Ruffles and BowsRachel’s, 216 Marine Ave., 949...

Ruffles and Bows

Rachel’s, 216 Marine Ave., 949 673-9150

Balboa Island may have some of the most expensive real estate in Orange County, but with Rachel’s it now also has an affordable place to shop. “I go to Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza, and I’m so tired of paying over $100 for a dress!” says A.K. “Rachel” Koyoumjian, who opened her store about a month ago. At Rachel’s you can get a sultry red-and-white-checked summer dress with a cinched waist and plunging V neckline--”So Grace Kelly,” she purrs--for $45. Other steals include Capri-style jeans with engineer stripes for $19.99, a ruffled Rampage miniskirt for $11.99 and a giant purse with red, white and black vinyl stripes for $29.99. Pick an outfit and Koyoumjian, who is all bubble and zest, will pull out the perfect pair of shoes. “Try these, sweetie,” she’ll say, handing over, for example, $25 black flats with red seams. You might end up spending a few bucks, but you’ll walk out with a whole new wardrobe.

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A DOWN-HOME ISLAND PARADISE

Newport Beach has seven gorgeous beaches and a collection of pricey man-made islands, including Balboa and Lido. Balboa can be accessed by a three-minute, 60-cent ferry ride ($1.50 for a car) that departs from the Balboa Fun Zone. The short trip is popular with locals for its old-fashioned flavor.

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ART & ARCHITECTURE

Pier Records is packed with black-and-white celebrity paintings by 62-year-old Paul Bryan Jr. Using red dots for his signature, Bryan renders his paintings from projections of famous photographs and works in latex acrylic (regular house paint). He says he’s created more than 15,000 paintings in the last 37 years. His itinerant life is detailed in a must-see brochure at the store. 2301 W. Balboa Blvd., (949) 675-3271,www.paulbryanjr.com.

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ONE THING TO DO

Waterfront Star-Gazing

Taking a 45-minute, $12 Newport Bay tour with the Fun Zone Boat Co. is similar to taking a star tour through Beverly Hills, only better. For starters, even though you’re sitting in a harbor cruiser that resembles a cartoonish Mississippi riverboat, it’s classier than a Hollywood tour bus. And since the waterside homes--owned by the likes of Nicolas Cage and O.C. magnate Donald Bren--aren’t hidden behind huge fences or giant hedges, you can behold them, and the snazzy yachts docked out front, in all of their excessive glory. 600 Edge-water Place, (949) 673-0240.

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MY FIND

At the Crab Cooker there’s no messing with a bib and crackers to enjoy the buttery-sweet flavor of fresh lobster. The local institution takes the meat out of its shell and charcoal grills it on a skewer. Dinner, including potato or rice and cole-slaw or fresh tomatoes, is $28.95. 2200 Newport Blvd., (949) 673-0100.