My family rented a beach house on the Balboa Peninsula in the Newport Beach area of Orange County every summer when I was growing up and those family vacation memories stand out as vivid highlights of my childhood. We had the beach, a boardwalk and a soccer field right at our doorstep for nonstop fun and games like boogie boarding, biking, roller-skating and smash ball. We’d hit the Balboa Pier daily to fish, grab a snack at Ruby’s or watch the sunset. Every night we walked over to the Fun Zone to play arcade games, ride the Ferris Wheel and devour Balboa Bars. Whenever there was a big swell, we’d walk to The Wedge to watch the body surfers. We always had to take the ferry to Balboa Island at least once, too.
I could go on and on recounting all of the good times and adventures we got into back then. But I have new, current memories and travel intelligence to share because we went back as a family this summer and I’m pleased to report the blissful vibe of Balboa lives on! In this case, you can go “home” again.
Not much has changed about Balboa over the years and that’s a good thing. Some shops and restaurants have turned over (no more Orange Julius, sadly!) and the Fun Zone has evolved with some more contemporary attractions now in the mix, but the rest feels delightfully familiar. Thanks to the classic elements that remain unchanged and its physical location that sets it apart from newer commercial and residential developments, Balboa still feels like a chilled-out, old school OC beach town bubble.
We chose to STAY on Balboa Island for a few reasons. We were a bit late to the game when we started looking at vacation rentals for the dates we planned to visit so there wasn't much inventory available on the peninsula that met our family's size and space needs. A lot of people book the same houses every year just as we did back then so they go fast and advanced planning is essential. We lucked out because Newport Beach Vacation Properties had just signed a new property on Balboa Island that hadn’t been publicly listed yet and was the ideal size for our family. Plus, it was right on the water with incredible bay views and we thought the mellower vibe of the island would be more relaxing for all and ideal for my young niece and nephew who could enjoy their very own beach without intimidating waves. Balboa Island and this particular house felt like an appropriate “grown up” upgrade to our old set-up and we relished every moment of our week in residence.
When it comes to where to PLAY in Balboa, it’s all about the water given Newport Beach is home to the largest recreational harbor on the West Coast. You can kayak, paddleboard and rent boats—a cruise in one of the electric Duffy boats is a must. If you stay on the island or just visit for the day, the Balboa Island Ferry is a fast, cheap and easy way to get between the island and peninsula whether on foot, bike or driving a car. The ferry drops you right in the Fun Zone, just a couple of blocks from the beach and pier. The Fun Zone is kid heaven with its arcades, souvenir shops and plethora of sweet treats, and all ages can enjoy a ride on the scenic Ferris Wheel. Harbor cruises and the Catalina Flyer also depart from the Fun Zone. On the Pacific side of the peninsula, a broad sandy beach stretches for three miles and, as long as the waves aren’t massive, the water is very inviting for summer swims.
EAT at The Crab Cooker, a Newport Beach institution for hearty seafood feasts. If you’re grilling at home later, pick up superbly fresh catch from their fish market or the fish market at Bear Flag Fish Company. Bear Flag is a newer casual dining option on the scene with indoor and outdoor seating and their fish tacos are delicious. Breakfast at Ruby’s Diner on the end of Balboa Pier is a nostalgia-filled eggs and pancakes affair. Buy Balboa Bars from Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop, where locals and vacationers alike patiently queue up for the local specialty dessert—ice cream bars dipped in chocolate and covered with the topping of your choice (I’m partial to the toasted almonds). The frozen banana dessert is another Balboa culinary creation claim to fame, which is also on the menu at Dad’s.
If you needa break from the sun and outdoor fun, SHOP at the new Lido Marina Village complex that is home to independent designers and lifestyle boutiques like Alchemy Works, Clare V and Jenni Kayne. Balboa Island’s main street, Marine Avenue, is lined with beach-y boutiques and cute and quirky souvenir shops. If you’re looking for serious retail therapy, Fashion Island is just minutes away on the mainland and South Coast Plaza is in nearby Costa Mesa. If you prefer to keep your shopping alfresco while on vacation, the new South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa is a very pleasant place to wander around with more independent-leaning design and apparel offerings and food purveyors.
The OC is a health and fitness centric place so naturally there are many WELLNESS options to keep you feeling fit and revived.SoulCycle and YogaWorks have studios two miles away from Balboa Island (YogaWorks offers an unlimited weekly class pass for $50 that’s good value for visitors if you take at least two classes). If pampering is what you seek, you can easily spend an entire day at the top-rated The Spa at Pelican Hill. The Amber Gold Signature Massage is ahhhh…so good!
