Your TL;DR Travel Guide on what to do in Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula
TL;DR: Sunny skies and blue ocean waves – the Balboa Peninsula is a truly relaxing and fun place to enjoy your day all year round. With a classic California boardwalk, arcade games, and various vendors, Balboa Village is a scaled-back version of larger beach communities like Santa Monica. Expect to spend some money on parking, which can be hard to find on busy summer days, plus a little bit more depending on your shopping and dining plans.
Whether you are looking for fun weekend plans or you are in Orange County on a vacation, you can find plenty of fun things to do in Newport Beach’s Balboa Village. Located on the coast of Newport Beach, the Balboa Peninsula is a coastal neighborhood with stunning beach views and special attractions that both locals and tourists enjoy.
As a coastal community, there are a few paid parking options. You can find a metered spot along E Balboa Blvd. However, I personally prefer the beach parking lot on 105 Palm Street, which is conveniently located near the Balboa Pier. You will need to cross the street after parking to get to places like the Fun Zone, but this also gives you the opportunity to check out other businesses in the area. Once you do find parking, everything is within walking distance.
Check Out the Balboa Fun Zone
The Balboa Fun Zone is one of the most recognizable tourist attractions in Orange County’s Balboa Peninsula. If you are traveling with kids or you would like to experience a classic California nostalgia-inducing boardwalk, then the Fun Zone is the place for you.
Originally built in the 1930s, Balboa’s Fun Zone now consists of a colorful Ferris wheel, small theme park rides, an arcade, and several shops and eateries. Imagine grabbing a scoop (or three) of ice-cream from local shop Cowafornia before you check out the different vendors with the sound of seagulls and arcade games in the background. That is the magic of the Balboa Fun Zone.
The Fun Zone is also a great place to capture a few photos (my favorite thing to do) and walk around. For more information about hours and specific attractions, you can visit the Balboa Fun Zone’s official website here. Keep in mind that several attractions are typically closed on Tuesdays/Wednesdays and holidays.
Catch the Ferry to Balboa Island
Balboa Island is one of Newport Beach’s eight islands. It is a festive and peaceful place that usually gets all-decked out for the holidays (any holiday). If you want to explore more boutiques and eateries, you can hop on the Ferry, located in the Fun Zone, for a few dollars and take the very short ride over to the Island. Balboa Island is the perfect place for Christmas-light viewing or taking a casual stroll. You can also grab the famous Balboa Bar from one of the local stands on Marine Avenue (or, my personal favorite, a chocolate-covered frozen banana).
Eat at the First Ruby’s Diner
Ruby’s Diner is a 1950s-inspired American diner with locations throughout the USA (although most of those locations are in California). Located on the end of Balboa Pier, this Ruby’s Diner is the original, first built in 1982. For anyone looking to grab a milkshake and some fries, then Ruby’s Diner is for you.
Go Whale Watching or Rent a Duffy
The Newport Penninsula is surrounded by beautiful waters with the Pacific Ocean on one side and Newport Harbor on the other – so boating and water sports are popular recreational activities! Both locals and tourists can rent a Duffy, or a small electric boat, to really experience coastal life. You can also catch a tour, book a cruise, or rent from one of the many businesses located in Balboa Pavilion. Many tourists visit the area to grab a seat on the Catalina Flyer for a day trip over to Catalina Island. However, be advised that these options can cost a little bit more than the other activities on this list. Looking to explore your options a bit more? Check out what businesses are in the area here.
While relaxing on the beach is always a nice time, some days you just want to try something different. Here are a few ways you can enjoy Balboa Village. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these!
TL;DR Travels 
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