So close to the coast that one of its main streets directly continues Newport Beach’s Jamboree Road over a walkable bridge, Balboa Island is a retail, dining, and residential community directly between the Waterfront Marina and Balboa Peninsula. Recalling Southern California in the 1960’s and 1970’s, the main shopping and restaurant strip on Marine Road is home to famously dueling local frozen banana shops Dad’s and Sugar ‘n Spice, as well as indie restaurants such as the Swiss-French Basilic, locations of small cafe and dessert chains including Gelatissimo, and countless beauty/fashion boutiques. Surrounded by boats and alternately accessible via the century-old Balboa Island Ferry, the island’s businesses offer boat and paddleboard rentals, as well as proximity to docks with ships and hovercraft bound for Catalina Island.
Parking on the island can be challenging, particularly on weekends during and after lunch hours. Street parking tends to be free but cramped around Marine Road, with few options on its small side streets and narrow alleys, so give yourself extra time or walk over from a nearby Newport Beach lot if possible. Balboa Island immediately neighbors Lido Isle and the Via Lido area, home to additional shopping and dining options at Lido Marina Village and Via Lido Plaza.
