Balboa Ferry
The Balboa Ferry is a throwback to the good ole days of the Southern California coastal lifestyle. The ferry is a 5 minute ride
(much shorter than the 5 miles to drive around) across the Newport Bay that offers great views and one of the most unique
experiences available in Orange County. Built in 1919, the Balboa Ferry has operated continuously since then and operates
every day of the week. On its short trip from the peninsula to Balboa Island, the Balboa Ferry reaches land every 5 minutes,
docks approximately 22,500 times each year, and travels an astounding 3,000 plus miles annually! The Balboa Ferry has been
owned and operated by the same family for all of its nearly 100 years.
Take the ferry over to Balboa Island and enjoy the charming cape-cod style homes while you stroll around the island or visit
Marine Avenue for great shopping and restaurants or a Balboa Bar. The walk around the island is a charming 2 mile stroll with
amazing views, including the Grand Canal and the historic Balboa Inn. All of these attractions, and the low cost of the Balboa
Ferry combine for an excellent place to tour on bike or foot.
The Balboa Ferry is located at Palm Avenue on the peninsula, right next to the Fun Zone. The hours of operation are
6:30am-2:00am on Friday and Saturday, and 6:30am-Midnight Sunday to Thursday. During the summer, it runs 6am-2am every
day. The Balboa Ferry tickets cost just $2.00/car & driver, $1.50/motorcycle and rider, $1.25/bicycle and adult rider, and
$0.75/bicycle and child. Pedestrians are just $1.00/adult, $0.50/child 5-11 years old, and children under 5 are free! While this is
slightly more than the nickel that was originally charged back in 1919, the Balboa Ferry is still one of the most memorable and
inexpensive attractions to be found in Newport Beach. Contact Balboa Island Ferry for more information at 949-673-1070.
If you're interested in more information about the Balboa Ferry or Newport Beach in general, please give me a call at 714-319-9751.
For more things to do in Newport Beach, please see 365 Things to do in Newport Beach or like us on FaceBook at 365 Things to do in Newport Beach on FaceBook.
Originally published at Balboa Ferry.
***************************************************************************
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)
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
Nice post....used to take my kids across the ferry to the fun zone all the time. Great fun! was what? 25 cents to cross? less for kids? Great memories.
Karen - I still love to do this, sometimes with the hubby, sometimes with the kids, sometimes with all of us. It's just a great way to get out on the water. I do believe you're right; it seems a lot more than it used to be.
Hi Christine... there is nothing quite like a ferry ride! It sounds like a lot of fun!
AWESOME highlights about the Balboa Ferry in Orange County! We have a few ferrys here at the coast between the Outer Banks and the mainland - there is NOTHING like a ferry ride!
Christine, that sounds like a beautifully scenic and really fun way to spend the day!
This looks like a must do when in Balboa ! I haven't been there since 1968 !
My dad owned restaurants in Balboa and would give my sister and I a role of nichols which we would take to the fun zone, and ride the ferry. What a wonderful place to grow up!
Steve - And it comes with great views too.
Leesa - There really isn't. Thank you for the feature.
Diane - It's a good time and a great way to get out on the water.
Michael- It sounds like it might be time for another visit.
Sandra - That must have been a lot of fun for you. We loved to get on the ferry or go to the Fun Zone when we were kids.
Christine -- Wow, that certainly is a throwback....and owned by the same family for 100 years. What a fun wayto bypass the 5-mile trek. Bet the kids love it!
Barbara - The kids really do enjoy it. The adults too ; )