Author: marlowe

Whether you enjoy a completely laid back vacation with minimal activity or you’re the adventurous type who wants to get out and explore, Newport Beach is a great place to get the vacation you’ve been dreaming of. For those who love to try new things and see it all, there’s plenty to explore near our Orange County beach house rentals. Here are just a few of the great activities to try in Newport Beach!

Learn To Surf

If you’ve ever wanted to learn to surf, Newport Beach is a great place to do it! While experienced boarders flock to The Wedge for some of the best waves on the West Coast, the area by Newport Beach Pier is home to waves that are better suited for beginners and longboarders. There are plenty of surf shops and surf schools in Newport Beach where you can rent surfing gear and learn to surf from a professional instructor. Learn To Surf is one of the area’s most popular surf schools, while Endless Sun Surf School is also a great option as is Banzai Surf School.

Balboa Fun Zone

This popular amusement park by the pier is great for families or anyone who is young at heart! It’s a great place to enjoy some lighthearted fun with views of the ocean. You’ll find carnival games, bumper cars, and of course the ferris wheel, which is the ideal place to catch the sunset over the water.

Crystal Cove State Park

Just 15 minutes down the coast from Newport Beach, Crystal Cove State Park is well worth a visit during your stay at our Orange County beach house rentals! It’s the perfect place to go for a hike or bike ride, snap photos of the gorgeous views and local wildlife, or explore the tidepools.

Whale Watching

December through April is the best time to go whale watching! There are multiple whale watching tour providers to choose from, but among the best are Newport Landing Whale Watching and Davey’s Locker Whale Watching & Sportfishing. Newport Coastal Adventure is also a solid option. Whichever you choose, know that you’ll be out on open water, so packing some light layers is a good idea. You’ll also want sunglasses and sunscreen as well as cameras and binoculars if you’ve got them!

Balboa Peninsula Park at the Pier

By the Balboa Pier, this oceanfront park is home to a great spot for picnics and games. With picnic tables, a multiuse field, playground, and water fountains, the park offers a low-key spot to relax near the water for an afternoon with the family. You’ll also find great eateries and a bike trail nearby. Meanwhile, at the end of the pier, you’ll find the iconic Ruby’s Diner and the ideal spot to watch the sunset.

That’s it for our top Newport Beach activities! If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and seasonal updates for guests at our Orange County beach house rentals.

Have you ever thought about stretching while on vacation? Yoga lovers may have stretching top of mind even on vacation, but for many of us, stretching is an afterthought at best, especially when we’re on vacation where daily routines can fall by the wayside. Still, there are lots of great reasons to stretch while on vacation! Oftentimes, vacation can actually strain our muscles more due to an increase in physical activity, adjusting to a bed that your body may not be used to, and the hours of sitting you often undergo on the way to your vacation rental (either in a car or plane). Luckily, there are some easy stretches you can do from your house for rent in Newport Beach that will help prevent injuries and enhance your relaxation while you enjoy the beach!

Lunging Psoas Stretch

Especially if you’re used to working from home or the office, the psoas muscle (AKA the hip flexor) tends to be contracted for extended periods. Meanwhile, our glutes, core, and quads also naturally atrophy, resulting in weaker muscles surrounding the hip flexor muscles. These factors can easily lead to a sore hip flexor that may be felt as lower back or hip pain. If your psoas muscle is naturally tight, it can be easy to accidentally strain it while doing normal vacation activities, which is why a lunging psoas stretch can be a great way to prevent injury while on vacation.

To stretch your psoas, get in a lunging position with one knee on the floor (preferably on a mat or pillow to protect your knee) and the opposite foot flat on the floor in front of your body. You should feel a light stretch on the side of your body with the knee on the floor, in the front of your hip area. To increase the stretch, stretch your arm towards the ceiling on the same side of the body being stretched. You may also lean forward slightly, but do not extend the stretch to the point of pain.

Seated Glute Stretch

A seated glute stretch is a great way to refresh your tired glute muscles after hours sitting in a lounge chair or plane seat! To perform this stretch, all you need is a flat-seated chair.

While seated, ensure your back is straight, and your knees form 90-degree angles with your feet flat on the floor. Then bring one of your feet up to rest on the opposite quad or knee. You may use your hands to pull your leg into a comfortable position (your ankle or lower calf should be resting on your mid-quad). Once in position, you should feel a light stretch in the glute of the leg that is crossed over your opposite knee. You may increase the stretch by leaning forward over the crossed leg, keeping your back straight as you go.

Ear To Shoulder

If your idea of a great vacation includes throwing a frisbee, playing bocce, building a sandcastle, or carrying a bunch of gear out to the beach, it’s important to care for your neck and shoulder muscles! The ear to shoulder stretch can be a great way to reduce strain in these areas.

This one’s simple: just lower your left ear towards your left shoulder (or your right ear to your right shoulder) as far as it will go without straining or lifting your shoulder. You should feel a light stretch in the neck on the opposite side. You can increase the stretch by gently using one arm to press your head further down, but avoid doing this to the point of pain or strain in the arm or shoulder.

Piriformis Stretch

This is another glute stretch that helps release tension in the piriformis muscle, which is located within the pelvis area, near the psoas. Like the psoas muscle, the piriformis naturally gets contracted when we sit, so it can suffer if you’re used to spending most of the day sitting.

To perform this stretch, lie on your back with your knees up, then place one of your feet on top of the opposite quad, just like you would for the seated glute stretch. Then use your hands or a resistance band (clasped around the front or back of the knee, whichever is more comfortable) to pull that opposite leg toward your chest as far as you can go without pain or strain the back or glutes. You should feel this stretch along the glute and upper hamstring of the crossed leg.

Cat-Cow

Cat-cow is an easy stretch that alleviates tension in your back and chest, making it a great stretch for those who find themselves hunching a lot. It tends to be a gentle option that doesn’t create strain, so it’s a great place to start for those with limited flexibility.

The cat cow stretch oscillates between two positions (“cat” and “cow,” hence the name) which each stretch your chest and back in different ways. To start, get on your hands and knees and arch your back upward so that your shoulders are lower than the crest of your back. Then, whenever you’re ready, arch your back in the opposite direction, bringing the middle of your spine downwards toward the floor so that your shoulders and hips are higher than your mid-back and lift your head up to look toward the ceiling. You can take this one at your own pace, switching between positions as many times as you like.

That’s it for our top stretches while on vacation at our houses for rent in Newport Beach! If you’d like to see any future tips and recommendations from us in the future, make sure you bookmark our blog page for easy access to upcoming posts. Finally, if you don’t want to miss out on special promotions and seasonal updates for our vacation rentals in Newport Beach, CA, follow us on Instagram!

When you’re on vacation at our beach house rentals in Newport Beach, having to cook a dinner for the whole family (or even just yourself) can sometimes put a damper on your relaxation. After all, you came to Newport Beach to get away from it all, so cooking can easily feel like an unwelcome chore, especially if you’re cooking for a crowd. That’s why we always recommend keeping it simple when cooking on vacation! A simple meal doesn’t have to be boring or bland and we’ve got the tips to prove it. These simple tricks can help you keep things simple yet delicious so you can get back to enjoying your beach vacation.

Turn Up The Heat

A common mistake people make when cooking is not getting a good sear on their meats and veggies. A higher heat can be intimidating, but most stoves should be set to medium-high or so to make sure you’re getting a crispy, flavorful sear on your grilled foods. You can also achieve a great sear by putting meats and veggies over direct heat when you fire up the grill, then moving to indirect heat to complete the cooking process.

That nice sear is important not just because it looks appetizing, but also because it’s the source of a ton of additional flavor that really makes grilled foods shine. The browning of meats, veggies, and other foods is called the Maillard reaction and it’s responsible for a lot of flavorful compounds that can take a simple meal from bland and boring to packed with flavor.

To further promote that delicious sear, avoid over-stirring or over-flipping foods while grilling. In general, vegetables and meats can stand to sit in a hot pan with a little oil (or over direct heat on the grill) for a couple minutes before they need to be stirred or flipped.

Use Fresh Ingredients

Using fresh ingredients can make all the difference in the world, especially when you’re working with a simple recipe. As often as you can, use fresh, not frozen ingredients and make sure your spices, cooking fats (like butter and oil), and other pantry items aren’t past their best by dates.

In the case of spices and other seasonings, the freshness of the ingredients can make a particularly big impact. Dried herbs are convenient because they keep for longer, but fresh rosemary, oregano, or sage can transform a dish visually as well as in flavor. Fresh parsley or basil can be added just before serving for additional flavor and color.

Season At Every Step

Speaking of seasonings, it’s important to season at multiple steps in the cooking process in order to ensure you’re getting the flavor payoff you want. A generous amount of salt should always go in water used to boil pastas and grains or poach eggs, chicken, or veggies. Salt and pepper are the essential seasonings for meats before they go into the pan or baking dish. Hardy herbs like rosemary can be added early on, while citrus or vinegar is an excellent tangy addition that should be saved for the end.

Whenever possible, taste your meal as you go and add seasoning to taste. Not tasting as you go is the easiest way to end up with bland, boring meals without knowing where you went wrong.

With these tips in hand, we hope you’re feeling excited to whip up some simple but delicious meals while on vacation at our beach house rentals in Newport Beach! If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re follow us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and seasonal updates for guests at our Orange County beach house rentals.

Many visitors to our Newport Beach house rentals are excited to get back to traveling with friends and loved ones and we’re thrilled to host you! Still, while much progress has been made in the pandemic response among our communities, it’s wise to be mindful of the risks of COVID transmission, especially with new variants causing resurgences of COVID cases. When gathering in your vacation rental, there are some easy steps you can take to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission while still allowing you to reconnect with people in person and fully enjoy your vacation. Here are a few of the tips we recommend.

Maximize Your Time Outside

Our Newport Beach beachfront rentals are the perfect place to enjoy time outdoors, so why not take advantage of it? Spending time outside where the constant circulations of fresh air lowers the chance of transmission is a great way to lower your risk of contracting COVID while enjoying the best of Newport Beach. So soak up some rays, make a sandcastle, hunt for shells, or play some beach games.

Turn on Ceiling Fans

Improved air flow can also be achieved by turning on ceiling fans as well as any other portable fans you may have brought with you. The more that air circulates and disperses, the less likely you are to be exposed to large amounts of airborne virus particles.

Open Doors and Windows

When the weather is right, opening doors and windows further improves airflow and helps diffuse any airborne pathogens. Just be mindful that you don’t leave doors and windows open when it’s raining, very humid, or if you see pests outside that may want to get into your nice cozy rental home.

Don’t Share Dishes or Silverware

We know that surfaces don’t play as large a role in virus transmission as was once speculated, but coming into contact with someone else’s saliva or breath can still be a risk. If you are vacationing with others, avoid sharing dishes, bottles, silverware, and the like in order to reduce the risk of transmission. We have high quality dishwashers in all our vacation rentals so having freshly cleaned dishware is never a challenge.

Bring Hand Sanitizer

Whether you pack it in your suitcase or pick it up at the local grocery store once you arrive in Newport Beach, having hand sanitizer on hand (pun intended) can help further reduce the chance of transmission. This is particularly useful if you spend time at local shops or restaurants where you may come into contact with surfaces others have touched recently. While plain old hand soap is sufficient to wash away virus particles throughout the day, hand sanitizer is a great alternative to quickly sanitize while out and about.

Wear Masks

Of course, many of us are excited to gather without masks, but if you’re concerned about virus transmission risk, it’s a great idea to bring a mask to wear to any indoor shops or large gatherings you may attend in Newport Beach during your vacation. If you took a plane here, chances are you had to bring a mask with you anyway, so don’t be afraid to make use of it if it makes you feel more comfortable!

That’s it for our COVID-conscious gathering tips! If you’d like to see any future tips and recommendations from us in the future, make sure you bookmark our blog page for easy access to upcoming posts. Finally, if you don’t want to miss out on special promotions and seasonal updates for our vacation rentals in Newport Beach, CA, follow us on Instagram!

Are you a fan of tabletop games? Sometimes there’s nothing better than a good, old-fashioned game night with friends or family, especially after a long day at the beach! After a good meal while you’re settling into an evening of relaxation, these easy-to-learn games can help bring everyone together for family time or raucous laughter between friends. In the spirit of game night, we’re rounding up some of our favorite card, board, and other tabletop games for groups big and small. Each of these games is easy to pack in your vacation bag and perfect for a casual game night at our Orange County beach house rentals.

Exploding Kittens

A party classic, this quick, irreverent, and dynamic card game pits 2-5 players against each other in a battle to see who can survive the longest without getting “exploded” with a—you guessed it—exploding kitten. The game is easy to learn and doesn’t take long to play, so it’s perfect for smaller groups of any skill level and just about any age. Play as many rounds as your group has the appetite for, and stop whenever you like. The flexibility and silliness of this game are two of its main draws.

Codenames

Codenames is the perfect game for groups with an even number of players who want to challenge their minds. Codenames requires players to make associations between several words that may have only tenuous connections between them in order to guess all their team’s words before the opposing team guesses theirs. This game can be played with anyone, but is especially fun for groups with a lot of shared experiences and interests—groups that share a wavelength, as it were. That’s because clue-givers and guessers will be attempting to read each other’s minds and guess how the other thinks about a variety of concepts.

Catch Phrase

If your group enjoys games of speed and quick thinking, Catch Phrase is a great option. Competitive but team-based, this game has a nice balance of camaraderie and cut-throat energies, so it can suit a variety of player types. Part hot potato, part guessing game, Catch Phrase rewards those who are invigorated by thinking on their feet and outside of the box. Plus, it can support any even number of players. Odd-numbered groups can still play as long as one person is willing to only be a guesser and never a clue-giver, playing for both teams.

Telestrations

Nobody wins or loses in this drawing game. In fact, the game is most fun when things go awry, making it an excellent game for groups that aren’t necessarily in it for a competitive atmosphere. Telestrations is like having several games of telephone going at once, only instead of whispering to your teammates, you’re transmitting the clue by quickly attempting to draw it. This game is easy to find online or in stores and comes in a regular set accommodating up to 8 players, or a party pack that up to 12 players can enjoy.

President

Sometimes called Scum (or other, less repeatable names), President is played with a regular deck of cards and can accommodate 3-8 players, or more if you use multiple card decks. President can be played straight up or as a drinking game depending on your group’s preference. This is one of those card games with a lot of rules variations that you can pick and choose to suit the preferences of your group and it evokes a spirit of friendly competition as players vie for the most desirable positions. Plus, you can play for just a few quick rounds or as long as you like, depending on how much fun folks are having.

A word of warning, though: sore losers may hate this game, as they will not only suffer defeat, but will also be forced to don a title that adds insult to injury, suffer in-game disadvantages, and, depending on your particular cocktail of variant rules, potentially be forced to perform unpleasant duties due to their position at the bottom of the game’s hierarchy. They’ll have a chance to raise their station every round, and the rankings do frequently change, but be aware that President may not bring out the best in folks who already have a tough time seeing the fun in a game they are losing.

What’s your favorite tabletop game? We hope we’ve given you some new options to add to your list! If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and seasonal updates for guests at our Orange County beach house rentals.

Although some people enjoy great sleep on vacation when the stress of our day-to-day life falls away, others can struggle with sleeping due to the shift in routine. Just sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, even the high-quality ones at our Newport Beach house rentals, can be enough to throw your circadian rhythm for a loop. Luckily, there are some simple strategies that can help you get great sleep while on vacation. These four tips can get you on the right track.

Maintain a Consistent Routine

Vacation usually presents a routine that contrasts significantly with our usual home life. Try incorporating aspects of your home routine (especially your evening and morning routines) into your vacation schedule to keep your body’s sleep schedule a little bit more consistent. Your body works best when it has a consistent routine, so waking up at a consistent time and setting a typical bedtime (one that allows you at least 8 hours of sleep) is the single best way to ensure that you sleep well and feel rested when you wake. Additionally, if you typically go for a morning run or have a hot herbal tea in the evening to wind you down, try keeping up with those habits as much as possible.

Take Time to Wind Down

Similarly, having a wind-down routine can be a great way to signal to your body that it’s bedtime and help you get to sleep faster. Give yourself 30 minutes or more to do something relaxing before bed, whether that’s drinking herbal tea, journaling to clear your mind, or listening to a fun podcast. You could even do some simple vinyasa in your bedroom or out on the deck if the weather is right. And of course, brush your teeth, wash your face, take out your contacts, and all that good stuff. Maybe even take a relaxing soak in the tub or rinse in the shower. Your body will thank you.

Curate Your Environment

Although there are those who can easily fall asleep anywhere (and we’re jealous of them!), for most of us, having a peaceful space to rest is a must! Luckily our Newport Beach house rentals are cozy, comfy, and climate-controlled. Give yourself the gift of a good place to sleep by keeping your bedroom clean and comfy. Fluff your pillows, make your bed, maybe get an essential oil diffuser going, if that’s your thing! If noisy distractions sometimes keep you from sleeping, consider bringing a white noise machine (they’re inexpensive and easy to find online). Or just let the sound of the ocean waves lull you to sleep.

Beyond that, did you know temperature can make a big difference to your sleep? The human body sleeps most comfortably at between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so try turning the temperature down a bit at night, especially when the weather is hot! A cold room and cozy blanket can be the perfect combo for better sleep.

Have Healthy Eating & Drinking Habits

You might be surprised by how much food and drink can influence your sleep cycle. The human body isn’t great at getting to sleep when it’s hungry or when it’s very full—besides feeling uncomfortable, it also affects the chemicals your body produces and those chemicals can interfere with your Circadian rhythm. In general, avoid eating right before bed, and avoid large meals within about 3 hours of bedtime.

If you drink, it’s important to be aware that alcohol can also be a culprit of poor sleep. Even though alcohol is a depressant and can make you feel sleepy, sleeping after drinking alcohol can result in poor sleep quality and irregular sleep patterns. It’s best to avoid excess drinking, especially right before bed, if you’re hoping to get a restful night’s sleep.

That’s it for our tips for better sleep! If you’d like to see any future tips and recommendations from us in the future, make sure you bookmark our blog page for easy access to upcoming posts. Finally, if you don’t want to miss out on special promotions and seasonal updates for our vacation rentals in Newport Beach, CA, follow us on Instagram!

When you’re vacationing at our Orange County beach house rentals, we understand that preparing dinner and cleaning up afterwards can sometimes put a damper on an otherwise relaxing day. That’s especially true for those vacationing with a large group of friends or family members! That’s why a one-pot dinner can sometimes be the best solution to save you time and effort so you can get back to enjoying your vacation! Here are some of our favorite one-pot dinners you can make easily at your vacation rental in Newport Beach.

Hearty Soup or Stew

There are tons of soups and stews that can easily be made in a single pot on the stovetop. You can find them easily online, or you can just start from scratch with your favorite ingredients. You’ll usually begin by frying ingredients like onions, garlic, peppers, carrots and other hardy vegetables in a bit of oil until softened, then adding any protein you may want like ground beef or chicken and cooking until browned. Next, add liquid ingredients like broth or tomato paste/sauce and simmer until reduced to your desired consistency. As you cook, season to taste, and towards the end, add any delicate ingredients that don’t need to cook long, like spinach and kale.

Simple Stir Fry

Stir fries are super easy as long as you use a nice big pan from our fully-equipped kitchens. All you have to do is add your favorite veggies and proteins to the pan in order of how long they take to cook, then toss in your favorite sauce—either store bought or homemade from simple ingredients like rice vinegar and sesame oil. For an extra pot but also extra longevity, serve with simple white or brown rice or a similar grain.

Sweet & Spicy Curry

Many curries only require one pot, making for super simple cleanup. Fry your veggies, brown your meats, then simmer in your favorite store-bought sauce or create your own in the pan using ingredients like curry paste, coconut milk, tomato paste, and spices.

Classic Beef Bolognese

A classic bolognese is such a comforting dish! Although it can take a while to simmer this dish to perfection, the process is fairly easy and cleanup is even easier. We recommend finding a one-pot bolognese recipe online rather than winging this one, although experienced cooks might be able to improvise just fine.

Robust Shakshuka

A cast-iron skillet or other oven-safe pan is the best choice for this one-pan meal. Shakshuka is versatile and delicious at any time of day. Start by frying vegetables in the pan, then adding whole canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings and simmer until reduced slightly. Make a few wells in the sauce for as many eggs as you like and crack an egg into each well, then top with cheese and transfer to a preheated oven until eggs are cooked to their desired doneness. Let cool slightly, then serve with naan, pita bread, or similar.

That’s it for our top one-pot dinners to cook at our Orange County beach house rentals! If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and seasonal updates for guests at our Orange County beach house rentals.

At our Newport Beach house rentals, we know your beach vacation is bound to generate plenty of laundry to keep up with during your stay, so we take special care to ensure your in-home washer and dryer are in excellent working order. But since even brand new laundry machines can deteriorate in quality with suboptimal usage, we wanted to provide some of the simplest and most effective tips to keep our washers and dryers in tip-top condition during your stay. Here are some of the biggest dos and don’ts for residential laundry machine care.

Don’t Overload

It can be tempting to let the laundry pile up until there are no clean towels left and swimsuits are hanging on every corner. But even when you’ve been procrastinating on the laundry, don’t stuff your washer or dryer as full as it can go. Smaller loads tend to get clothes and linens cleaner and dryer while also being easier on your appliances. A couple of small loads are usually better than one massive one.

Be Sparing With Detergent

More soap doesn’t always make things cleaner, and excess detergent can leave residue on clothes, linens, and the laundry machines themselves. Use only as much detergent as you need to get clothes clean. Read the instructions that come with your detergent to determine how much to use for the size of your laundry load.

Report Issues Promptly

We regularly clean and maintain the laundry machines in all our Newport Beach house rentals, but occasionally issues do arise. Please let us know of any issues you are having with your in-home washer and dryer so we can send out a maintenance professional ASAP, especially if there is a leak or potential fire hazard.

Clean Out the Lint Trap

For some, this may seem like a no-brainer, but cleaning your dryer’s lint trap after every load of laundry is essential to keeping it running optimally (and avoiding a fire hazard). Always use bare hands to do this, or sterile gloves if necessary, but DON’T use a dryer sheet. Rubbing a dryer sheet (even a used one) against the lint trap’s screen could leave residue that compromises the effectiveness of the trap and could even lead to a fire.

Try Using Dryer Balls

Speaking of dryer sheets, they’re not the only way to soften your fabrics and reduce static. Dryer balls are reusable, super easy, and work just as well. Plus there’s no chemical residue to worry about like with dryer sheets. This means dryer balls may be better for the health of our laundry machines over time, helping you avoid any maintenance issues during your stay.

That’s it for our laundry machine tips! If you’d like to see any future tips and recommendations from us in the future, make sure you bookmark our blog page for easy access to upcoming posts. Finally, if you don’t want to miss out on special promotions and seasonal updates for our vacation rentals in Newport Beach, CA, follow us on Instagram!

Many of our guests stay at our Newport Beach beachfront rentals during the height of pest season. While we take measures to keep our vacation rentals pest-free for guests with thorough cleanings between stays and seasonal pest treatments, guests’ behaviors during their stay can go a long way to making or breaking our pest prevention success. Here are a few of the best strategies you can employ to help us keep our Orange County beach house rentals pest-free during your stay and the stays of future guests.

Keep Counters and Floors Clean

Keeping your vacation rental clean is your first line of defense against pests. That’s because pests are typically looking for sources of food and water that will allow them to thrive. Depriving these pests of these sources by wiping down surfaces, vacuuming floors, and cleaning up spills promptly will mean pests don’t see your vacation rental as a nice cozy home of their own.

Put Food Away

If you’re keeping food or dirty dishes out on the counter instead of putting them away, you’re increasing the chances that a pest will find their way to a tempting food source, which could also give them the opportunity to settle in and start multiplying. Always putting away food promptly (or changing how and where you store certain items) can help prevent pest infestations.

Eliminate Sources of Moisture

Many pests thrive where humidity and standing water are present, and humidity abounds at our beachfront house rentals. In fact, some pests will specifically seek outstanding water or moist organic material as a place to lay their eggs. Cleaning and drying your sink, clearing your drain, taking out the trash, and using the fan in your bathroom can help reduce the moisture in your beachfront rental and give pests fewer places to thrive.

Get Rid of Clutter

Clutter-like cardboard boxes and papers can provide extra places for pests to hide, making it easier for pests to stick around once they’ve arrived. Getting rid of clutter not only makes your rental a less likely target for pests but also makes it easier for us to get rid of pests if they do show up in your rental.

Notify Staff of Cracks & Leaks

Cracks in windows and exterior-facing doors are the most common ways that pests get inside a home. Leaky faucets or sweating pipes can also introduce moisture that makes a home a more ideal environment for pests. Always be sure to promptly notify our staff of cracks and leaks in order to reduce the chances of pest problems and help keep our vacation rentals in perfect condition.

That’s it for our pest prevention tips! If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and seasonal updates for guests at our Orange County beach house rentals.

Our Newport Beach house rentals undergo routine maintenance and regular cleaning to help keep everything in perfect working condition for our guests. However, when it comes to plumbing, guest behaviors can build up over time to make a lasting impact, potentially compromising the experience of future guests as we work to address clogs, leaks, or water damage.

While these problems are rare and swiftly addressed, there are several steps you can take to help keep your vacation and the vacations of future guests as hassle-free as possible. Here are our top four tips to keep our pipes happy and avoid unexpected disruptions.

Prevent Hair From Going Down The Drain

Among the primary culprits of clogged pipes are clumps of hair that wash down the drain in showers and sinks. And at the beach, people tend to take showers a lot. You can help keep this from impacting our plumbing by collecting hair before it has the chance to wash down the drain. Or, if you prefer, you can easily find silicone drain covers for under $5 at local supermarkets in Newport Beach. That way you can enjoy your shower and not have to think about drains at all.

Don’t Put Large Food Items Through Your Disposal

Our maintenance team has had to remove all sorts of items from kitchen sink disposals because guests aren’t always aware of what should and shouldn’t be washed down the drain. Whether it’s lemons and limes, whole tomatoes, or the trimmings from your meat prep, there are some foods you shouldn’t be putting in your disposal! Avoid putting large chunks of food in your disposal, as well as raw meats, oils, fats, fibrous food items like artichokes, potato skins, and corn husks, and of course any non-food items. It’s the small food scraps that break down easily that our disposals are built to handle without needing repair or intensive cleaning.

Report Leaks, Clogs, and Water Damage Promptly

Rather than trying to fix something yourself, please get the help of our maintenance professionals by contacting us promptly when you encounter plumbing issues! The number to contact is listed in your guest packet.

Keep The Heat On In Cold Weather

Staying with us in the off-season? We rarely experience below-freezing weather, but just in case you’re here during a cold snap, there are a few things you should know to keep our pipes happy. When staying at our Newport Beach house rentals during cold weather, please keep the heat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Why? Because when cold weather hits, our pipes are at risk of freezing, which can cause them to burst. When pipes burst, this results in a need for emergency repairs to your plumbing and it can even cause extensive water damage that impacts your stay.

While you’re at it, opening cabinets and allowing faucets to drip when temperatures dip below freezing can help keep pipes warm and prevent them from bursting.

That’s it for our plumbing maintenance tips for our Newport Beach house rentals! If you’d like to see any future tips and recommendations from us in the future, make sure you bookmark our blog page for easy access to upcoming posts. Finally, if you don’t want to miss out on special promotions and seasonal updates for our vacation rentals in Newport Beach, CA, follow us on Instagram!