Today we’re sharing our favorite things to do with kids at Balboa Island at Newport Beach, California.
We did this Balboa Island itinerary over fall break when it still felt like late summer — sunshine, warm breezes, and all the coastal charm that makes Newport such a fun getaway.
An easy five hour drive from the East Valley, Balboa Island is a quiet, low-key beach area that gives private beach vibes without the price tag attached.
Honestly we can’t wait to do this itinerary again. There’s just something magical about hopping the ferry, eating ice cream by the harbor, and letting the kids run free on the boardwalk.
Balboa Island is the perfect mix of easy adventure and laid-back fun for families (and, only 30 minutes from Disney if you’re doing that as part of your trip as well).
XO,
East Valley Moms
Morning at Balboa Island with Kids: Arrive, Ferry Ride & Stroll the Island
1. Take the Balboa Island Ferry
Start your morning with a short but sweet ferry ride from Balboa Island (we stayed on the ‘little island’ here) to the Balboa Peninsula (or vice versa). The Ferry is a novelty for kids — the ride only takes a few minutes, but gives you a little splash of fun and a view of the harbor. (Yes, we’ve even seen seals bobbing around.)
Mom hack: be sure to bring lots of small bill cash for the ferry; it’s $2/person each time you ride it, and we rode it at least once every day of our stay.
2. Walk around to explore
Once we arrived and settled into our vacation rental on the little island of Balboa, we never had to drive anywhere. (We should have moved the car once for small island street sweeping days, learned the hard way after getting a $70 ticket for not moving our car on a Tuesday morning!)
Once you’re on the island, slow down.
Walk the flat paved paths, peek at the pastel-painted homes, watch boats in the harbor, and let the kids take in every detail. The whole island is small enough that it doesn’t require strenuous walking, which makes it perfect for families. We saw a walking map that the full little island is .75 miles, so it’s tiny in a good way.
Mom hack: bring a stroller if your kids are still able to enjoy a stroller walk. There’s a paved pathway overlooking the harbor that is a full loop on the small island. I walked it every morning and it was such a lovely morning walk to start our days.
3. Shop & Snack on Marine Avenue
Balboa Island’s main drag (Marine Avenue) is lined with sweet little boutiques, beachwear shops, galleries, and candy stores. It’s the perfect place to let the kids pick a souvenir, browse treats, or stop for a Balboa bar or a chocolate covered frozen banana.
Midday: Treats, Rides & the Fun Zone
4. Get a Balboa Bar (and frozen bananas)
No trip to Balboa Island is complete without a Balboa Bar. (And now I get the name of this ice cream bar shop in north east mesa!)
Balboa bars are vanilla ice cream bars dipped in chocolate (and your choice of toppings). Some folks swear by Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop; others prefer Sugar ‘n Spice (especially for their topping selection).
Also, the classic frozen banana dipped in chocolate is another local favorite. Many visitors hop between the two dessert shops to decide which they like better.
Also, don’t skip the salt water taffy shop–they have barrels of flavors that were so fun to build a bag to take home.
5. Cross over to the Balboa Fun Zone & Ride the Ferris Wheel
Hop back on the ferry (or walk across, depending on where you are) and head to the Fun Zone on the peninsula.
This place is a nostalgic delight: arcade games, carnival-style rides, and its iconic Ferris wheel.
If you’re looking for beach fare, the Fun Zone has it: think corn dogs, shaved ice and fried everything treats that are so fun for the beach.
6. Hit the Beach & Pier
After a sugar boost and some rides, seize the moment for some beach time.
The waves near the island/peninsula side tend to be gentler, which helps when you have small kids who want to splash. The Balboa Pier is a pleasant stroll too — and there’s a Ruby’s at the end if your crew is ready for a burger and shake. We packed a cooler for our afternoon at the beach.
Mom hack:The vacation rental we stayed at included beach umbrellas, beach toys, chairs and more for the ultimate day at the beach without having to pack it all ourselves. (Plus beach cruiser bikes.)
Where to Stay on Balboa Island with kids
Staying right on Balboa Island is a treat. I loved the walkability and connectedness to everywhere we went (legit never drove anyplace during our three night stay).
We stayed in this cozy, affordable second story beach cottage. It has incredibly family-friendly amenities, and you may recognize some of the amenities, as it’s the same owners who run our beloved mini cabins in Heber-Overgaard.
Here are some highlights and what I’d lean into when you pick a stay:
✨ Features I love (and things to look for)
- Walkable to all the fun — steps from the ferry, Marine Avenue shops, and harbor paths.
- Comfort & charm — a cozy feel so you don’t feel like you’re staying in a “tourist bunker,” but in a real little home where kids can drop their stuff and relax.
- Kitchen / dining setup — being able to make breakfast or snack at “home” is gold when you’ve got kids.
- Good wifi, clean interiors, easy check-in — the kind of reliability you expect from hosts who care.
Because the same people manage the mini cabins up in Heber at Rocky Rim Resort,that level of care carries over. You’ll find that “home away from home” feeling, even steps from harbor views and shop windows.
More tips for staying at Balboa Island with Kids:
- Bring a cooler for beach meals + snacks
- Be aware of 4 hour “no parking” signs for street sweeping days where street parking is limited. We learned the hard way after we missed the Tuesday morning street closure and got a $70 ticket!
- Bring cash (small bills) for the ferry
- The island’s paths are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, but some of the shops and alleys are narrow.
- Don’t feel pressure to cram in too much — part of Balboa’s charm is its relaxed pace
