Balboa Island may be part of the famous Orange County, California, but the island draws tourists and locals with an identity and community unlike any other in the county. The island, located in Newport Harbor, is actually composed of three artificial islands: Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island and Collins Island. The island is home to a tight-knit community but welcomes tourists with its homey feel and a bevy of activities and shopping and dining options.
Balboa Island is accessible by car via the Balboa Island Bridge, and is an easy, 50-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport. For tourists looking for a more scenic route, the Balboa Island Ferry is also available. Leaving from Newport Beach, the ferry operates daily and can carry cars and bicycles.
Balboa Island Ferry
410 S Bayfront
Newport Beach, CA 92662
balboaislandferry.com
Tourists have plenty of options when deciding where to stay on Balboa Island, including the historic Balboa Inn. With its ideal location on the sands of Newport Beach, the Balboa Inn is walking distance from restaurants, water sport rentals and shops, and it boasts 11 oceanview suites. For tourists wanting to stay in the lap of luxury, there's The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, a Mediterranean-style waterfront resort that features panoramic views of the Newport Bay.
Tourists can also opt to rent properties through one of the numerous real estate companies on the island. Balboa Island's homes range from quaint cottages to waterside mansions.
Balboa Inn
105 Main Street
Balboa, CA 92661
balboainn.com
The Balboa Bay Club & Resort
1221 W. Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92663
balboabayclub.com
Once the accommodations are settled, Balboa Island guests can hit the beach for a good time. The Travel Channel and the Surfrider Foundation named Balboa Island's beach as one of the top 10 beaches in the country. Swimmers are well secluded from surfers and other water sport activities but still have a prime view of the harbor. For nighttime campfires and barbecues, fire rings are available on the beach, along with beach volleyball courts and tennis courts. Beach-goers looking to go out on the water can check out sailboat, motorboat, pedal boat, jet ski, canoe or kayak rentals.
Balboa Island also offers plenty of opportunities for fun on land. Bicycle and roller blade rentals give tourists a relaxing way to scout the scenic island. While touring the island, they can stop by the Back Bay Ecological Reserve, which offers up-close views of wildlife and migrating birds. The Balboa Fun Zone also ensures hours of entertainment with a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, laser tag and arcades.
Back Bay Science Center
600 Shellmaker Rd.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
backbaysciencecenter.org
Balboa Fun Zone
600 East Bay Ave.
Balboa, CA 92661
thebalboafunzone.com
