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    Balboa Fun Zone

    3.7 (140 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Balboa Fun Zone Photos

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    DeLayne B.

    It was a beautiful day, and we had friends and family visiting from Australia with their kids so we decided a perfect outing to the Balboa Fun Zone was in order! I think any child who has not been here or adult lol, is missing out. I was glad to find that this place is still as fun and active as ever. From the unique shops to the fun filled arcade and great food, and then the rides, it's fun for everyone! After enjoying the mermaid shop, and the bicycle shop and the candy shop, we spent some time in the super fun arcade, skee ball is my favorite! Then some people opted for the Ferris wheel before we took off on our Duffy ride journey of the Newport Harbor. What a fantastic day, and I highly recommend it especially if you have kids along or maybe not because there's a lot of adult fun to be had to!

    caricature
    Nikki T.

    if you're ever walking around the balboa funzone, there's a man who draws caricatures for such an affordable price!! we paid $30 for a full body, activity, colored in drawing!! in recent years it's been ~$50+ to get these caricatures at amusement parks/fairs so i found this an amazing score!! we had our activity done as pickleball & he had creative freedom with that, but you can ask for almost anything!!!! it was done in less than 15 minutes and turned out amazing!

    Lynda B.

    Take a stroll back into nostalgia while visiting Balboa Fun Zone with a carnival rides, plenty of games in the arcade and be sure to pop in to one of the many shops or restaurants along the boardwalk. Balboa Fun Zone allowed our lil FamBam just that FUN during our visit!! We rode the Happy Swing, watched our granddaughter jump, jump on the stationary bungee jumper plus we rode the world's longest Ferris wheel with spectacular views. This is a MUST if you are in the area as your family, kids and even if you are a kid at heart will have FUN enjoying the rides and enjoying the arcade andd you can take a stroll along the boardwalk.

    Mher M.

    Came here to enjoy a short visit with old friends and do something fun with their kid. There's something for the whole family to enjoy. We all had fun riding the Ferris Wheel and Happy Swing. I realized after the Ferris Wheel ride that we (their 7 yo kid and I) didn't buckle up --- oops! Skinny/little kids can easily slide out of those seats, so make sure you pay attention and not just rely on the attendants. We took a stroll at the Pier while the kid and dad were at the arcade. Then hang out a little bit by the beach/bay area before heading out.

    Ferris wheel
    Janae P.

    This is a nice place to bring the kids. They have a few rides out there and it's surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. You can grab some sweet treats too.

    Fun zone
    Madeleine L.

    Worth a visit but don't expect much. Fair type food and the souvenir shops all have the same stuff. Some rides, but beware that it is not cheap.

    Jason V.

    This is an alright place to hang out for an hour. Seems like the focus is less on "Fun Zone" and more on tourist type shops with overpriced food and merchandise. The local carnival style rides are pricy for the what they are but still fun for the little kids, however the arcade is run down and disappointing. The nostalgia and the Ferris Wheel seems to be what is keeping this location as popular as it is. If you are looking for a unique beach/ocean side walk, you might be better served going to the HB pier Main Street for better food/shops and more lively entertainment.

    13th Birthday Party Photos

    Albert, the owner of The Fun Zone did an amazing job for my daughter Anna's 13th Birthday. All 13 girls had so much fun- beautiful setting and so happy he refurbished this iconic landmark. I highly recommend having your kids birthday here. Great pizza, ice cream, and good fun. Just got new cool looking Fun Zone T-Shirts too.

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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

    I like this place. When we have visitors we always take them there. It's nice place yo walk around & to ride a ferry to the other side

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    13 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Ferris wheel is pretty small. Arcade is a bit run down, but the spirit is still here. The ice cream place here is just ok.

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    16 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    14 years ago

    Loved the Harbor boat tour! Very relaxing and the tour guide was great! A must do if you're visiting!!

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    11 years ago

    Had fun on the rides, but overpriced. Place is nice and clean. Fun to kill some time and the go spend a day at the beach

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

    It's a fun place to be, while passing time on the island. They could have better ticket games though...

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    14 years ago

    The Sea Lion tour is fun for kids.

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    15 years ago

    nice way to view the island. friendly crew. price was right. must do! Very informative.

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    9 years ago

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    13 years ago

    The guy that runs the ferris wheel is a jerk Date 08 05 13

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    11 years ago

    If you are visiting or just looking for something fun and different to do, come here. Fun for kids and adults!

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    Page 4 of 4

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    Ask the Community - Balboa Fun Zone

    I heard the arcade was shut down for a reconstruction in 2023 did that affect the Ferris wheel? Is it still open 2025 December?

    Is Skee Ball still available?

    Yes

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    Review Highlights - Balboa Fun Zone

    Rides include the "Happy Swing," "Ocean Motion" (an anchored trampoline ride), and the classic ferris wheel ride.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Adventure City

    Adventure City

    4.5
    (925 reviews)
    15.6 mi

    It was a great experience. For kids of a certain age, it's perfect and very well thought-out. My…read morekids LOVED the experience and never got bored or disappointed. The staff was friendly and we had a great time. Little touches like the Fog Factory and the round-the-park train really made the experience better. It generally has the same energy and mood as Disneyland, just much smaller and easier to navigate. The closer your kids get to 10, the more uncertain I am that it would be the best choice, but for toddlers it's heaven and for a decent price. The only downside is that the rides were sometimes understaffed, especially toward closing when we were no longer able to make the most of the park because several rides were abandoned 30-50 minutes before closing. Food is also and . Water is ***$4.50 a bottle*** But it was great and we would come back.

    Recently brought my goddaughter/ niece and SIL to Adventure City and we had so much fun. This place…read moreis truly toddler friendly and the staff all were friendly. The rides are definitely fit for my precious girl. She did not want to leave. The only negative I would say is that the arcade is waaay too loud. I recommend lowering the sounds of the machines if possible because even I found myself irritated inside but overall we had a great time. We'd come back again.

    Photos
    It's you to the rescue!
    It's you to the rescue!
    Hop aboard the Adventure City Express Train.
    Hop aboard the Adventure City Express Train.
    Dips and drops on the Freeway Coaster.

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    Dips and drops on the Freeway Coaster.
    Boomers Irvine

    Boomers Irvine

    3.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    6.1 mi

    I grew up coming to Boomers with my dad and my sister. After my dad recently passed away, bringing…read moremy own kids here for the very first time was a deeply special trip for our family--and the experience couldn't have been better. A huge shoutout to Deon, who provided the best customer service we've experienced anywhere in a long time. Our kids had an absolute blast, and Deon was fantastic with them. He was super helpful, patient, and attentive while getting them set up and safely having fun on the go-karts and bumper boats. Stepping back onto the track brought back so many cherished childhood memories of my dad, and Deon helped ensure my kids walked away with those exact same happy memories today. Thank you, Deon, for making a meaningful day so incredible for our family. We will definitely be back!

    I used to come here 20+ years ago when it was Palace Park, and I swear the mini golf course hasn't…read morechanged since then...except it's aged about as well as a forgotten carpet. The turf is ripped, full of holes, and in rough shape on pretty much every hole. We honestly considered turning around and asking for a refund, but our kids were so excited to play that we stuck it out rather than crush their little mini-golf dreams. The staff was genuinely friendly, so no complaints there--they were the best part of the experience. I can't speak for the other attractions, but if you're coming for mini golf, I'd recommend spending the extra few bucks and heading to Holy Moly at the Spectrum instead. At least there, the biggest obstacle is the course--not whether the carpet will survive another round.

    Photos
    Boomers Irvine
    Boomers Irvine
    Boomers Irvine

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    Once Upon An Island

    Once Upon An Island

    4.5
    (222 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    My daughter had the most magical mermaid experience! We took her here for her 6th birthday and she…read morehad the absolute best time! Everything was wonderful - they really go above and beyond to make sure your little one has a great experience! Her mermaid was Coral and she was a delight. She made my daughter feel so special. The experience and add-ons can be pricey but it was definitely worth it for how much effort they put into it and how great of a time my daughter had. The only thing I would say is that no one did tell us that we needed needle nose pliers to remove the metal clips on the hair braids when she was ready to take them out, and that information would have been nice to have! We found that info with a Google search so it doesn't change the fact that we had an amazing time, but keep in mind that you will need to have pliers to pinch open the hair bands to get them out once you want to remove them. I recommend parking on the mainland and taking the ferry over for an even more magical experience. Overall, we had a great time and I absolutely recommend Once Upon An Island for your special little mermaid!

    Such a sweet experience! So magical and the mermaids are so well in character the whole time! My…read morelittle one is already asking when we can go back... We went two days for summer camp and both days were a blast! The second day the parents weren't allowed to go back to help them change which was a little weird but I'm assuming because it would've been too many people all at once because that day there were more kiddos. Very sweet and my little one said it was better than Bibbidi bobbidi boutique!

    Photos
    Once Upon An Island
    Once Upon An Island
    Once Upon An Island

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    K1 Speed Irvine

    K1 Speed Irvine

    3.2
    (747 reviews)
    7.0 mi

    Great place for teens who enjoy a little adrenaline and adventure go carting! We've brought our…read moreteens here for birthday gatherings and it's always a blast! Parking is spacious. The venue is roomy, clean and safe. There's a bar/ restaurant area you can order food and plenty of space with couches to watch racers. Staff is friendly and service is great! The teens opted for 3 races at $70/racer. They also had a package where you can get a K1 tshirt & 2 races at $70/racer. Great team building event space for employers & adults too! Definitely coming back!

    We took three 12 year old boys here and they had an absolute blast. We went on a Saturday afternoon…read moreand we didn't have to wait much at all. When you walk in, it's a little confusing at first since it's not super clear where to go and the place is pretty spacious. We initially went to the cashier, and they directed us to the computers on the side to sign the waivers first, then come back to pay. After we paid, they told us the wait would be about 30 minutes, but surprisingly they called our names within just 2 to 3 minutes while we were still walking around. That was a nice bonus. :) They provided headsocks for free, and we didn't have to pay extra or sign up for any annual membership. Each race is supposed to be 12 laps, but if someone finishes early, you might end up doing less. One of the boys completed 11 laps, but didn't affect the experience at all. As we were exiting, we saw a podium area so kids hopped on for a quick photo. I've been here before for birthday parties and even with coworkers, and every time has been consistently fun. The staff was friendly and everything ran smoothly. Not really sure why this place gets some negative reviews. I haven't experienced anything negative. Would definitely come back.

    Photos
    100% electric go karts speed by the Paddock Lounge inside K1 Speed Irvine
    100% electric go karts speed by the Paddock Lounge inside K1 Speed Irvine
    There are two indoor go kart tracks at K1 Speed Irvine
    There are two indoor go kart tracks at K1 Speed Irvine
    Our go karts are all-electric and capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 mph

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    Our go karts are all-electric and capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 mph
    Six Flags Magic Mountain

    Six Flags Magic Mountain

    2.9
    (4.4k reviews)
    69.4 mi

    Super fun but ! one of the workers at the batman ride a old guy w shoulder length hair working on…read morethe batman guy was a little rude and honestly i feel like he was kinda racist he accused us of tryna ride the ride twice and even though we told him multiple times it was our first time riding the ride plus we were just minors plus a little kid he still was trying to kick us out he was taking the other guys side and saying he believed them more and would rather take theyre words than ours i just found that weird or he couldve phrased it differently taking another white persons side being white himself while im hispanic? Another worker helped us and moved us to open seats so it was all fine in the end but it was definitely still an upsetting experience !

    Single-handedly the reason why I'm giving this part four stars is because of Bob. Bob at the ADA…read morecounter was so helpful. I had been turned around several times and Bob really met me and my family with empathy and sympathy and a lot of care. He was genuinely helpful and was able to provide me with the services that I needed and explain them thoroughly. The park itself is pretty fun. There's a lot of great roller coasters and it's pretty accessible to even my eight-year-old, which made for a good time. Although this is of no fault of Six Flags, it is very very hot in this area of Southern California so I really recommend to stay hydrated and bring a portable fan or air-conditioning with you if that's available to you. I will likely be coming back in the winter.

    Photos
    Strawberry shortcake shake
    Strawberry shortcake shake
    Loaded tots. I think they would have been $16.99 (had the dining pass and could get food or snack every 90 minutes $44.99 + tax for the pass
    Loaded tots. I think they would have been $16.99 (had the dining pass and could get food or snack every 90 minutes $44.99 + tax for the pass
    Full Throttle

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    Full Throttle
    Great Wolf Lodge

    Great Wolf Lodge

    3.4
    (3.4k reviews)
    12.2 mi

    Visited Great Wolf Lodge for the first time and purchased a day pass for around $40 per adult on a…read moreFriday. Parking is $35 for the day, or $10 for the first two hours plus $5 for each additional hour. I appreciated that the parking structure is covered. One thing that surprised me was how warm and humid the indoor water park felt. The temperature is kept at 84 degrees, which makes sense for swimming but it was a little muggy and took some getting used to. There are several different play areas that help spread out the crowds. We spent most of our time in the toddler/young kids' section, which was perfect for little ones. The kids also had a great time in the outdoor play area. We rented a cabana for the day and thought it was well worth it, especially for larger groups since open seating can be difficult to find. Our cabana included bottled water in a mini fridge, a small locker, two lounge chairs, a dining table, a couch, towels, and thin curtains that could be closed for a little extra privacy (although they are somewhat see-through). Overall, we had a great experience. It's a fun destination for families year-round since the indoor water park stays warm regardless of the weather. We also played a round of mini golf outside, and the ropes course looked like a lot of fun for older kids and adults. We'd definitely come back.

    LONG REVIEW AHEAD!…read more We took our daughter to Great Wolf Lodge for her 4th birthday, and it ended up being the perfect little getaway. We stayed one night, arriving Saturday morning and leaving Sunday around noon, and honestly, that was just the right amount of time. A quick tip before you book. I called instead of booking online so I could make sure every available discount was applied. If you're an educator (like me), military (active, retired, or veteran), first responder, nurse, medical provider, government employee, or fall under the Howling Heroes program, there's a discount. The savings were significant. Also, add the Wolf Pass when you book. It's cheaper than waiting until check-in, and we definitely got our money's worth. Now, check-in... whew. It felt like we were checking bags at the airport. Be prepared for a line. The water park opens at 10:00 a.m., but rooms officially aren't ready until 4:00 p.m. You can utilize the park while you wait for your room! We checked in around noon and got lucky. Our room was ready around 1:30, which was a pleasant surprise. I skipped the birthday package because, for us, it wasn't worth the cost. Instead, I ordered decorations from Amazon and decorated our room and the front door while my husband kept our daughter busy at the water park. Seeing her face when she walked in made it 100% worth it. The best way I can describe Great Wolf Lodge is this: it's like a mini Vegas for kids. There is always something happening. Download the app before you go because it makes planning your day much easier. Some activities were better than others. We weren't impressed with Meet the Pack or Story Time. It honestly gave low-budget Chuck E. Cheese character energy. We went once and that was enough. The water park, though? That's where the fun is. Our daughter spent most of her time in the kiddie area, where she could safely explore with us close by. The wave pool was another favorite. Every time you heard the howl, everyone knew the waves were about to start, and the excitement never got old. We also spent time at the outdoor pool, which was just as enjoyable. The Wolf Pass kept us busy. We played mini golf and bowling together, and we made sure to check off just about everything included. One thing to know about the Build-A-Bear experience. The pass covers only the bear. If your child wants clothes, accessories, or even the little carrying box, those are extra. The box alone was $2. We packed our own drinks and snacks, which saved us a little money. For dinner, we ordered the large Honey Pepperoni pizza, and it was actually really good. Before heading home Sunday morning, we grabbed Dunkin' Donuts downstairs, which made for an easy breakfast before the drive back. Overall, this was such a fun birthday trip. Our daughter had an absolute blast, and so did we. We'll definitely be back. One overnight stay was enough to do a lot without feeling rushed, and we left with a very happy four-year-old, which is all that really mattered.

    Photos
    Great Wolf Lodge
    Great Wolf Lodge
    Great Wolf Lodge

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    Balboa Fun Zone - amusementparks - Updated August 2026

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