Newport Beach: Rolling out the welcome mat

Newport Beach is hoping to cash in on the wedded bliss of same-sex couple across the state, with the local conference and visitors' bureau advertising romantic seaside getaways for happy honeymooners, including stays for "starry-eyed newlyweds" at the Balboa Bay Club.

Tourism promoters are hoping couples of all kinds will be tempted by sunset cruises, spa treatments for two and special deals at local hotels, complete with celebratory champagne. The organization's press release also helpfully includes the hours and locations at which same-sex couples can obtain a marriage license in the O.C.

Weddings and nuptial-related events are one of the top tourist draws for the upscale beach community, said Audrey Leoncio, marketing and public relations manager for the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau. Orange County voters overwhelmingly supported the 2000 ballot initiative defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. But Newport's same-sex vacation packages aren't a political statement, Leoncio said.

"In general, weddings is just a huge business for us," said Leoncio. "All of it is welcome."

--Susannah Rosenblatt