Balboa Beach — Newport Beach: Best Beaches in California

ByLisa Dworkin Hours

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.

Beach Personality: Like Being At A Magnificent Resort Beach Without The High Cost

Balboa Beach

This is one of the few beaches I’ve ever been to where the sand is literally golden! It almost seems to glow in the sunlight. Add to that the fact that there was no litter and not even any natural debris along the shoreline. I was tempted to roll in the sand with joy. Plus, the water is a bright blue-green. In my opinion, all these factors make Balboa Beach southern California’s prettiest beach.

For the most part the waves at Balboa Beach are smaller than many other southern California beaches. I say “for the most part” because that’s with the exception of the section of the beach called “The Wedge”, an area where you’ll find many surfers and body boarders. The Wedge is at the southern point of Balboa Beach where the Pacific Ocean connects with Newport Bay.

Balboa Beach also has a park adjacent to it: Peninsula Park. Peninsula Park is a small, quaint, perfectly manicured area with lots of amenities. You can picnic at the park shaded by palm trees, and even enjoy grilled food courtesy of the onsite grills. Your kids will enjoy the playground or playing lawn games—there’s a small soccer field—and couples can relax in the romantic gazebo.

Within walking distance of Balboa Beach you will find Balboa Village, a small business district. It includes a very nice mix of hotels, restaurants, stores, attractions, and residential elements.

Beach Activities:

  • Swimming
  • Paddle boarding
  • Kayaking
  • Boogie boarding
  • Body surfing
  • Skim boarding
  • Surfing
  • Pier and shore fishing
  • Volleyball
  • Lounging

Beach Amenities:

  • Public bathrooms – Yes.
  • Showers – Yes.
  • Parking – Yes, for a fee in the beach parking lots.
  • Food – Yes, on the pier and in Balboa Village.
  • Lifeguard – Yes.
  • Dogs allowed on the beach – Yes, from 4:30 PM to 10:00 AM.

Additional amenities – drinking fountains; paved oceanfront path; pier; volleyball nets; fire pits; and Peninsula Park with a large grass area, picnic tables, grills, palm trees, gazebo, playground, and a soccer field.

Beach Rentals:

Balboa Village has a variety of places that rent beach and sports equipment.

Directions:

Balboa Beach is just west of East Ocean Front in Newport Beach, California, 92661. The beach is adjacent to Newport Municipal Beach to the north. To the south the beach ends at a canal connecting the Pacific Ocean to Newport Bay.

To many joyful beach experiences!

— Lisa Dworkin

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