A one-of-a-kind, man-made treasure, Balboa Island is a gem whether you drive, walk, bike or take the Balboa Island Ferry to the island. There are plenty of things to do on Balboa Island. Marine Avenue is home to chic coastal shops featuring unique nautical designs, stylish beach fashions, art and jewelry. It’s also home to quaint Balboa Island restaurants and bistros serving up a variety of dishes bursting with flavor. The selections on Balboa Island go beyond the local fresh seafood of the day with flavors of Italian, Mexican, and French-Swiss mixed into the culinary choices.

There may be nothing more iconic than Balboa Island’s two famous desserts, the Balboa Bar and Frozen Banana. The local sweet tooth treasures have been mainstays for nearly 75 years, and have been imitated and replicated, including on the hit TV show “Arrested Development.” The tasty treats are dipped in chocolate and covered with a variety of coatings from nuts and sprinkles to cookie crumbs. Whatever your flavor, find it on Balboa Island in Newport Beach.

The typically gentle waves as Big Corona (Corona del Mar State Beach) make the destination great for swimming, with volleyball courts and fire pits adding to the fun. The crystal-clear water at Little Corona is great for snorkeling, as well as spotting sea urchins and anemones in the tidepools.

The Wedge Newport Beach is a hot spot for powerful and awesome surf. An area known for its shore-breaking waves, the Wedge is more a place to admire than to engage. Either way, this spot with the biggest swell in Southern California is a must see when you visit Newport Beach.

Newport Pier offers fine, soft sand with plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy yourself. Surfers, swimmers and sunbathers all bask in the warmth of beautiful Southern California winter and summer days. Pelicans and seagulls also enjoy Southern California’s year round Mediterranean climate, especially at Newport Beach Pier.

Near the base of the Newport Pier is the Dory Fishing Fleet, founded in 1891. The Newport Beach Pier, located at Balboa Peninsula, offers stunning views to the north toward Huntington Beach, and looking south, you can see another structure, the Balboa Pier. This five-mile stretch of beach boasts a bevy of activities. Swimmers and sunbathers flock to the beach in summer and winter, capping off their day in the sun with a night of casual or fine dining. Skate, bike and board rentals are popular, and surfing off the jetty is prime. The vibe at the Balboa Peninsula is youthful and fun.