Entire home

Just like staying at friend's designer beach home!

Photo gallery for Just like staying at friend's designer beach home!

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
3 bedrooms, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board
Smart TV, DVD player, books, music library
Smart TV, DVD player, books, music library
Terrace/patio

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6158 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Newport Beach, CA
  • Fashion Island
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Balboa Pier
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Corona del Mar State Beach
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    ‪22 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 6 minutes from Pelican Hill Golf Course. .This beach vacation home is 12.1 mi (19.5 km) from Irvine Spectrum Center and 4 mi (6.5 km) from University of California, Irvine.

What's nearby

  • Newport Beach Country Club - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Fashion Island - 3 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Balboa Pier - 6 min drive - 1.7 km
  • Newport Pier - 8 min drive - 7.0 km
  • Corona del Mar State Beach - 12 min drive - 4.0 km

Getting around

  • Orange Station - 20 min drive
  • John Wayne Airport (SNA) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cabo Cantina - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sugar n Spice Original Frozen Banana - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Newport Landing Restaurant - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Dad's Donut & Bakery Shop - ‬3 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.

Just like staying at friend's designer beach home!

Enjoy our cottage by the sea! This lovely home has been completely renovated to its charming 1920s roots but updated to include all modern conveniences. From the hardwood floors to the black and white checked tile baths, you will feel like stepping back in time while enjoying a clean, charming Cape Cod/Nantucket-style retreat.

This is a wonderful place to entertain family and friends, enjoy downtime while away on business, or curl up with a book in one of the many nooks and take advantage of some private time.

We have three bedrooms (A king bedroom, a queen bedroom, and another with a double and a twin) and three bathrooms split into three powder rooms with a sink and toilet, then three showers private to each bedroom (one with a small bathtub).

You can gather or relax with plenty of places to spread out (bedrooms, living room, dining room, breakfast room, television room, patio). The patio area is spacious, sunny, inviting, and private.

We provide numerous amenities to make your stay as relaxing as possible.
-High-speed Internet access.
-A spacious living room for relaxing, gathering, and entertaining.
- A separate den with a smart TV with DirecTV and streaming services.
-All three bedrooms each have a private shower.
-Both the master suite and the living room have stereo systems for enjoying music.
-Our dedicated laundry room has a full-size washer and gas dryer.
-The water heater is a top-of-the-line tankless unit that allows several showers to run simultaneously.

We are foodies, so our fully equipped kitchen has gourmet amenities, including:
- Viking gas range,
- Microwave,
- Dishwasher,
- Refrigerator and automatic icemaker with water and ice in the door,
- Keurig coffee maker with drip or pods,
- Vitamix blender,
- Cuisinart food processor,
- Viking toaster,
- professional cookware,
- plenty of dishes, serving items and barware for all occasions!

- Our private, sunny, spacious patio has a table, six chairs under a market umbrella, and a propane Blackstone griddle.

- Our private driveway provides up to three parking spots, so you'll never have to worry about finding street parking.

We are two doors down from a sandy bay beach (not all Balboa Island bayfronts have a beach) and just three short blocks from the main street, Marine Avenue, where you will find restaurants, gourmet coffee, pastry stores, iconic frozen banana shops, legendary donuts, shopping boutiques, and groceries.

A short walk to the other side of the island puts you on the historic ferry running over to the Balboa Peninsula, where you will find more restaurants, the 'Fun Zone' of arcades and rides, the oceanfront, and piers.

Balboa Island is an ideal location for vacationing or staying while on business. It is conveniently located but feels far away from the ordinary. Once over the short bridge, you need never get in the car again. Restaurants and groceries are steps away. Much of the charm comes from strolling along the bayfront sidewalk along Balboa Island's perimeter, which is also ideally suited for those who like a more vigorous walk or jog.

Within walking distance, you can rent a boat, take a harbor tour, walk along the surf, take the boat/flyer to Catalina Island for the day, scuba dive, deep sea fish, surf, windsurf, bike along paths, grocery shop, swim, kayak, pier fish, choose from a variety of restaurants, snorkel, sail, Jet Ski, body surf and more.

Southern California offers many different activities within a day-trip visit. Theme parks are plentiful (Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Lego Land, and several water parks), as are many other wonderful activities, including some of the best golf courses in Southern California located only a short drive away. If you have exhausted the many boutiques on Balboa Island, then Newport Center/Fashion Island is a five-minute drive (stores, restaurants, movie theaters), and the world-famous South Coast Plaza is just a 15-minute drive. Popular beach destinations are within 20 minutes North and South, including Huntington Beach (Surf City) and Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente.

There are also plenty of hikes (such as Crystal Cove State Park), parks and nature experiences. World-class plays and art are 15 minutes drive at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Make yourself comfortable in this vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private balcony or patio. A Smart television and a DVD player are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Conveniences include a safe and a desk.
This smoke-free vacation home features wheelchair access, a stereo, and snorkeling nearby. Amenities and recreational activities include books, games, and surfing/body boarding nearby.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Julie

Languages

English, German

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Street parking available
  • Car not required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • Up to 9 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Cobblestone flooring in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • In-room accessibility
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Basketball nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours 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)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Unit size: 1,700 square feet

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

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 allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 20 lbs per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

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
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 SLP10895

We should mention

A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Just Like Staying Friend's Designer Beach Home Newport Beach
Just Like Staying Friend's Designer Beach Home
Just Like Staying Friend's si
Just Like Staying at Friend's Designer Beach Home! Newport Beach

Just like staying at friend's designer beach home! Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sally M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Our third stay at this charming house

Excellent location, historic charm, everything we need is provided, and it’s on-property parking for 2 cars makes us return again and again!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carol S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Such a charming home!!

Can't say enough good things about this property. The cottage is charming with plenty of space. The kitchen was well stocked. Absolutely loved the parking on site, especially on busy evenings! Fabulous property manager, too. We will certainly be back soon!!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great stay!

Terrific house; just as advertised. Great location and was perfect for our needs. So close to the beach / bayfront and just a short walk to the main street. We will be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurel K.

Liked: Cleanliness

A wonderful week at this vintage home!

All the other reviewers spoke the truth! This little house is such a gem. We enjoyed a weeklong stay during my daughter’s graduation from Chapman University. My in-laws flew in and my both of my adult daughters stayed with us as well. Plenty of room for everybody and everything was thought of that we might need. Keep in mind this is a vintage house not a modern mansion. It has a few quirks, especially with the bathroom arrangements, but it all worked out for us.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely home on Balboa Island

My family enjoyed our stay at this home. The location is great, and the house has a lot of charm. The driveway is a great feature—no street parking or tight turns into a garage located in a narrow alley like a lot of houses in the area.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andy M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome!

Great location. Close to bay beach. Close to Marine shops, restaurants and grocery store. All the amenities including RO system for filtered drinking water. No adjoining units. Very comfortable. Slept great. The owner was available and nice. I will stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sally M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Our second stay at this property

Charming, convenient to beach and amenities, on-property parking, and a friendly and communicative owner. Thank you again, Julie!
Stayed 9 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary Y.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beach-close Newport Bay

This is a lovely cottage with lots of character and cute decor. Very comfortable, plenty of bathrooms, and a few steps from the beach. We truly enjoyed our stay, and Julie was very kind and helpful when we had a flight cancellation and arrival delay.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Denise S.

Cozy & Charming

Ten day stay with 2 of my siblings & our spouses. A daughter & 2 grandchildren plus dog. Perfect for everyone. Well stocked kitchen, great location, comfy beds. Highly recommend. Plus owner was very accommodating & personally came to batten down become Hilary hit.
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane J., Scottsdale

Liked: Cleanliness

Balboa Magic

Loved every minute of our stay in this very quaint, extremely charming home! We had a lot of space and it was great having our own bedrooms. The patio was amazing… secluded, lovely, roomy, and peaceful! In addition, it was truly a plus to be able to park in our very own driveway and not have to battle alleys and street parking. Exploring Balboa Island, the bay, walking to the store, riding the ferry was so easy and convenient from this location. It was a super experience! We’ll be sure to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

monica h.

Quirky and cozy

We are locals who stayed in this property in between living in a long-term rental and moving into our renovated home. The house checked many boxes that are difficult to find on Balboa Island: private parking for 2 cars, indoor laundry, single home on the lot, and a large outdoor patio. The owner was super kind and quick to respond and resolve any issues that came up. There are things that could use some upgrading, a friend said it reminded her of the funky little beach cottages in Maine she visited as a child. Overall we had plenty of space for our family of 5 and stayed cozy through a very stormy week in January. It is a quick walk to the main drag, the location was great.
Stayed 12 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sally M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Charming property!

Great location, old-school feel with today’s needs fulfilled. Would return again. Thank you to the owners for sharing their special property.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Christmas 2022

Julie's home was great! The location is ideal for walking everywhere (restaurants, shopping, beautiful waterfront homes & people watching ) as well as quick drives to explore the surrounding area. So much to do and see!! Julie's home was beautiful and very comfortable. We had everything we needed to feel right at home. Julie was easy to get in touch with and quick to respond to any questions or issues. I would definitely recommend her property!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Quaint Cottage

Great eclectic cottage decorated and furnished like a proper home. Host was fabulous to deal with and responded promptly to questions. Had a great 4 night stay and will definitely be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Home away from home

Staying here feels like you are on vacation away from your vacation. The proximity to the water and the calmness of the harbor are fantastic. There are great restaurants and shops around. It was a nice getaway from going to the parks each day. Commute is easy and the home is very inviting. Great communication! We will stay here again when we are in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jordan V.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fabulous location

This house is in a great location and is super quaint and original. If you love classic, older homes with unique style, this place is for you. We loved the patio, kitchen and having two seating areas inside. The owner was easy to work with as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bruce R., Peoria,az

Liked: Cleanliness

BALBOA ISLAND VACATION

We have stayed at this property 7 times over a 13 year period. This vacation rental is perfect for our family. Our grandkids hope to one day be able to bring their family to this property. It is at a great location. We all have had a wonderful time here over the years. Thanks You Julie
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kali G.

Incredibly cozy getaway

We absolutely loved Julie's beautiful house. We were 5 adults all with plenty of room for our own privacy in a fabulous location for morning walks by the water and strolls down the main street for coffee and boutique browsing! Her kitchen is completely stocked with everything you need to make a nice meal to enjoy together around the table at the end of a leisurely day. Absolutely loved it, cannot recommend it enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ina W.

PA totally quirky lovely house. Every time you turn around you find something new and fun

Great house to entertain in or to just relax. Big pluses for me was the kitchen and outside patio. Double Dutch doors are fun. And helps with the airflow and adds a sense of privacy
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sarah T.

Charming Home - Great Aura - Close to Everything!

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay earlier this month. This home had everything we needed, it was nice and clean and the owner was extremely responsive and easy to work with. The location was fantastic if you're looking for a low key locals vibe. We walked downtown almost everyday and enjoyed visiting the little restaurants and ice cream shops. Thank you for everything Julie!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2017