Balboa Island

Home to some of the most luxurious bayfront homes in the country, Balboa Island offers coastal living at its absolute finest. This one-of-a-kind, man-made island has captivating harbor views and is surrounded by a 2.5 mile boardwalk loop – perfect for a picturesque walk or run. Many bayfront homes have private dock space that can accommodate boats of various sizes.

Despite being a world-class vacation destination, Balboa Island locals retain a strong sense of community and the island has a small-town feel. There are many annual community events, including: the Balboa Island Garage Sale, the 4th of July Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting, Holiday Home Tour, and the Christmas Boat Parade – to name a few.

The island is home to three parcels: Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island, and Collins Island. All parcels are connected by drivable bridges. In total, there are 1,414 homes on the entirety of Balboa Island. The main section of the island is by far the largest and is the main tourist attraction. Little Balboa Island can be accessed by a bridge located behind the fire station. Little Balboa Island is a mirror image of the main island, however it is only homes. Collins Island is on the opposite side of the island and is the only gated portion of Balboa Island. Collins Island features one small cul-de-sac-like loop and all homes on Collins Island have oversized harbor frontage lots.

There are endless things to do on the island without ever getting in the car! Marine Avenue, the main street of the island, is home to chic restaurants of a variety of culinary flavors and unique coastal shops featuring art, jewelry, coastal fashion, etc. Another iconic Newport Beach landmark is the Balboa Ferry - a pedestrian, bike, and car accessible ferry that connects Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula. Without a doubt, nothing is more iconic than the two famous desserts that Balboa Island is known for: the Balboa Bar and Frozen Banana. These treats have been a Newport Beach staple for over 75 years and have been popularized in film and television, most notably in Netflix’s hit show “Arrested Development” – a satirical comedy set in Newport Beach.

Part of Balboa Island’s charm is its unique history and the local’s dedication to preserving and honoring the history of the island while continuing to modernize it. Marine Avenue is also home to the Balboa Island Museum which has been a labor of love over the years from many local contributors and generational families that continue to live on the island and celebrate its beautiful history.