Balboa Island is an charming area of Newport Beach, California, comprised of three modified or artificial islands in Newport Harbor: Balboa Island, the largest; the smaller Little Balboa Island to the east of Balboa Island, joined by a two-lane bridge; and the smallest Collins Isle to the northwest of Balboa Island, joined by a one-lane bridge. The Balboa Island community is joined to the mainland by a short two-lane bridge on the northeast of Balboa Island, and a privately operated fleet of three, three-car ferryboats which provide access across the harbor to the Balboa Peninsula which lies to the south.
Balboa Island’s Marine Avenue is home to chic coastal shops featuring unique nautical designs, stylish beach fashions, art and jewelry. It’s also home to quaint Balboa Island restaurants and bistros serving up a variety of dishes bursting with flavor. The selections on Baloa Island go beyond the local fresh seafood of the day with flavors of Italian, Mexican, and French-Swiss mixed in to the culinary choices. There may be nothing more iconic than the island’s two famous desserts, the Balboa Bar and Frozen Banana. The local sweet tooth treasures have been mainstays for nearly 75 years.
A one-of-a-kind, man-made treasure, Balboa Island is a gem whether you drive, walk, bike or take the Balboa Island Ferry to the island.
