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Balboa Island Ferry
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Balboa Island
Rating Details »
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17 reviews for Balboa Island
Recession? What recession? The word simply doesn't exist for Balboa Island residents. Nope, not when you can hire a private chef to BBQ a great meal off your balcony and make the tourists salivate, when you can't bother with curtains for your floor to ceiling double paned windows so that the whole world can marvel at all the cool things you have in your home, and when you have your own private dock that you sit and read from with a brightly colored rainbow umbrella.
Life is good for Balboa Island residents. We like to come to this private little getaway in Newport Beach that sits at the end of Jamboree Road off the 405. We park in the Rite Aid shopping center, walk across the bridge, and pretend we're one of the locals or dream of owning our own little 3-story house by the water front.
The shops are unique and creative. There's a cool shop right when you enter on your left called Peace Frogs. The owner custom creates all candles and of course, Martha's Bookstore - the quaint tea shop like bookstore. There are also plenty of cozy restaurants, a ferry that takes you across to the other side to explore a bit further, and overall an awesome place to just sort of get away. The shop owners are pretty friendly here. The residents not so much.
We had a great time checking out people's home, taking some cool shots, and just getting away from it all. Balboa Island is a great SoCal treasure.
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Living in this area, I can say that no one who actually lives here really goes to Balboa Island.
Me and my friends occasionally come to this area to eat, but that's about it. The people who ride the ferries and visit the island are usually tourists because they are not aware that there is actually little to NOTHING to do on Balboa Island.
So you get there and you take a couple pictures (of what I've always wondered), maybe you buy a Balboa Bar (an ice cream bar famous on the island. It's literally just vanilla ice cream with chocolate) and then you walk around. It's not like there are a lot of quaint shops or anything, if I remember correctly there's a Diane's, Starbucks, and a couple credit unions.
Boring. If you're into a small island ferry kind of feel, go to Shoreline Village in Long Beach.
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Wow, this place is really TINY. I went out here on a whim after exploring Fashion Island, wanting to see an actual part of the OC that didn't involve shopping. Thankfully one of those parts is Balboa Island. Yes, it is really small (as noted by the one bridge that gets you in and out of there by car), but there are boats, an interesting town, and other recreational activities. Nothing says summer in the OC like strolling around in a bike (or walking) around this island.
The only downside to coming here is that parking space is quite limited. Even if you try to find a spot, you would be crossing through very narrow streets and city blocks (which could be scary if you have claustrophobia). In fact, driving through here reminded of my time in Japan -- all the streets were pretty narrow and the houses are right next to each other with very little wiggle room. It's the same at Balboa Island.
So, if you could only do a short trip to the OC (like I did), check out Balboa Island and hope there's a parking space.
Balboa island is a quaint little town with a street of boutiques, cafes, and nice views. Home of the frozen banana - I was able to get one.... after seeing many diffferent places, I noticed that some offered multiple sizes from Small to Extra large.. ranging from $2.50 to $3.75.... the place I bought it from only had one size... it's a frozen banana dipped in chocolate with the option of the following toppings - peanuts, rainbow sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles. It was interesting beacuse it feels like you're eating ice cream, but a more healthier alternative.... kinda haha.
There was also cheesecake on a stick which sounded mind bogling.... but I'll have to hope I get to go back to try that another time!
One of my top 10 favorite places in the US....you can have a great stroll around the Island...check out all the rich people's diggs...eat a frozen banana dipped in chocolate...take the ferry over to the "real" beach... it is just a real gem in Southern California.
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We came here on a recommendation from a friend who suggested we walk around the whole island and do some house-watching. Getting there was pretty simple, take Jamboree all the way down and then follow the signs.
It was a Sunday late morning when we arrived, and parking could be such a bitch. Luckily we got some prime street parking on Park ave. and Marine. There were a lot of cute little speciality shops + restaurants. I was a bit sad because I didn't notice until we were on our way out that there was a "Life is Good" store!! I absolutely love their shirts!
We did the walk around the whole island. Tons of very expensive and beautiful homes. It's nice to drool over these homes that I could never ever afford. But then when I think about it, I don't think I would want to live there. I think it would get boring. I did notice that I was probably the only asian person there. Everyone was old, white and rich...it was interesting to see how the difference...I heard some bach or traichovsky playing from some home...I totally would have been rockin' some Madonna or 80s music! I was just surprised at how quiet it was...these homes seem like such a great party place, but no parties here.
I would definitely recommend to come here, grab some food and then take a nice walk around the island...enjoy the homes and architecture of some. Take a little seat on a bench which are plentiful on the island and just sit and enjoy the sun warming you up, a nice breeze keeping you cool and you'll notice the complete silence! It's pretty peaceful, so come to de-stress from your chaotic life because you deserve it!
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This place is gorgeous. I wish the homes were more in reach price wise.
Think outrageous cost of living if you lived here. But, the beaches are amazing and there are tons of cool shops and restaurants. The cafe's seem plentiful.
Very quaint. Very west coast. Reminds me of the fictional town in the show "Weeds".
They get minus one star because I cannot afford to live there:)
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What a cute little island town! My husband and I walked all around Balboa Island just taking in the sights & did a bit of shopping too. Lots of nice local shops. I'd say the majority of the shops allow dogs inside, which is really nice. My favorite part of the day, though, was just walking through the neighborhood and seeing all the gorgeous beach houses and their beautiful landscaping. I'd go back, if for nothing else, just to walk around and enjoy a nice day. Very relaxing place! Even on the weekend day when we went.
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*** a slice of east coast liv'n in sunny scal? ***
ok, i concede, this lil man-made island is charming.
it's got that east coastal "je ne sais quoi" for sure,
but it's just across a lil bridge from newport bch.
and it is completely self-sufficient from shops,
restaurants, fire dept to residential homes.
i go to balboa island once per week just to run ...
it's almost 3mi round, so 2 laps is a good workout.
if you have got the moola, it's a cool place to live too. ;)
the only downfall that i have been able to identify is that
the homes are extremely close together...no privacy at all.
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I love the architectures here. From modern sophistication to white picket fence cottages, each is decorated with class. Don't mind the tiny or no outlet streets. I wish I can stay another day just to take picture of the beautiful houses on this hidden gem. This island is packed with the locals and visitors, so I suggest that you park your car outside the island and walk in. They are dog friendly too. I can't wait to come back and visit.
Well, I don't know about natural vs man made but this it a small piece of dirt sandwiched between the coast and the peninsula in a high-priced area of southern California known as Newport Beach. We went because my wife had old memories of summers spent in Newport as a child. It's about an hour and a half north of San Diego in Orange County.
The island is accessible via a bridge from Newport or from a three-car ferry on the peninsula. The island is TINY. There are numerous TINY lots with overbuilt homes dating back to the 1930's and '40's. The majority are very well kept up (no surprise since they all cost about $4 million or more apiece). There are essentially no garages and very little street parking so be prepared. I went in the late fall which is the off season. Summer time must be insane. It's like someone took Coronado Island, shrunk it down to a quarter of it's size than packed 10 x more people on it.
The main drag has one quaint shop after another which made my wife and sister in law happy. SIL bought an overpriced "rubber chicken in a bikini" at a store that sold nothing but stuff for dogs. Heck you can even buy beer for your dog there. Then it was off to one of the two identical competing stores that sell "balboa bars"-hand-dipped ice cream like you can get every year at the Del Mar fair (or probably any other fair for that matter). Good but not worth the drive in itself.
The island is very tolerant of dogs-as long as they are on a leash, the leash is no longer than 6 ft. and they don't poop on the beach. There are "no bicycle" signs all over the place. So dogs-yes, bicycles-no.
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Everyone wishes Grandma and Grandpa lived on Balboa Island. Summers on the Island are small town quaint with Riviera weather. You can't find this atmosphere anywhere else in Southern CA.
The holiday festivals are fantastic starting with the Christmas Boat Parade. Bundle up and arrive early so you can enjoy a walking tour of the fantastic holiday decorations. (Traffic and parking can be a mess. I'd advise entering from Corona del Mar and driving down Bayside Dr. Park on Bayside and walk over the bridge. Jamboree and PCH will have no turn lanes and it's a disaster.)
http://www.christmasbo.../
Halloween is my second favorite holiday on the Island. Residents go all out turning the streets into a trick-or-treat paradise full of animated haunted displays. Every year I stop at Starbucks and spend a few hours walking the boardwalk (really cement) and taking in that year's most creative costumes. You wont be able to park on the Island so be prepared to drop the family on Bayside and walk up to a mile back to the bridge.
Residents line the two blocks of Marine Ave in June for the Balboa Island Parade. An excellent parade that some how they miraculously fit onto this tiny island. Most years a USC alum pays for some of the Trojan band to march - full uniform for 2 blocks. They might be followed by the golden retriever brigade which a few years ago had to have been over 100 goldens. Tons of fun. Different every year. Stop in at Pain du Monde for a pastry and coffee and sit down and enjoy.
Everyday activities on the island include shopping and dining. A cement 'boardwalk' surrounds both the big island and little island and makes a great trail for walking or jogging. The Balboa Island Ferry transports pedestrians and autos across Newport Harbor to the Balboa Fun Zone on the peninsula. The Sea Lion's are great fun to watch from the ferry even though they are quite bothersome to local boat owners.
Enjoy the Island. It's one of a kind.
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They said, this is California's answer to Cape Cod.
HMF!!! said I. Um, 'scuse me?! said I. There can be only ONE Cape Cod! said I.
After visiting, I begrudgingly concede. Despite the fact that this is a man made island, it has tons of charm, beauteous views of the harbor, gorgeous little bayfront homes with private docs, and a quaint Main Street, all of which, yes, carries a certain reminiscence of the Cape, namely, Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket Island flavor.
Enviacs like us will have a gay old time walking around the habor peeking into windows of the 7 million dollar cottages lining the Grand Canal. Additionally, scenic sunsets makes for romance. I can't believe people live year round amid such beauty, and don't go nuts of happiness.
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Sometimes you just feel like an outing, and this week we did so we decided to venture over to balboa island which we thought would be a day trip, but really this main street is so small, you really can't spend more than about an hour or so here. Don't get me wrong. It is really really cute--very old, antique looking and all of the shops have decorative fronts you feel like you were transported from the beach town of newport beach to a little collectible town.
But most of these stores are just knick knack stores which you usually walk into because you think it looks promising and then quickly turn around because you didn't find anything after all or everything was way overpriced for something that you know will just sit on a desk and collect dust. We did manage to find my dad a hawaiian shirt that said newport on it and there were some nice art pieces here and there, but the longest line was at the frozen banana stand in the middle of this main street, so i guess that is the popular spot.
The other highlight is the post office on balboa island because it is old and original like it was years ago, everything wooden and with brass plating. Just takes you back.
All in all a good place to go for an hour or so, there is a taffy store too that you definitely hit up here, that has just about every flavor of taffy you could want, but don't come here like we did and think it is a day trip!
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I loovvee Balboa island. it's so cute! It's a little man-made island, but it's still really charming. There are gorgeous homes with their own private docs (i'm so jealous). It's a great little place to go if you just want to walk around and relax. Not much shopping, but i still enjoy it.
At sunset its really nice. Great picture opportunities.
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I've noticed that "Barry H." likes to do quite a few comparisons to his home town San Diego - and in doing so lets his bias slant his reviews. Take his with a grain of salt. Anyway, to make your visit to Balboa more enjoyable I do not recommend driving to it. Park on the peninsula side and take the Balboa Island Ferry across to the Island. This will help set the pace... SLOW. It's a great place to just walk around and enjoy the beautiful homes and views. It's very small and dense with, according to wiki, a population density of 17,621 person per square mile and is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. There is a street lined with small boutiques, very touristy swag shops, cafes, and restaurants. And, of course, there are the quintessential frozen banana and Balboa Bar venders. Balboa is much more mature and laid-back than the neighboring Newport Beach so don't expect many places to "party". Stop by the Balboa Candy shop and pick up some retro candy or one of the 50+ flavors of salt water taffy available. Also be careful on the island if you're on a bike; the streets are very narrow and not bike friendly.
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Cute town, kind of like a mini catalina. I've been here a few times already and I love browsing the small stores and shops. Worth a visit and plenty of beautiful beaches in the area!
