Best Things to Do in Newport Beach: Exploring Balboa Island

Are you looking for the best things to do in Newport Beach, California? Awesome! You are in the right spot! We recently went and had an amazing time.

Newport Beach is pretty amazing area. I have been before, but I had never of Balboa Island until recently! I had a friend tell me that I need to go and get the famous Balboa ice cream bar.

I was up for the challenge and now I can tell you everything you need to know, so you can visit Balboa Island!

Balboa Island is a charming and fun place to spend a few hours walking around, enjoying the coastal views, and grabbing a famous Balboa Bar ice cream treat.

If you are planning a visit, you might be wondering how to get to Balboa Island and where to find these delicious chocolate-covered ice cream bars.

In this post, I am going to share how to get to Balboa Island, what to know before you go, and where you can try the famous Balboa Bar. Let’s get started!

Getting to Balboa Island from Newport Beach

One of the fun ways to get to Balboa Island is by taking the Balboa Island Ferry!

It is a short ride across Newport Harbor and a fun experience to add to your Newport Beach visit.

You can catch the ferry from the Balboa Peninsula near the intersection of Main Street and Agate Avenue, then ride across to South Bay Front on Balboa Island.

The ferry is especially convenient if you are exploring the Balboa Peninsula and want to visit the island without driving around the harbor.

The ferry ride only takes about 3–5 minutes and covers approximately 800 feet. It runs daily, generally from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, and you don’t need to make a reservation.

The ferry carries pedestrians, bicycles, and cars, so you can choose whichever option works for your visit.

Fares vary by passenger type, and you should check the official Balboa Island Ferry website  for current prices before heading out. We paid $2 per Adult and $1 for kids.

Walk Along the Harbor to Balboa Island’s Main Street

Once you get off the Balboa Island Ferry, you may be wondering where all the fun shops and famous ice cream bars are!

The main shopping area is along Marine Avenue, and it is a bit of a walk from where the ferry drops you off. I actually recommend taking your time and walking along the harbor rather than rushing to get there.

The waterfront views are beautiful, and it was one of my favorite parts of visiting Balboa Island. As you make your way toward Marine Avenue, you will pass charming homes, boats, and beautiful views of Newport Harbor.

Eventually, you will reach the little downtown area where you can browse the shops, grab something to eat, and, of course, get a famous Balboa Bar!

Try a Famous Balboa Bar on Balboa Island

Now for one of the most important things to do on Balboa Island — try a Balboa Bar!

If you have never had one before, a Balboa Bar is an ice cream bar that is dipped in chocolate and then covered with your choice of delicious toppings.

There are so many flavors and toppings to choose from, so it can be hard to decide which one to try. You will also notice that several shops claim to be the original Balboa Bar, so you may have to decide for yourself which one you like best!

We had a group of 12 people with us, which actually worked out perfectly because we decided to try all the different flavors and share. Everything we tried was so good!

I went with a Heath Bar Balboa Bar, and it was absolutely delicious. The combination of the cold ice cream, chocolate coating, and Heath Bar pieces was amazing.

If you are visiting Balboa Island, I definitely think getting a Balboa Bar is one of those experiences you shouldn’t skip. It is such a fun and tasty part of exploring this little Newport Beach destination!

Where to Eat on Balboa Island

If you are looking for places to eat on Balboa Island, you will find restaurants both near the ferry and farther down toward Marine Avenue.

This is good to know if you have someone in your group who doesn’t want to make the longer walk to the main shopping area.

My dad and husband decided to stay closer to the ferry, so they grabbed a meal at a restaurant nearby while the rest of us continued toward Marine Avenue.

There are several options around the island, whether you are looking for a quick lunch, a casual meal, seafood, or something sweet. Here are some Balboa Island restaurants to consider:

Balboa Island Market & Grille – Located at 500 S. Bay Front, this is just steps from the ferry landing and offers a convenient option if you don’t want to walk far. They serve breakfast and lunch at the grille.

Wilma’s Patio – A casual family restaurant located right on Marine Avenue. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is known for its home-style cooking.

The Village Inn – Located at 127 Marine Avenue, this is a long-standing Balboa Island restaurant with a full kitchen, bar, and patio seating.

Ciao Balboa – If you are craving Italian food, Ciao Balboa is located on Marine Avenue and serves pizza, pasta, and other Italian favorites.

Trattoria – This is another Italian option on Marine Avenue, with pasta and traditional Italian dishes.

Shanghai Pine Gardens – Located at 300 Marine Avenue, this restaurant serves Chinese food and is another option right in the heart of the island.

Luke’s Lobster – Located at 329 Marine Avenue, this is a casual choice for lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls.

Where to Stay in Newport Beach or Balboa Island

If you are planning to spend more than a few hours exploring Balboa Island, there are plenty of great places to stay in the Newport Beach area.

A Newport Beach vacation rental can be a great option for families or larger groups who want more space and the convenience of having a home away from home.

I love booking Newport Beach Marriott Vacation Club Villas. We have stayed in many of them around the World .

You can also find hotels and resorts throughout Newport Beach, depending on what type of vacation you are planning. Marriott also has the VEA Newport Beach Resort and the Resort at Pelican Hill.

Staying nearby makes it easy to spend more time enjoying Balboa Island, the beach, Newport Harbor, and all of the other fun things to do in Newport Beach.

Hit the Beach After Balboa Island

After exploring Balboa Island, it is time to hit the beach! Newport Beach is the perfect place to spend the rest of the day playing in the sand, enjoying the ocean, and making some great family memories.

We had so much fun exploring Balboa Island, trying all of the delicious Balboa Bars, and then ending our day at the beach.

If you are looking for things to do in Newport Beach, I definitely recommend adding Balboa Island to your list.

It is a fun little area to explore, and the combination of the island, harbor, shops, food, and beautiful beaches makes for a perfect Newport Beach day. If I had to pick, I would definitely make time for the famous Balboa Bar and a little beach time!

This trip is one of the best family California trips to do! We loved visiting this California City!

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