get here.  If you want to see my exclusive Orange County store list, become a member of The Curated Shopper.

P.S.  If you’re a fan of uber-talented Amber Interiors, they’ll be opening a shop here in 2020!