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 has several activities and events throughout the season and this year is no exception. Visit the Event Directory. This list shows some of the events taking place this year ; more will be added as they are announced and full details will be published as soon as they become available. It is advisable to check local papers and tourist offices to ensure you don't miss any of the local events off-Island as well!
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.
Ongoing Activities by various BIIA committees:
Maintenance of: Street-end flower pots; Doggie Bag dispensers; flag pole, information sign and gardens near Main Bridge entrance; flags and potted flowers on Main Bridge plants & flowers at Fire Stateion, Post Office and Little Island Bridge entrance; holiday light display at south end of Marine Ave; advertising bulletin boards at Dad's Donuts & Coldwell Banker; distribution by members of the BIIA newsletter; ISLAND BRIDGE, greeting new residents of the island; awarding garden-of-the-month, and pot-of-the-month.
10-Jan 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
17-Jan 2013 |
General Membership | 7:00 PM | Conference Facility at Beek Park |
21-Feb 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
14-Mar 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
18-Apr 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
25-Apr 2013 |
General Membership | 7:00 PM | Conference Facility at Beek Park |
16-May 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
| 19-May 2013 | Balboa Island Art Walk | 9-5 am |
This year's event will feature over 90 artists The Balboa Island Artwalk is the premier showcase for talented local artists and marks the start of the Island's summer season. Celebrating its sixteenth anniversary, the Artwalk will take place on Sunday, May 20th, from 9am to 5pm along the South Bayfront Promenade of Balboa Island. Admission is free. Details Here |
| 02-June 2013 | Balboa Island Parade | 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM | The Annual Balboa Island Parade has been Previous Year's Highlights Here |
13-June 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
| 22-June 2013 | Pancake Breakfast (Awards) | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Come and enjoy a tradition of syrup, Last Year's Highlights Here |
18-July 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
| 29 - July to Aug 3 2013 | Just Plein Fun | Sunrise - Sunset | "The Debra Huse Gallery is proud to present 2nd Place.jpg) the seventh annual
Just Plein Fun. Thirteen award-winning artists will paint
scenes on beautiful Balboa Island, California from July 30th - Aug 4th while the public watches. This unique plein air
invitational is a must-see and fun for the whole family! |
| 3 Aug 2013 | Brush Off Contest | 4:00 - 6:00 PM | On August 4th, there will be a "Brush Off" on Marine Avenue from 4-6 pm. Watch as the artists compete to capture the Island charm and enjoy live music while the artists paint. The show will open at 6:30 that evening with an artist reception and awards presentation at the Debra Huse Gallery. |
| 3 Aug 2013 | Sandcastle Contest | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Join our budding sculptures in a contest of sand and salt out on the beach for the annual Sandcastle building contest. |
15-Aug 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
| 24 Aug 2013 | Pancake Breakfast | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Come and enjoy a tradition of syrup, Last Year's Highlights Here |
| 7- Sept 2013 | Island Dinner | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Island Dinner - Taste of Balboa Island. Click Here for Highlights of last year |
12-Sep 2013 |
General Membership | 7:00 PM | Conference Facility at Beek Park |
10-Oct 2013 |
Board Meeting | 7:00 PM | Location TBA |
14-Nov 2013 |
Annual Membership Meeting (Elections) | 7:00 PM | Conference Facility at Beek Park |
| 16-Nov 2013 | All-Island Decoratinig | 8:00 AM | Join our Retailer and Residents alike in bring in the Christmas Cheer by Decking the Halls! Light judging is on Dec 14 & 15 |
| 27-Nov 2013 | Christmas Tree Decorating | 3:30 PM | Xmas Tree Deocrating; Need Volunteers to Decorate |
| 1 - Dec 2013 | Holiday Event | 4:00-6:00 PM | Sunday, December 2, 2013 See (Last Year's Highlights) Photos by Bill Stewart of Bill Stewart Realty |
| 13 - 15 Dec 2013 | Balboa Island Home Decoration Contest Judging | Evening Hours | This is it, the chance to let your Xmas Spirit be recognized! |
| 8 - Dec 2013 | Holiday Home Tour | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | A day that features eight of Balboa Island's beautiful Tickets are $25.00 and available at the following stores: Even Sisters, Island Home, Martha’s Bookstore, Persimmon Tree, and The Gift Box. |
| 4 - Jan 2013 | Take Down Holiday Decorations | 8:00 AM | Remove Holiday Decorations |
| Anytime | Adopt A Pot We love to keep Balboa Island Beautiful and we want a "walk around the Island to be an enjoyable experience for all!" A great way to help and be a part of it is is to "Adopt-A-Pot". If you are interested, just give me a call! Betty Christy (714) 315-9808. |
| Anytime | Garden of the Month See our bi-monthly Newsletter for photos and descriptions of the Island's Gardens of the month. We have visitors from as far as Europe who come regularly to tour our Island and view our beautiful gardens. |
| Anytime | Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society 329 1/2 Marine Ave. Balboa Island, CA |
Wednesday, 11 am - 12 Noon |
Wednesday, 11 am - 12 Noon Click here for more info. |
exhibiting original oil paintings, acrylics, watercolors, glass, ceramic, sculpture, jewelry and photography along the South Bayfront of Balboa Island. 
a twenty year tradition.New this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Parade will be an ‘After Parade Party’! There will be music and activities in the 100 block of Marine following the Parade. An Island tradition filled with Children on Bikes, Island Dogs, Decorated Golf Carts and Floats, Vintage Cars, Keystone Cops, Drill Teams, Marching Bands, Local Dignitaries and much more! It’s the Island Way of Welcoming Summer to ALL ! So come on down to Marine Avenue and join us for a special day with Family, Friends, and Fun Our bridge closes at 10:00 am , so get here early
homes, interior designs, and holiday decor. 11am to 4pm. Refreshments in some stores will be available and remember to check out Marine Avenue for your Holiday shopping.