Balboa Island, Newport Beach, California

 

Balboa Island is an area of Newport Beach, actually comprising three modified or artificial islands in Newport Harbor: The Balboa Island community is joined to the mainland by a short two-lane bridge on the northeast of Balboa Island, and a privately-operated fleet of three, three-car ferryboats (Balboa Island Ferry) which provide access across the harbor to the Balboa Peninsula.

Balboa Island is one of the most expensive real estate markets in North America outside of Lower Manhattan.
A two-bedroom, 1,100sq.ft. house with a water view from the living room can cost $3 million or more.

Local tradition has it that Balboa Island is where the frozen chocolate banana was first marketed. Snack shops on Marine Avenue will dip a frozen banana on a stick into chocolate sauce and dredge it in ground nuts or candy sprinkles. This legend is referenced in the American television show Arrested Development in which the wealthy Bluth family of Orange County owns a frozen chocolate banana stand on Balboa Island.

 

The zip code for Balboa Island is 92662.

In 1908 and 1909, with permission of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, William Collins dredged the surrounding bay and piled the sand on the sandbar that he called Balboa Island. Collins originally sold Island lots for as little as $25, promising a bridge and ferry service later. Area fishermen were early buyers, intending to use the remote dry space to spread, dry, and repair their fishing nets. They were incensed, that for a while at least, they were required to buy a minimum of four (!) lots for an outlay of $100. Compare this to the figure quoted for a lot today. Joseph Allan Beek, a student at Pasadena City College, was enchanted with the area, and became one of Collins' salesmen. Joe Beek played a crucial role in the development of Balboa Island, and spent a lifetime devoted to it. He later served as Secretary of the California State Senate until his death in 1968.

The island grew slowly, and in 1916 it became part of the City of Newport Beach. By 1921, homes were beginning to fill in the Island and Balboa Peninsula. Roads to the Newport Harbor area were still largely undeveloped, and many arrived by rail on the peninsula and took the ferry to the island. The first bridge from the mainland to the North Bayfront was built in 1912, but was not capable of carrying automobiles until 1929, when it was refurbished.

 
Balboa Island 1921

In 1919, after complaints of inadequate service, the city of Newport Beach awarded a fifteen-year franchise to Joseph Beek to operate the ferry. First providing only pedestrian service, in 1921 vehicle transportation was begun. The operation remains in the Beek family.

In 1941 Englishman William Maxwell purchased 15 lots, an investment that he still owns today.

According to the 2000 US Census, Balboa Island is one the densest communities in Orange County. Approximately 3,000 residents live on just 0.2 square miles giving it a population density of 17,621 person per square mile--higher than that of San Francisco.Despite having one of the country's most expensive homes, most of the dwellings are on small postage-sized lots. The average and most common sized lot on Balboa Island is 2,550sq.ft.

In late 2007, "tear-downs" average between $1,800,000 and $2,100,000 for Non-Ocean view properties.

The perimeter of the island along the Bayfront is dotted with piers for the homeowners' boats. Marine Avenue and Agate Avenue form the commercial spine for the island.

Balboa Island has developed into a close-knit community, home to professionals, families, retirees, students and celebrities.