1 hr by car, 5 min ferry
Visitors here at Balboa Island in Newport Beach can visit the small yet cute island by driving via Marine Avenue or by parking their car on the Balboa Peninsula and take the Balboa Island Ferry for a quick and scenic five-minute trip across the water. Here, you will find the islands famed frozen banana treat. Choose from rivals Sugar N Spice or Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop; they seem to be the originators of the chocolate-covered frozen treat.
Here, you will also find great restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries and Balboa Island Museum. There are plenty of things you can do out on the water like kayaking, parasailing, paddle boarding and more. If you have kids, then go for the Balboa Fun Zone on the peninsula, which hosts small rides and plenty of arcade games.