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Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C

Photo gallery for Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C

Room
Marina
Aerial view
Room
Bathroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Balboa Island, CA
  • Fashion Island
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Balboa Pier
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Newport Pier
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Downstairs Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Master Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Outdoor shower

Shower only

Powder room

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C

Welcome to the Balboa Lodge, where we swap skis for flip flops and snow for sand!

This vacation home is truly one of a kind. The main house behind one of Balboa's historical cottages, the lodge was designed to bring all the coziness of a mountain cabin to the coast. We are just minutes by foot from the Balboa Ferry, Fun Zone, and Peninsula beaches.

With vaulted ceilings and open living spaces, this is the perfect spot to unwind with family and friends after a long day exploring Newport Beach!

The Space:

Enter into the foyer, where you can immediately access the ground floor bedroom with brand new King size bed and ensuite bathroom. This room is an excellent option for guests who have trouble climbing stairs!

Follow the wood cabin staircase up to our open plan living room, furnished with couches and comfy chairs, and decorated with vintage beach memorabilia. The HDTV is equipped with cable and several streaming options for all your media needs. Enjoy the brick-inlaid fireplace for the colder months. Step out onto the deck to catch some sunshine and use the charcoal grill!

The newly remodeled kitchen is fully equipped with anything you might need for preparing meals, including new appliances, multiple coffee-making utensils, and a dining table with bench seating.

Passing the powder room/half bath down the hall, you'll find our master bedroom with a brand new king size bed and full ensuite bathroom. Just across the hall is the third bedroom with two twin beds and a TV.

Finally, heading outside past the front door and the outdoor beach shower toward the alleyway, you'll find the garage with parking for 1 car (clearance ~6'6", shared with front unit) and new washer and dryer. The garage can also be accessed through the foyer, and contains a variety of beach chairs and toys which guests are free to use - please just make sure to return them!


Activities and Attractions:

Balboa Island is not only a great vacation destination itself but also an excellent base for Southern California's many other attractions and theme parks!

Our property is located just a few doors down from the beautiful Balboa Bay, boardwalk, and the Balboa Ferry that gives access to the Funz Zone, Peninsula beaches and Pacific Ocean. The ferry is a lovely 5 minute ride directly to the Fun Zone (with arcades, rides, and snacks), the Balboa Pier, shopping and restaurants, boating and fishing excursions (including transport to nearby Catalina Island), and bike/water sport rentals.

Agate is the only street on the island with a children's climbing gym and basketball court. On the island itself, Marine Avenue boasts fine restaurants and boutique shops which are only 2 miles away from even more fine dining, shopping, and movie theaters at Newport's famous outdoor mall, Fashion Island.

For those interested in seeing more of the Orange County coastline, Laguna Beach lies 7 miles further down the Pacific Coast Highway. Originally an artist's colony, Laguna hosts the Pageant of the Masters and Sawdust Festival in the summer, art galleries, and fine dining and shopping along with wonderful beaches with tide pools.

Balboa Lodge is ~35 minutes from Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and an hour or so from Universal Studios, Hollywood, San Diego Zoo and Sea World. The Santa Ana/Orange County (SNA) Airport is only 10 minutes away and the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 45 minutes away.

Management:
Our managers Mitch and Neil, are available 24/7 to assist guests with any questions/needs

Property manager

Mitch
Premier Host

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number SLP10386

About the area

Newport Beach

Located in Balboa Island, a neighbourhood in Newport Beach, this holiday home is near theme parks. Newport Pier and Pelican Hill Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Fashion Island and Irvine Spectrum Center. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Bren Events Center or Festival Amphitheatre. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Balboa Island, CA

What's nearby

  • Fashion Island - 3 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Balboa Pier - 5 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Newport Pier - 8 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Balboa Beach - 8 min drive - 1.3 km
  • Newport Dune - 9 min drive - 2.0 km

Getting around

  • Laguna Niguel Station - 21 min drive
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cabo Cantina - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Sugar n Spice Original Frozen Banana - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Newport Landing Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dad's Donut & Bakery Shop - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C located?

Located in Balboa Island, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, Balboa Fun Zone and Balboa Pavilion. Balboa Peninsula Beaches and Balboa Pier are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 47 out of 51 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 51 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 51 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 51 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 51 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Balboa Vacay

Great location
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming House

Great stay in a charming house on Balboa Island! Good value for the location and close to the ferry. Parking in the area is challenging on busy weekend and my big truck didn't fit in the garage. Loved our time on the island.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Vacation

Our family of 6 loved our stay at the cottage. It was a perfect blend of comfort and charm. The house was in a wonderful location within walking distance of so many fun things to do. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place for family to gather.

Well equipped. Very comfortable beds. A charming Balboa Island cottage.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael J H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place for small group

Everything was as advertised. Be aware the garage is for small cars only so we had to park on street which can be a little stressful. Everything was nice and we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzy T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

a little getaway

We had a wonderful time. The house had everything we needed with a great location. We will be back. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great home and location

Home is as advertised and convenient to everything. Well stocked with supplies too.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay, great location

House looks just like photos. Kitchen well stocked. Fun location.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

Easy walking, lovely neighborhood and perfect place for a large group.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent excellent excellent!

Excellent location! Excellent hostess! Excellent living space! The only thing we didn’t quite prepare for was that we went on the weekend of the Christmas boat parade. So the traffic to get in and off the island as well as the streets for parking were jam packed. And we took our truck which we couldn’t quite fit in the garage. Those are things we would consider the next time we visit Balboa Island. I hope that this home would be available again the next time we visit because it is truly a gem!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Blake M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Property and Location

Clean, historic and a great place to relax and exactly where I wanted to be. It is kept up perfectly and the owners are friendly and wonderful. I'd totally stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicole D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely and Charming

Very enjoyable. Loved the charm of being in a classic Balboa Island Home. Only visited for a weekend, but will have good memories of staying here. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mollie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family overflow space for Thanksgiving week

My adult children and I stayed in this very comfortable Balboa Island cottage. My mother lives nearby and there was not enough room for us so we decided to take advantage of the family favorite location. The walking loop is so fun and the decorations never disappoint. Of course we had to have our Balboa Bar too. All in all a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick Weekend

This was a great house. Lots of space and some quirky charm. The beds are huge and so comfortable. Location is great also.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy E., Arvada, Colorado

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful property

We really enjoyed our stay at this house. Everything was so clean and organized. The living room was really bright and sunny, and everything in the kitchen was so organized and updated.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hans W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Balboa Island Vacation

No concerns - great property and location
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Classic Balboa Beach House

Not fancy but so homey and comfortable. We loved it. Best deal on the island! Very well stocked and had all the modern conveniences. Thanks for having us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Very rustic but charming house..well supplied and great location..wife and kids loved our 3 day stay..my only complaint was no TV in the downstairs master bedroom..
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Grant H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and clean.

Great week in SoCal
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Whimsical cottage in a magical place

Our family had such a wonderful stay at this whimsical cottage in Balboa Island. We were impressed with how spacious it was, and the cleanliness and up to date bathrooms, bedding, and kitchen. The wood walls of the “lodge” reminded me of a cabin I used to stay in with my grandparents as a kid, and we found it incredibly homey and comfortable. It was especially great with kids, as they had fun in the small twin bed room while their visiting Uncle had the space to himself downstairs. We all walked down to the playground one day followed by bagels at the pier before taking a ferry ride. Perfect location. So many great memories visiting relatives in the area and we will hope to stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place to Enjoy the Beach

The property we stayed in was clean, well stocked, and we had a great time. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to stay on Balboa Island for a week or longer. It is an older place, but well kept and very comfortable. It is also close enough to everything that walking is an option to most places you would want to go on the island or peninsula. The hosts are very responsive to any questions or concerns you might have as well.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lorrie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family friendly

Clean, good location, garage. Air conditioning.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris C., United States

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Not Modern- but very enjoyable stay

This is not an updated place, but everything is well done, furniture is good quality and kitchen is well stocked. No complaints. And, got to say the Air Conditioning during this time of year is a huge plus!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Barbara G.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Get Together

We had a very enjoyable stay on Balboa Island. The property was pretty much as shown in the pictures. The upstairs was pretty dated but my daughter and her family were upstairs and said the beds were very comfortable. My husband and I stayed in the downstairs bedroom and that was also very comfortable. It was a short walk to any place on the island including the ferry and the fun zone. My only real disappointment would be that there was no coffee maker. The description of the kitchen included that there were ways to make coffee, but the French press was cracked and there was one other thing I couldn’t describe and had never seen before and there was a pour over which was a very tiny pot. Luckily there were coffee shops within walking distance so after doing the pour over a couple of mornings (someone had left a few filters) we started getting up earlier to go to the shop down the street. All in all, it was a great place and location for our mini vacation with our daughter and her family.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Mitch

Host profile image
Our grandparents bought this beach house on Balboa Island in 1951 and we have great memories of playing at the beach, body surfing at the ocean, going to the fun zone, eating frozen bananas, and endless hours of barefoot play time around the island. Today, Sally Landis is an artist in Oakland CA, and Bettie Sue Walters works at Deetjen's Big Sur Inn and lives in Aptos CA. We still get to Balboa Island as often as we can, but welcome others to enjoy our beach house when they can!

Why they chose this property

This unit was built behind the historic little yellow beach house with the idea to retain the island character, yet build with modern amenities. It has been decorated with family antiques and beach memorabilia. You'll feel like part of the island's history, yet have the comforts of a modern home. Put your feet up and relax, you're on Balboa Island now!

What makes this property unique

Just 5 houses from the calm sandy beaches and 2 blocks to the ferry, this house is perfectly situated to a relaxing vacation. Park your car in the garage, then walk to the ocean, the fun zone, and the main street with it's wonderful restaurants. You may want to walk to the 'Catalina Flyer' and spend the day in Catalina. Or take the short drive to the beaches of Laguna and Corona Del Mar. Maybe a 30 minute drive to Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farm.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests