We stayed in Newport, by John Wayne airport in October, and this area is currently extemely auto-oriented. Some of Newport Beach, especially Corona del Mar and the Newport Peninsula is fairly walkable. Newport Center/Fashion Island could also be a decent area if 2-3 high-rise residential buildings were built.
Developer plans walkable neighborhood in Newport Beach
Uptown Newport Village will replace two industrial buildings with a walkable neighborhood of shops, restaurants, parks and upscale housing.
By Roger Vincent
March 12, 2014
LA Times
"Newport Beach, one of Southern California's most affluent cities, is about to transform an industrial area near John Wayne Airport into a distinctly urban community of homes and shops.
Uptown Newport Village will replace a pair of aging industrial buildings on 25 acres near the airport with a walkable neighborhood of shops, restaurants, parks and upscale homes and apartments, according to Shopoff Group, an Irvine developer.
Mayor Rush N. Hill, who is an architect, said he is excited about the project and pleased that it will be a dense neighborhood by local standards…."
http://www.latimes.com/business/real...#axzz2vo3Cm7f2