Entire home

Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C

Photo gallery for Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C

TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets
Interior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Terrace/patio

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Balboa Island, CA
  • Fashion Island
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Balboa Pier
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Newport Pier
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Newport Beach

With a stay at this vacation home in Newport Beach (Balboa Island), you'll be a 3-minute drive from Fashion Island and 7 minutes from Pelican Hill Golf Course. .This vacation home is 6.1 mi (9.7 km) from University of California, Irvine and 8.4 mi (13.5 km) from Huntington Beach Pier.

What's nearby

  • Fashion Island - 3 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Balboa Pier - 5 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Newport Pier - 8 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Balboa Beach - 8 min drive - 1.3 km
  • Corona del Mar State Beach - 12 min drive - 4.7 km

Getting around

  • Laguna Niguel Station - 21 min drive
  • John Wayne Airport (SNA) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cabo Cantina - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Sugar n Spice Original Frozen Banana - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Newport Landing Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dad's Donut & Bakery Shop - ‬9 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C

Welcome to the Balboa Lodge, where we swap skis for flip flops and snow for sand!

This vacation home is truly one of a kind. The main house behind one of Balboa's historical cottages, the lodge was designed to bring all the coziness of a mountain cabin to the coast. We are just minutes by foot from the Balboa Ferry, Fun Zone, and Peninsula beaches.

With vaulted ceilings and open living spaces, this is the perfect spot to unwind with family and friends after a long day exploring Newport Beach!

The Space:

Enter into the foyer, where you can immediately access the ground floor bedroom with brand new King size bed and ensuite bathroom. This room is an excellent option for guests who have trouble climbing stairs!

Follow the wood cabin staircase up to our open plan living room, furnished with couches and comfy chairs, and decorated with vintage beach memorabilia. The HDTV is equipped with cable and several streaming options for all your media needs. Enjoy the brick-inlaid fireplace for the colder months. Step out onto the deck to catch some sunshine and use the charcoal grill!

The newly remodeled kitchen is fully equipped with anything you might need for preparing meals, including new appliances, multiple coffee-making utensils, and a dining table with bench seating.

Passing the powder room/half bath down the hall, you'll find our master bedroom with a brand new king size bed and full ensuite bathroom. Just across the hall is the third bedroom with two twin beds and a TV.

Finally, heading outside past the front door and the outdoor beach shower toward the alleyway, you'll find the garage with parking for 1 car (clearance ~6'6", shared with front unit) and new washer and dryer. The garage can also be accessed through the foyer, and contains a variety of beach chairs and toys which guests are free to use - please just make sure to return them!


Activities and Attractions:

Balboa Island is not only a great vacation destination itself but also an excellent base for Southern California's many other attractions and theme parks!

Our property is located just a few doors down from the beautiful Balboa Bay, boardwalk, and the Balboa Ferry that gives access to the Funz Zone, Peninsula beaches and Pacific Ocean. The ferry is a lovely 5 minute ride directly to the Fun Zone (with arcades, rides, and snacks), the Balboa Pier, shopping and restaurants, boating and fishing excursions (including transport to nearby Catalina Island), and bike/water sport rentals.

Agate is the only street on the island with a children's climbing gym and basketball court. On the island itself, Marine Avenue boasts fine restaurants and boutique shops which are only 2 miles away from even more fine dining, shopping, and movie theaters at Newport's famous outdoor mall, Fashion Island.

For those interested in seeing more of the Orange County coastline, Laguna Beach lies 7 miles further down the Pacific Coast Highway. Originally an artist's colony, Laguna hosts the Pageant of the Masters and Sawdust Festival in the summer, art galleries, and fine dining and shopping along with wonderful beaches with tide pools.

Balboa Lodge is ~35 minutes from Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and an hour or so from Universal Studios, Hollywood, San Diego Zoo and Sea World. The Santa Ana/Orange County (SNA) Airport is only 10 minutes away and the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 45 minutes away.

Management:
Our managers Mitch and Neil, are available 24/7 to assist guests with any questions/needs
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace. There's a private patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Conveniences include a phone, as well as a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
This smoke-free vacation home features a stereo, books, and snorkeling nearby. Recreational activities include surfing/body boarding nearby, hiking/biking trails nearby, and kayaking nearby.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Mitch

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Limited on-site parking (max 1 space)
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Stereo
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 30

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number SLP10386

Property is also known as

Character Comfort 1.5 Blocks From Ferry to Peninsula
Carácter y Confort 1. 5 Cuadras de Ferry a la Península

Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 47 out of 51 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 51 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 51 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 51 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 51 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Balboa Vacay

Great location
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Charming House

Great stay in a charming house on Balboa Island! Good value for the location and close to the ferry. Parking in the area is challenging on busy weekend and my big truck didn't fit in the garage. Loved our time on the island.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M., Lufkin Texas

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful Vacation

Our family of 6 loved our stay at the cottage. It was a perfect blend of comfort and charm. The house was in a wonderful location within walking distance of so many fun things to do. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place for family to gather.

Well equipped. Very comfortable beds. A charming Balboa Island cottage.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael J H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice place for small group

Everything was as advertised. Be aware the garage is for small cars only so we had to park on street which can be a little stressful. Everything was nice and we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzy T., Ojai, CA

Liked: Cleanliness

a little getaway

We had a wonderful time. The house had everything we needed with a great location. We will be back. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great home and location

Home is as advertised and convenient to everything. Well stocked with supplies too.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful stay, great location

House looks just like photos. Kitchen well stocked. Fun location.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Stay

Easy walking, lovely neighborhood and perfect place for a large group.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent excellent excellent!

Excellent location! Excellent hostess! Excellent living space! The only thing we didn’t quite prepare for was that we went on the weekend of the Christmas boat parade. So the traffic to get in and off the island as well as the streets for parking were jam packed. And we took our truck which we couldn’t quite fit in the garage. Those are things we would consider the next time we visit Balboa Island. I hope that this home would be available again the next time we visit because it is truly a gem!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Blake M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful Property and Location

Clean, historic and a great place to relax and exactly where I wanted to be. It is kept up perfectly and the owners are friendly and wonderful. I'd totally stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicole D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely and Charming

Very enjoyable. Loved the charm of being in a classic Balboa Island Home. Only visited for a weekend, but will have good memories of staying here. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mollie B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family overflow space for Thanksgiving week

My adult children and I stayed in this very comfortable Balboa Island cottage. My mother lives nearby and there was not enough room for us so we decided to take advantage of the family favorite location. The walking loop is so fun and the decorations never disappoint. Of course we had to have our Balboa Bar too. All in all a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Quick Weekend

This was a great house. Lots of space and some quirky charm. The beds are huge and so comfortable. Location is great also.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy E., Arvada, Colorado

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful property

We really enjoyed our stay at this house. Everything was so clean and organized. The living room was really bright and sunny, and everything in the kitchen was so organized and updated.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hans W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Balboa Island Vacation

No concerns - great property and location
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Classic Balboa Beach House

Not fancy but so homey and comfortable. We loved it. Best deal on the island! Very well stocked and had all the modern conveniences. Thanks for having us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very rustic but charming house..well supplied and great location..wife and kids loved our 3 day stay..my only complaint was no TV in the downstairs master bedroom..
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Grant H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Quiet and clean.

Great week in SoCal
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Whimsical cottage in a magical place

Our family had such a wonderful stay at this whimsical cottage in Balboa Island. We were impressed with how spacious it was, and the cleanliness and up to date bathrooms, bedding, and kitchen. The wood walls of the “lodge” reminded me of a cabin I used to stay in with my grandparents as a kid, and we found it incredibly homey and comfortable. It was especially great with kids, as they had fun in the small twin bed room while their visiting Uncle had the space to himself downstairs. We all walked down to the playground one day followed by bagels at the pier before taking a ferry ride. Perfect location. So many great memories visiting relatives in the area and we will hope to stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Place to Enjoy the Beach

The property we stayed in was clean, well stocked, and we had a great time. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to stay on Balboa Island for a week or longer. It is an older place, but well kept and very comfortable. It is also close enough to everything that walking is an option to most places you would want to go on the island or peninsula. The hosts are very responsive to any questions or concerns you might have as well.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lorrie H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family friendly

Clean, good location, garage. Air conditioning.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris C., United States

Liked: Cleanliness

Not Modern- but very enjoyable stay

This is not an updated place, but everything is well done, furniture is good quality and kitchen is well stocked. No complaints. And, got to say the Air Conditioning during this time of year is a huge plus!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Barbara G.

Family Get Together

We had a very enjoyable stay on Balboa Island. The property was pretty much as shown in the pictures. The upstairs was pretty dated but my daughter and her family were upstairs and said the beds were very comfortable. My husband and I stayed in the downstairs bedroom and that was also very comfortable. It was a short walk to any place on the island including the ferry and the fun zone. My only real disappointment would be that there was no coffee maker. The description of the kitchen included that there were ways to make coffee, but the French press was cracked and there was one other thing I couldn’t describe and had never seen before and there was a pour over which was a very tiny pot. Luckily there were coffee shops within walking distance so after doing the pour over a couple of mornings (someone had left a few filters) we started getting up earlier to go to the shop down the street. All in all, it was a great place and location for our mini vacation with our daughter and her family.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022