What a cute and quaint little island! I really loved visiting. There's plenty of free parking if you drive down the residential streets, and you can see plenty of cute little homes. This would be a lovely place to own a vacation home. I absolutely love driving over the bridge with American flags flying on both sides; it's something you don't see often in SoCal. There are several cute shops on both sides of the main street, and there's really something for everyone. The island is known for two things: chocolate-covered frozen bananas and Balboa bars. I apparently missed the memo on the Balboa bars, but we got to visit both Dad's Donuts and Sugar 'n Spice for some frozen chocolate bananas, and they were lovely! I recommend coming in the morning to beat the rush. We brought lunch and went to the beach for a picnic on the park benches. It was a lovely day with family! I look forward to coming back to Balboa Island in the future! read more

Balboa Island - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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We went on a cloudy weekday in late March. We parked in the parking lot on Palm street and took the ferry there. At around 10:30 in the morning, there was plenty of parking available. We paid about $11 for 4 hours which comparing with Santa Monica is reasonable. On our way we also saw free street side parking , but those spots are not close to the ferries. There is a 5 minute walk from the parking lot to where the ferries are. You will have to cross a couple of streets. The ferries are pretty basic but they have capacity for 3 cars as well. Adults pay $2 each to get to the other side. They ONLY accept cash. There and back, the wait time was under a couple of minutes. The island itself is clean and serene. Other than a minimart, a fishing gear shop and a grocery store, there weren't any shops on the oceanfront walkway and no signage as to where you can find any stores. We walked for a bit and then returned to the mainland and Balboa village. Overall, we loved how clean and family friendly the beach and the pier and the island were. If we lived closer, we would visit more often for sure! read more

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We love going to Balboa! My teenagers can go off on their own, shop, get a slice of pizza and hang out and my younger kids can ride the rides, run around, get a Balboa bar and play games. It's fun to walk around and shop at the small local places or take a Duffy out and cruise the waters. You can hop on the ferry with your bike, just yourself or your vehicle and take it across between the island and the Peninsula. The best family place! Restaurants are amazing and everyone is always friendly! read more

Balboa Island - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Loved this cute little town! It was all decked out for the American holidays! Flags Everywhere- so cute! Almost like an east coast town on the west coast. So many shops & restaurants- many more places to stop-in than expected. Be prepared for lots of great walking. What a lovely place to visit! read more

I got my swim trunks and my flippie-floppies I'm flipping burgers, you at Kinko's, straight flipping copies... Nice day trip to get away from the heat. Get your steps in by the bay, small park for the kids to play, or enjoy some frozen bananas on Marine Ave. I can imagine for parades it gets quite crowded. Parking can get tight but be patient, people are always coming and going. You can ferry over from the Newport Beach Balboa Pier or take Marine Ave in from the North side. Balboa Island Park was nice, small but they had a basket of toys that kids can use when they arrive. Very nice to have a community toy box like that. There is a basketball court and small playground. Bathrooms located by the ferry or near Marine Ave. Nice little shops and places to eat. You can sit along Marine Ave or by the walkway along the water. It's nice to walk and enjoy the ocean breeze. The Christmas Boat Parade we have not taken part in but look forward to seeing it soon. So grab your comfy sneakers or sandals and walk the man made island called Balboa. God bless read more

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Living and growing up in and on the island, I am biased on the absolute joy of the place. The people on the island love to walk around and chat with others. It is like going on vacation right in your own backyard. The place is beautiful. American flags everywhere. The feeling of pride and patriotism is in the air. Walk around, feel it. People love to live here. There are many shops and stores to pick from. The museum is incredible. Sit down, relax and feel the island vibe. Grab a coffee, a Balboa bar, or a frozen banana. Do you want gourmet? They have that. Just feel the ocean breeze, the setting sun, the sounds of boats in the harbor. And the island goes on. You can rent or buy homes here for a reasonable price. No, you are not on Lido. Visiting Balboa Island is like going to Hawaii but also staying right here. read more

Balboa Island - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I put my car on the ocean ferry for the first time in my life, it was so cool. The area was quiet and peaceful, it was a lovely place to walk. I tried to be as respectful as possible by not speaking loudly in the morning, not leaving any trash in the neighborhood, and so forth. Parked away from the main island and then walked over, saw the lovely rows and houses and then the shops. Please listen to the song I am parodying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjnmICxvoVY While you are reading my review. It's hard to find free parking And all the streets are crowded But in a glance, I see your beauty in an instant And then I know I feel our health and wellness The parking is so hard And the things are so pricey But yet I feel I knew I'd love it before we came here All of the views and active life I knew I'd love it before we came here The calm and lovely morning time It's cool in winter season The ocean gives us a reason And in the skies I see the blue deep meaning That I adore It's everywhere that we roam The parking is so hard And the things are so pricey But yet I feel I knew I'd love it before we came here All of the views and active life I knew I'd love it before we came here The calm and lovely morning time Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ooh ooh Oh oh oh oh oh A thousand birds fly up above you Ooh, ooh, ooh Oh oh oh I hope they don't drop poop upon you I knew I'd love it before we came here All of the views and active life I knew I'd love it before we came here The calm and lovely morning time I knew I'd love it before we came here I knew I'd love it I knew I'd love it before we came here I knew I'd love it I knew I'd love it before we came here Oh oh oh oh oh read more

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Balboa Island is a magical place to visit during the holidays. Many homeowners go all out with decorating their homes, front patios, even their piers out front. We visited the day before the annual boat parade this year and it was perfect timing. Everything was completely decked out, many boats doing a trial run, but without the crowds! There were even some hot cocoa entrepreneurs set up in case you needed a little warm up. We took the ferry over from the peninsula which added to the nostalgia and fun. Definitely come to the island on foot because there is zero parking. The homes had amazing and creative decorations. It was so fun to "ooo and ah" walking from place to place. Of course my favorite is the Bear House which featured 6134 bears, grouped by theme. The homeowners were obviously pretty tired of answering "how many bears are there?" hundreds of times a night and had a little sign inside on the counter. I love coming to the island to get an "Original Frozen Banana" from either Dad's or Sugar 'n Spice. I'm not going to pick sides, you're both my favorite. But visiting during the holidays is extra special! read more

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On Saturday night, I went to Bolboa Island with friends to check out the Christmas decorations. Finding a parking spot here might be extremely difficult. There are a lot of people there, it's extremely crowded, and the weather is really cold so wear warm clothes. One of the bear-decorated houses is really lovely and a great place to snap lots of photos. Great place to hang out around Christmas time. read more

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The traffic isn't much to be excited about but everything else on the island is awesome! You could rent a house there and never have to leave the island but if you wanted to, Newport Beach is just a short drive across the bridge. - Of course you have views of the ocean and a fun, casual neighborhood feel. The candy shops, restaurants and stores on the island are inviting and cheeky. When my girlfriends would come to visit me from out of town, we would spend a day on Balboa. - There are great coffee shops but keep in mind that street parking is limited. Make sure to go on a sunny day. read more

Balboa Island - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Balboa island is a small "island" about 5 mins off the coast of Newport Beach. In a few hours you can go into the little island by boat, by car or by foot, and check out the marina surrounded island. Have a frozen banana or do some small business shopping. It's a super fun day trip and easy to access. A handful of yummy restaurants on the Marina Ave and the shop owners are exceptionally friendly. read more

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Loooove going down to Balboa Island. Love the fun things to do, yummy treats, fun shops, and fun water/boat activities. It's a great place to visit alone, with family, with friends, or on a date :) read more

Charming little spot with great harbor views and a relaxed vibe. Walking along the water is lovely, especially around sunset. Parking can be a bit tricky and fills up fast, so come early or be patient. There are public restrooms available, which is a big plus when spending time walking or grabbing snacks. Overall, a fun and scenic stop worth the visit. read more

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Balboa Island is one of my favorite places to visit. I fell in love with it many, many years ago and wished to live here one day. Through the years of my growing family, I have brought them here to enjoy the wonderful charm of this beautiful town. We always started with the ferry that carried our car with everyone in it. The kids loved it and the experience never got old. I was overjoyed when my family planned a day on the island as part of my birthday celebration weekend. The weather was just right at a slightly cloudy 75 degrees. It was busy, but not overly crowded. We walked Marine Ave. and the surrounding areas. We shopped, lunched, snacked on favorite treats, admired the lovely homes and snacked some more. The locals and small business owners are incredibly warm and welcoming. It was a perfect day! It is street parking only which can get tough at times, but it's free. We were so happy to find a spot as we arrived at the center of Marine Ave. Public restrooms are at the Firehouse. read more

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What a unique place. You can park on the peninsula and take the ferry over, or go with your car. You may also be able to go a back route where you just drive right on. We went during the holiday time and loved seeing all the homes with the holiday displays (it's a very festive town). It's nice to walk around. There are options for meals and ample chocolate frozen bananas for dessert. I do have to say none of the restaurants seemed like they had "great" reviews so maybe needs some new energy here. Can't wait to return! read more

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Small cute quaint. Some shops on Marine Ave but not too much. The sea shell and silvery shops have all closed up and the neat clothing shops have been replaced by more expensive ones that are not as unique. The street is mostly comprised of a mix of restaurants, many dessert shops, many expensive clothing shops, many tourist souvenir shops. The street used to basically stop at the Chinese restaurant. Now stores extend beyond that and beyond the fire station that serves as public restrooms. The street still exists but its origins uniqueness has diminished somewhat now that the old shops have been replaced by these newer ones . Still recommend visiting though . Parking is hard so go during weekdays or park in residential streets. read more

One of my favorite places in Newport Beach love to walk the whole island especially at Christmas time so much fun family friendly. A great place to hang out for the day, shop eat, and be by the water. Christmas time is my absolute favorite. read more

We walked onto the ferry and had a blast exploring and shopping on Balboa! Lots of cute eateries and beautiful scenery! read more

Balboa Island - So much fun! - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

If you love the ocean, cute quaint little towns, & like to walk around like a tourist and have never been here, Don't walk run! You are missing out! This is the cutest little town with the cutest downtown area wptncure family owned small businesses. Go check them out and support them. They make the town quaint & beautiful. After discovering all the cute shops go fur a walk by the ocean front walkway and breathe in and admire the ocean, the sky, and the scenery. Don't forget to take the ferry across in Your car to the other side of Newport. Have fun !! read more

Balboa Island - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Christmas time is awesome here. So much fun to walk around and see the lights. Parking is crazy but everyone is so chill and enjoying the time of year. read more

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Fun little island to walk around - cute shops, charming cottages, and a scenic walking path around the perimeter of the island (no bicycles). A nice selection of restaurants offering everything from frozen bananas to Italian food to smoothie bowls. There's also a ferry that transports cars, people and bikes across to the Balboa peninsula for a fee (see photo for current 2024 prices), A lovely place to spend the afternoon away from the hustle and bustle. read more

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There would be more stars if possible! This has been a family go-to for years. Being in a place where you feel the towniness AND Resortiness is an extraordinary combination. Only one hour from Los Angeles, you feel like a whole other place. The boutiques are unique to the town. There are a lot of things you must get but didn't know you wanted! It is charming and everyone seems to be in a great mood! Sign me up. My dtr and I went to celebrate her birthday there and had the best time exploring and boating. We never wanted to leave but the ice cream cake waiting for us was the only lure back home! So memorable and meaningful! read more

Balboa Island is like a tiny New England town that has been plucked up and placed in the middle of the water. There's a little bit of everything here: restaurants, stores, art galleries. Everyone is a hidden gem in and of itself. Each place is one of a kind... Just like the island itself. THE DEAL: a day trip, to Balboa Island, is a fun way for the whole family to make memories together! read more

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Likes: + Very scenic and nice vibes. Adventurous and fun to hang out. + Numerous shops to enjoy your time at. + Nicely close to the beach air and fresh salty breeze. Non-likes: - Not bike-friendly. There are no dedicated bike lanes here. I wasn't comfortable sharing the slow, crowded road with cars. I was trying to exceed my PR. Shortly into my visit on the island I already turned back out. read more

Balboa Island is such a beautiful area to spend a day at. They have cute little boutiques, restaurants, a walking path that lets you view some gorgeous homes and boats. If you get through walking all of the main parts of balboa island you can catch the ferry or transport your car across the ferry to get to the Balboa Peninsula where they offer some more shops and restaurants on the boardwalk, fishing tours, and some relaxing sunset tours. During summer, weekends, and holidays, it does get very crowded and parking will be difficult to find so just be patient while searching. read more

Balboa Island - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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This place was so fun. The girls love all the food and rides. The fairy is so easy to go back and forth from the island to shore. We will def be back. read more

Cool place to hang out for a while! Parking is always bad here, unless you are really early. BUT, if you type on your GPS "The Crab Cooker" restaurant, there is an inside parking lot right behind it. $15 for 2 hours, plus $2 every 15 minutes after that. Or you can do $50 for the whole day. We chose the 2 hours plus 15 minutes. We paid $19 for 2.5 hours. This parking structure is about a 3 minute walk from the beach! Then we rented bicycles. $9 for 1 hour or $18 for 3 hours. It was fun just cruising up and down the bike path. But it does get really hectic around all the bars and restaurants area. But it was all cool! With it. You can also just walk around. At night the restaurants and bar area get really lit! Fun times. read more

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The sprinkle donuts were a hit with the kids and what's better than hot coffee and a fresh croissant?

Ahhh all the adventures and memories on Balboa Island. So, my partner lives on this island and that means I come over all the time! haha Pretty much every weekend. I really need to work on checking-in when I come, but I always forget. This island has pros and cons. I will start with the pros. It is a fun place to hang out and walk around. There are frozen banana's, a market for groceries, a museum with the history of the island, smoothies/ juices, shopping and dining. The cons though, should really be considered. The traffic is horrible. It gets overly crowded on weekends and holidays. So crowded that getting on and off the island takes forever and is a huge pain in the butt. Another negative is the parking. Because it is overly crowded, there is never parking available. And when you do find a spot, you have to walk a couple blocks to get to the main drag with all the festivities. And good luck parallel parking into a tiny spot that you found. It is such a hassle. Prepare to drive around multiple times hoping someone is leaving to take their spot. I know this is a man-made island, I just wish they thought about parking and made space for that. Also, just a heads up- people will just walk right in-front of your car. Even if you are driving and they are not on the crosswalk. The tourists seem to be oblivious to traffic laws on the island. Lots of rudeness and entitlement here. read more

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Balboa island is a great place to visit little boutiques (it's always good to shop local!), eat, go to the beach and walk around. It's very hard to find parking during tourist months tho. There is a ferry that takes you and your car across the ocean to the other side but you can just drive around to the other side as well. There are two public areas for restrooms: by the ferry and by the fire station. They do get gross when its busy. read more

Balboa Island - Sunset - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Nice place to visit on a hot day and get an ice cream and watch the boats. Only down side is parking can be hard to get sometimes but that's expected if going here. read more

Great place to walk around, recommend taking the ferry to and back rather than going around to get on the island. We usually take it along with our car. There are several eating places around, ferris wheel, arcade, shopping. Definitely a good idea for a date, family time or even some alone time. There are always big crowds from the times I've been. You can also travel from Catalina Island from there too! read more

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Enjoyed a nice walk around the island.. clean, quiet and love the smell of the ocean; that seaweed scent.. a very busy island, one can also rent a vacation home here read more

What a fun place just to hang out. I came here with my sisters one Friday night and we had such a blast checking out the shops and filling our bellies. We took the little ferry to the other side and had more fun and filled our bellies even more. The houses here are beautiful. The locals are super friendly. It was so much fun taking in all the sites and definitely put me in a better mood. The sound of the water, the salty smell in the air. It was the best medicine ever for me. Fun place if you have nothing to do. read more

Balboa Island - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Cool place to check out take the ferry over nice to get on the water. Nice path to walk around the island. Downtown close early at 6PM on a Thursday they may stay open later on weekends. Get the frozen banana. Other than that place is pricy and kinda have a stick up there butt on people living there. Get down to EARTH if you want more tourists. read more

Balboa Island is such a beautiful paradise only moments away from the freeway. With so much to see and so much to do you need to be able to stay at least one night. It does get busy if you want to cross and use the fairy. Make sure to use exact change as they do not except credit card to get to the island. With tons of eateries and activities to do you're sure to find something to enjoy either for yourself or for your entire family. I plan on visiting again when it's not as hot and possibly less crowded. As parking is limited on the island make sure to observe all curbs as well as posted signs to avoid possibly getting a ticket you can thank me later. read more

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Love this little island. It's a bit tucked away further south of Newport but worth spending some time at. There's some small shops and restaurants along the main street on the island. The chocolate dipped bananas are yummy. Parking along the island is free. Weekdays are less packed so it's easier to grab a parking spot along the neighborhood. We usually like to walk along the water and enjoy the scenery as well. Definitely a local hidden gem in SoCal. read more

It was Mother's Day and we actually got a great parking spot. We walked on the Main Street and saw restaurants, shops, people, dogs, and then boats as we walked around the island. We took the ferry to the Newport Beach side. A beautiful Mother's Day read more

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Amazing island to spend Christmas holidays!!! Miracle decoration of residential houses. A lot of lighted boats. Atmosphere of happiness and holidays read more

Balboa Island - Competition of the best decorated house. - Beaches Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Fun place to take the kids for boat rides, whale watching, shopping and good eats. Lots of choices from shaved ice to funnel cakes to lobster galore read more

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