This is a very charming area with cute and colorful houses and some boutique shops. Very much worth a visit - and it won't take you too long - it's a small area.

Balboa Island is a little treasure that can only be reached by ferry or one bridge. It is a fascinating little place to visit full of character and charm. The well maintained water front houses and mini gardens are a pleasure to stroll past and the water views with all manner of boating a dream. We enjoyed a great late breakfast whilst visiting and found some great little shops as well. A very relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Used to live on the Island in the 70's. It is one of many in the Newport Harbor and the one that is the Island for the tourists. While in the 70's houses were porportunate to the plot of land there are now many oversized buildings too bad. Lots of tourists during the summer whith many of the homes for rent by the week and 9 month renatals duirng the school year. The Island is 2 1/2 miles in circumfrance so good for a morning run and checking out the homes on the bay front. People are used to lots of people visiting so very friendly. The stores on the Island I think need to be updated not very upscale and nothing for those who live on the Island. Just lots of kitch and tourist shops which seem to change often. Hard to survive in retail on the Island.

You'll be able to enjoy Balboa Island without the crowds and traffic. Remember to take a book to read after you check out the great shops, places to eat and your long walk around and up and down the streets exploring all of the cute beach houses. There are benches every so often to just sit and take in all of the beauty of the water, the boats, people walking by and everything else that makes Balboa special.