Just off of Pacific Coast Highway is Balboa Island, a small island with a perimeter loop of just under two miles. The island’s small size makes it perfect for a full (or even half) day trip and incredibly walkable. With most of its businesses centralized on Marine Avenue, you can spend the first part of the day with your choice of restaurants and shopping and then explore the rest of the island.
I’ve been a frequent visitor of Balboa since I was a kid, with my family coming there for visits around our trips to nearby Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, or Laguna Beach. At any age, my sisters and I always found something to do on the island. When we were younger, we marvelled at the dessert options at Balboa Candy or one of the classic frozen banana shops. In my teenage years, we windowshopped through the variety of boutiques on Marine Avenue. It’s safe to say Balboa is full of nostalgia and fond memories. Here are some of my favorite spots around the island.
EAT AND DRINK
Sarah Lonser
Start the day with a coffee or tea at Huskins Coffee, then cross the street to grab one of Orange County’s “famous cinnamon rolls” from Balboa Island Baking Company. If you book early enough, you may even be able to snag a spot in one of their classes. Because of its proximity to many iconic OC beaches, Balboa is a great stop to make before a trip down to the water. If that’s your plan, I recommend grabbing lunch sandwiches and sides from the deli at Irvine Ranch Market.
For dinner, there are a number of options along Marine Avenue, but one of my favorites is the family-owned Basilic. They have a selection of delicious Swiss-French dishes, including a great Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon. For those with no-meat diets, my grandparents, both vegetarian, have never had a complaint about their seasonal veggie specials.
A great spot for drinks and Balboa Island staple is the Village Inn, just across the street from the Balboa Island Fire Department. The Village Inn serves a number of craft cocktails like the “Balboa Buzz”, along with lunch and dinner.
Desserts, specifically chocolate covered ones, are not hard to come by on Balboa. Of course, there are the signature Balboa Bars—vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate and toppings of your choice—or frozen bananas from Dad’s or Sugar ‘n Spice. Another favorite of mine is the chocolate-covered strawberries from Balboa Island Berries who use locally-sourced, seasonal fruits.
SHOP
Courtesy of Blue Atlas Marketplace
Balboa Island is home to quite a few boutiques and small businesses. My family and I love Olive Oil and Beyond for specialty olive oils and vinegars, as well as their selection of gourmet goods. My sisters and I loved to make our mom stock up on their heart-shaped or rainbow bowtie pasta. Blue Atlas Marketplace has a selection of home decor and gifts for yourself or any other recipient. If you’re looking for Balboa-specific souvenirs, visit the Balboa Island Museum and find postcards, books, toys, and local artwork.
DO
Sarah Lonser
There is no shortage of fun activities on Balboa Island. Just a quick trip on the Balboa Island Ferry gets you to the Balboa Island Fun Zone. If you’re taking the ferry, just remember to bring some cash or stop at an ATM on your way. The Fun Zone has a ferris wheel, arcade, and other boardwalk rides. You can also rent a duffy boat to cruise around the harbor. On your way out of or into the island, I recommend you commemorate your trip with a photo strip from the photobooth outside Sundance Thrift Shop.