A Very Special Street

One of the highlights of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa is 17th St., a cross street between Newport Blvd. and Dover Drive, that offers an exceptional variety of shopping and services. One block west of Newport Blvd. is Trader Joe’s, loved by all for its fresh, healthy, well-priced food and other special items…and its friendly, helpful, energetic staff. (I also really like the Trader Joe’s in the Crystal Cove Promenade shopping center, where seafood lovers also will find a Bear Flag Fish Co. store and café.)

Just on the other side of Newport Blvd. is Santa Monica Seafood Market & Café. In addition to an excellent selection of the highest quality fish, the café (serving wine & beer) and its oyster bar has become very popular.

Nearby, somewhat hidden off Newport Blvd., is an excellent Xpress Urgent Care facility where (no appointments needed) Dr. Noman professionally handles emergency medical needs. It’s very reassuring to know that, when necessary to diagnose or treat a medical problem, I can dash up to Xpress Urgent Care and see Dr. Noman. Across 17th St., adjacent to Orange St., Rite Aid pharmacy’s James Nguyen will provide outstanding professional assistance.

Just a few doors away in the same strip center on 17th St., Sprouts Farmers Market sells high quality meats and organic produce, tasty sandwiches & deli, and other quality food, at very fair prices. And the selection of breads they bake in-house is wonderful! Staples also is in the same strip center.

Continuing on 17th St. to Santa Ana St., tucked into the strip mall on your left is Celestinos with an exceptionally good selection of meats and some of the nicest people in the world behind the counter. A few doors away is “Where’s the Party?” which offers a great selection of products needs from printed stationary to decorations for all kinds of events.

On the same side of 17th St., you can’t miss the big Ralphs that is only a few blocks from a much smaller Ralphs in the shopping center on Irvine St. which includes another of my local favorites, Crown Ace Hardware. Crown Hardware actually began as a "mom and pop" hardware store in Corona del Mar, California, in 1949. Ace Hardware's mission is to have "the most helpful hardware stores on the planet!" and to provide every customer with the very best customer experience. And they absolutely do just that! The helpful people who work there always solve my problems.