improving the island since 1918
This is the Balboa Island Improvement Association's guide to Balboa Island. This guide offers listings of accommodations, activities, activities, maps, and travel information. Hopefully, this guide shall assist our visitors in enjoying the best of what Balboa Island has to offer. Stop by and stay a while, and see why many refer to this beautiful island as "The Host of the Coast".
Balboa Island is a distinctive, quaint island community on the coast of Orange County,
California in the City of Newport Beach. The “Island” is really three man-made islands; the “Big Island” which is reached by bridge from the north, and from the south by a five-minute, three-car ferry ride from the town of Balboa on the peninsula. Once on the Big island, you reach the “Little Island” to the east by bridge over the Grand Canal, and the tiny, private Collins island is on the other end of the Big Island to the west. Balboa Island is the easternmost island in Newport Harbor and the first of the six islands reached after entering the Harbor by boat from the sea. By land, the Island bridge is at the southern end of Jamboree Road which crosses the two freeways in Orange County, the 5, 405, the 73 toll road and Coast Highway 1.
The perimeter of the Big Island is 1.71 miles and the Little Island and its connecting bridge adds another .84 miles, encompassed by a popular 2.5 mile long concrete boardwalk around both islands separating multi-million dollar bay front homes from the beaches and bay.
Balboa Island is the “Jewel” of Newport Beach with all it but its three main thoroughfares named for gem stones. There's no better place to call home, according to residents, who use words like "heaven," "sanctuary" and "paradise" to describe the Islands’ seaside serenity. The Island's main street, Marine Avenue, is just two-blocks of tree-lined shopping district with almost 100 businesses including clothing and gift 
shops, ice cream parlors, restaurants, art galleries and a market. The Islands smaller shopping area is on Agate Avenue by the Ferry with over 20 businesses including a restaurant, grill, laundromat, market and other shops and services. The individual businesses are described in detail on other pages of this website.
The Islands’ 28 acres are divided into the Big Island’s 1,186 lots, the Little Island’s 231 more and Collins Island with just 8 lots. Most lots are just 30 feet wide and 85 feet deep with 3-foot side yards and alleys behind. About half the lots contain two family dwellings resulting in well over 2,000 dwelling units on the two islands and just 8 homes on private Collins Island.
To get a good look at us, search for Balboa island on Google Earth and click on the many view photo spots.
History of Balboa Island - Come see what made this historic island great.
In 1918 the Balboa Island Improvement Association was started (and is still going strong). The BIIA was a strong motivating force in working with the City on bulkhead repair, ferry service, a sewer system, water, gas, electricity, paved streets and sidewalks, and street lighting.
Balboa Island is a distinctive community in the middle of Orange County's
Newport Harbor offering coastal living with a neighborly vibe. A narrow waterway called the Grand Canal divides the community into the main island and Little Balboa Island. Together they have 1,450 expensive and in-demand homes.
There's no better place to call home, according to residents, who use words like "heaven," "sanctuary" and "paradise" to describe the island's seaside serenity. The island's main drag, Marine Avenue, is lined with gift shops, ice cream parlors and art galleries and serves as the town square.
Balboa Island is small. The larger island is 1¾ miles in circumference. Little Balboa Island is just ¾ mile around. Everything is within walking distance.
But Balboa Island is not for everyone. People who prize spacious lots and privacy should probably look elsewhere.