Balboa Island

[TheReneeWest]

Unfortunately, it looks like there's no longer going to be the historic Fun Zone--I just read an article on the upcoming development of ExplorOcean by the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. It's crazy how many changes are going to be happening! reneewestblog. com / explorocean-the-latest-change-­to-the-balboa-peninsula

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@TheReneeWest I know the carousel is moving, but I haven't heard of any other major changes aside from ExplorOcean.

[Jonny7Juno]

Christy Miller got me here. (L)

[2unicorns1horn]

I grew up around this place, considering my grandpa works here. I love it. <3

[FloridaVilla4Bed]

Perfect place for a family vacation. Balboa Island will surely be a favorite amongst the little ones.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@FloridaVilla4Bed It definitely is great for families!

[LizDickey08]

I miss my home!



[ncwdane]

This is Balboa Pennesula, not the island

Might wanna change the title

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@ncwdane This video includes both the peninsula and the island. Thanks...

[ncwdane]

@CaliforniaTravelTips No Problem

I watch a lotta your vids you make & enjoy them

HB & Newport plus Balboa have been my stomping grounds forever,

just a suggestion, I though most the video by far was the pennisula, maybe not :-) GBU

I also Love Bog Bear & the river, so cals awesome to live in :-)

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@ncwdane Hi and thanks! Yes, I know what you're saying. I just wanted to include both spots because the ferry goes back and forth there. It explains what to do in that area. Cheers, V

[TwlohaLITM]

THIS IS MY FAVOURITE PLACE ON EARTH! AHHHH

[xXMidnightdoveXx]

my dad used to take me here all of the time...

I miss him more and more everyday :c

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@xXMidnightdoveXx I'm so sorry...

[xXMidnightdoveXx]

@CaliforniaTravelTips it was a long time ago...I think I was 9 the last time I was there...

but i hope to take my kids to Balboa Island someday...

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@xXMidnightdoveXx Hope you can too!

[xXMidnightdoveXx]

@CaliforniaTravelTips Yeah...I think I'll drive down to Balboa for my 17th birthday next year...

[lizapoo]

why did they take down that dark and scary ride and the bumper cars to put in that "aquatic museum".... why?!?!!?! gahhh

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@lizapoo Not sure. Guess it didn't get enough business....

[xXMidnightdoveXx]

@lizapoo WHAT?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....sometime later....OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved the bumper cars and the scary ride :c

[yeomanrycavalry]

I love Balboa Island, used to live in H.B. as a kid and remembered the excitement of going on the ferry to get to the island. It's funny how much you don't know as a kid at the historical value of a place. Surf Music cultural roots definitely run deep here.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@yeomanrycavalry Yes, Balboa is awesome. I went to HB a lot as a kid too. Remember the huge punk scene there at the Golden Bear. I used to drive my 69 Dart across the Ferry just for fun! Good times.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

@yeomanrycavalry Yes, Balboa is awesome. I went to HB a lot as a kid too. Remember the huge punk scene there at the Golden Bear. I used to drive my 69 Dart across the Ferry just for fun! Good times.

[koasterkav]

How did they "ruin" the fun zone? I haven't been there in decades. I'll be in Southern California in early February.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

I don't think it's ruined. They just removed a few attractions — the scary dark ride and the bumper cars. There's still plenty of stuff to do here. Hope this helps!

[koasterkav]

Thank you. It did.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Sounds nice! I'd love to live there!

[llamarama2324]

best place ever !!!!!!!!!! except they ruined the fun zone!!!!!balboa bars r the best

[cardo32]

Ive lived in california my whole life and am a avid beach visiter, about 20min drive to newport from where i live, but i have never been to balboa island....this video makes me wanna go and see what ive been missing this entire time

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Hope you have fun! You'll have a great time. Be sure to get the Balboa Bar. They are wonderful!

[trisha0623]

My family and my sisters friend always go whale watching we always see dolphins sealions on the bewy and whales! and then we hang by the beach and then go to balboa island and balboa island used to have a hanted house ride but they got rid of it!

[mrsjohnnyknoxville13]

god i love this place.

me and my friends go on the beach there at midnight all the time :))

[IceCream241]

Ur Job is awesome!!!!!! i wanna go there so bad!

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Balboa is great. When you go, you'll have a great time! Thanks for commenting! Veronica

[zaileqp]

i was there it was so fun!

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Glad you had a nice time! What were your favorite things there?

[2222linda]

I am planning 2 go here next month

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Very cool. Hope you have fun!

[Mcfuzz234]

I love Balboa! I go there almost every summer. And my favorite part of the island wasthe fun zone...but they are tearing it down and turning it into a museum! The funzone has been there for generations! They can't take it down!

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Hi Mcfuzz234. I haven't heard anything about them tearing down the Fun Zone. Where did you hear that? The Newport CVB hasn't mentioned anything either.

[Mcfuzz234]

Its sorta talk aroundthe island. I think they have already started. =(

I hope they keep the bungee jump! I am the record holder for most flips non -stop. my record is 155 non stop. i would have gone for 200, but they were like "ok time is up. u must be getting down now". And i was sad. oh well. im gonna try again tomorow. lol

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

What a bummer! I spent many weekends there in high school and still like going down there with my kids. The bungee is super fun, but too short!

[Railroadmaster]

The entire fun zone wasn't torn down just a lot of it. There used to be Bumper cars, A scary dark ride, A drummer boy ride, A mini golf course, and rock climbing wall. All that is left is the Ferris Wheel, Merry Go Round, and Bungee jumper. The building that houses The Bumper cars, The scary dark ride, and the drummer boy ride now houses a very crappy museum. It sucks.

[bassmonkey122]

I heard about them tearing it down about 2 years ago, but all i've seen them do it take out the bumper cars and haunted house.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Yes, I noticed during our last visit that the bumper cars were replaced by a small museum with touch pool. I don't miss the haunted house ride though. It was pretty cheesy! LOL.

[ffern002]

I know I was sad when I heard. The funzone was the life. Ruby's diner has really good food, and if you can get past the continual stench of gutted fish it is pretty nice to sit and eat there.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

I agree. I just ate lunch at Ruby's (on the roof) this past weekend and it was lots of fun. No wait, despite being a Saturday, which was fantastic. Only problem was my husband and I ordered two different beers, and none had been refrigerated. Bummer! Had iced tea instead.

[LAKompany]

Gosh, I used to go down to Balboa with my father to get his haircuts from his pal and my mother used to advise me to come back there when I was older to find a rich girl.

[legonerfproductions]

i went there with my granpa for fishing

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Fun!

[SquidTard]

Love your video's :P

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Thank you!! That means a lot to us! Veronica

[AsktheBuilder]

Reminds me of Coney Island in Cincinnati, OH. It closed when they build Kings Island which is north of Cincinnati.

[CaliforniaTravelTips]

Balboa is great! I spent many Friday and Saturday nights here as a teen.