Clockwise from top left : This custom home at 218 Diamond Street is currently for sale ; 111 Grand Canal is a historic home on Balboa Island ; Dad ’ s Donuts continues to be a popular spot on Marine Avenue
ACTIVITIES FOR ALL Finding something to do on Balboa Island is never a problem . Marine Avenue is where many of the area ’ s high-end shops and restaurants are located — from Sunny Days clothing boutique to Mare Blu swimwear , Charleston Shoe Co ., Blu Canoe housewares , Sur La Mer Coastal Goods , which offers gifts , accessories and decor , Italian restaurants Ciao and Trattoria , and Basilic , which serves Swiss and French cuisine .
If you ’ ve seen the TV show “ Arrested Development ,” you know about Balboa Bars . The series takes place in Newport Beach where the family runs a frozen banana stand , similar to the real-life Sugar N ’ Spice , which claims to have invented the frozen banana desert , while up the street , Dad ’ s Donuts says it came up with the Balboa Bar . Either way , visitors to Balboa need to try the chocolate-dipped ice cream treat rolled in nuts , sprinkles and other toppings .
Visitors and residents can take the Balboa Island Ferry between the island and the peninsula where the Balboa Fun Zone lies just across the water with a Ferris wheel , arcade and more restaurant options as well as the nearby Balboa Pavilion , which has been a beacon for local boaters for more than 100 years .
Since Balboa Island is located in one of the largest recreation harbors in the U . S ., locals and visitors can also rent a boat , paddleboard or kayak to explore the bay and channels . Parking can be limited , so renting a bicycle on the island is also a great way to tour the locale . At any time of day , just walking around the island on the promenade is a social event , adds Dennerline , an island resident on and off for the past 40 years . “ People living on Balboa Island spend their leisure time dining at island restaurants and shopping at mom-and-pop boutiques , specialty shops and galleries as well as visiting our local Balboa Island Museum . It is like being on vacation all the time in this breathtaking , one-of-a-kind Newport Beach community ,” Shafer says . “ While this wonderful area is small , Balboa Island has different activities such as the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade , Balboa Island Artwalk and Balboa Island Parade in June to keep us busy all year long .”
In addition to these events , there ’ s a sandcastle contest , the Ring of Lights , Holiday Home Walking Tour and more special traditions on the island .
“ The people , lifestyle and mindset of the island really makes it what it is ,” Drewry says .
46 FALL / WINTER 2022 / 23 | LATITUDE33MAGAZINE . COM