Costa Mesa's Neighborhood Blog

A blog about Newport and Costa Mesa with an emphasis on Costa Mesa Real Estate and Newport Beach Real Estate, written by a lifetime local resident of coastal Orange County whose knowledge of the area, combined with a strong background in mortgages, real estate and being an attorney, gives her clients many advantages.

Balboa Island Through the Eyes of a Two Year Old

Balboa Island Through the Eyes of a Two Year Old

 

 

When most people think about Balboa Island. they may consider the mutli million dollar bay front homes or the expensive yachts, the Christmas decorations or even the Balboa Ferry.  But, for my two-year old son, the homes are of no interest, and the yachts are "boats, Mommy."

 

Instead taking a tour of Balboa Island with my little one, allowed me to see another side of the island, one I probably haven't seen since I was his age and living there with my dad.

 

We started by taking the Balboa Ferry over to the Island.  What a delight to take him on the ferry, and to watch his eyes light up when we took him out of the car seat and let him experience the wind in his hair and the sun on his face.

 

That's when we knew our adventure had started.

 

"What's that, Daddy?"  "The Bay."  "Water, Daddy."

 

Balboa Ferry

 

"What's that, Daddy?"  "The Pavilion."

 

"What's that, Daddy?"  "The ferris wheel."  "Wanna ride!"

 

"What's that, Mommy?"  "The sand."  "Play, Mommy, shoes off."

 

"What's that, Mommy?"  "A seagull."  "Bird, Mommy."  "Yes, seagulls are a type of bird."

 

"What's that, Mommy?"  "A boat."  "Big boat, Mommy."  "Yes, a very big boat."

 

Balboa Island

 

"What's that, Mommy?"  "A bench."  "Why?"  "Because that's what it's called."  "Why?"  "Because that's the name that was picked for it."  "Why?"  And, now I'm thinking, I have no idea, I wonder if it came from Latin.

 

 

Balboa Island

 

Looking at Balboa Island was a very different experience than looking at if from adult eyes.  It was also a reminder that it's okay to stop and smell the flowers, enjoy the bay and just generally enjoy what's around you.

 

So, when was the last time you took the Balboa Ferry over to Balboa Island and just enjoyed a walk around the island and took the time to enjoy the beauty and smell the flowers?

 

Curious about what's available on the island, see Balboa Island homes for sale.

 

Originally published at Balboa Island Through the Eye's of a 2-Year Old.

 

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About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.

Are you upside down in your home? Is it worth less than you owe? Are you concerned about making your mortgage payment? For more information see Options to Foreclosures, understanding short sales or contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com to discuss your options.

If you want to buy a home or to list your property for sale, please click Newport Beach homes, Costa Mesa homes, Huntington Beach homes or Orange County homes.  Click the link if you are interested in buying a home at a courthouse auction sale.

Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to learn about her system which will make your buying and selling experience easier.

Disclaimer: All information in this blog is deemed reliable but is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed to be accurate nor are there any warantees either express or implied. This blog is not intended to offer any legal, tax or other advice.

Federal Government Disclaimer (MARS) 

  1. You may stop doing business with us at any time. You may accept or reject the offer of mortgage assistance we obtain from your lender [or servicer]. If you reject or accept the offer, you do not have to pay us.  
  2. Christine Donovan, DonovanBlatt and Donovan Group are not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender; and 
  3. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.

Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale.

Balboa Island - Live on Newport Bay

Balboa Island is a lovely place to call home located in the middle of the Newport Bay which is one of the largest pleasure yachting harbors in the world.

 

 

Balboa Island is actually made up of 3 artificial islands - Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island and Collins Island. In 1916, Balboa Island became part of Newport Beach.

 

 

Balboa Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balboa Island is connected to the mainland by a two lane bridge off of Jamboree on the northeast of the island. On the opposite side of the Island, access is via the Balboa Ferry which operates three private ferries to and from the island 7 days a week providing a lovely trip on the Newport Bay for a nominal fee. The ferry carries cars, pedestrians and bicycles throughout the year. Ferry passengers are taken from Balboa Island to the Balboa Fun Zone an area with arcades, restaurants, shops, a ferris wheel, merry go round, boat rentals and other attractions.

 

 

Balboa Island Ferry

 

 

Between 1908 and 1909, waterfront lots were selling between $350 and $750, with rumors that were sold for as little as $25. A far cry from today, when even in a "down" market, the homes sell from just under $1.4 million to just under $10 million. To see a list of homes currently for sale on Balboa Island, please see Balboa Island Homes for Sale.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about homes on Balboa Island, please contact Christine at 714.319.9751.

 

 

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About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.

Are you upside down in your home? Is it worth less than you owe? Are you concerned about making your mortgage payment? For more information see Options to Foreclosures, understanding short sales or contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com to discuss your options.

If you want to buy a home or to list your property for sale, please click Newport Beach homes, Costa Mesa homes, Huntington Beach homes or Orange County homes.  Click the link if you are interested in buying a home at a courthouse auction sale.

Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to learn about her system which will make your buying and selling experience easier.

Disclaimer: All information in this blog is deemed reliable but is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed to be accurate nor are there any warantees either express or implied. This blog is not intended to offer any legal, tax or other advice.

Federal Government Disclaimer (MARS) 

  1. You may stop doing business with us at any time. You may accept or reject the offer of mortgage assistance we obtain from your lender [or servicer]. If you reject or accept the offer, you do not have to pay us.  
  2. Christine Donovan, DonovanBlatt and Donovan Group are not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender; and 
  3. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.

Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale.