Exploring the History of the Balboa Inn

Located on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, the Balboa Inn is a popular vacation destination as well as a great community resource. In addition to hosting corporate events throughout the year, the beautiful setting of the Balboa Inn also makes it a favorite for those who are looking for a lovely wedding venue.

The History of the Balboa Inn

Established in 1929, the Balboa Inn has a long and interesting history. As such, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. In its early years, the Balboa Inn was the number one hostelry on the Orange County Coast. Today, it remains a favorite getaway spot for Hollywood stars and other celebrities. Among these is Olympic athlete and Tarzan star Johnny Weissmueller. According to legend, Weissmueller swam between Balboa Pier and Newport Pier on a regular basis. The inn is also home to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Suite, which has nine-foot high doors.

Over the years, the Balboa Inn has been remodeled and modernized several times, but it still maintains the graceful Colonial Revival architecture that it originally boasted.

Nearby Attractions

In addition to being a historical building itself, the Balboa Inn is also located near to a number of historical buildings and attractions. Among these are the Balboa Pavilion, the Balboa Pier and the Balboa Fun Zone. The Balboa Island Ferry, which as established in 1919 is also located nearby.

Established in 1906, the Balboa Pavilion is one of California’s last surviving recreational pavilions. Today, the facility continues to serve the public as a marine recreational facility. It is also the oldest standing building in Newport Beach, making it one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Also constructed in 1906 as a sister project to the Balboa Pavilion, the Balboa Pier is a popular fishing spot with mackerel and flounder being the most commonly caught. The pilings is also home to a large population of starfish that enjoy feeding on the large colonies of mussels that grow there. The starfish can be easily seen during low tide an fishermen accidentally catching starfish is a common sight.

The Balboa Fun Zone, which opened in 1936, is a popular destination for the approximately 7 million people who visit Newport Beach each year with shops, restaurants, rides and other entertainment.

The Balboa Ferry has been providing transportation from Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula for nearly 100 years. The ferry docks approximately every 5 minutes as it traverses the 1,000 feet between the island and the peninsula at a speed of 4 miles per hour. Rates are $1.00 for adults, $0.50 for children between the ages of 5 and 11, and free for children under the age of 5. Cars with one driver are transported for $2.00, motorcycles with one driver for $1.50, bicycles with one adult for $1.25 and bicycles with one child for $0.75. All additional passengers are extra. The family-friendly destination offers both an ocean and harbor experience

Several restaurants and shops are also located near the Balboa Inn, as is the beach and opportunities to enjoy narrated harbor cruises and sport fishing. The Catalina Island passenger ferry dock is also located nearby, while the world-famous The Wedge is also just a short distance away. At The Wedge, surfers can enjoy dangerous and exciting surfing opportunities.