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
Interior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior
Terrace/patio

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

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

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

Property manager

Mitch

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • 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
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • Near the sea

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

Similar properties

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

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Take out the rubbish

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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

About the area

Map
Balboa Island, CA

What's nearby

  • Balboa Pier - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Balboa Beach - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Newport Dune - 2 min drive - 1.2 km
  • Fashion Island - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Newport Pier - 6 min drive - 4.1 km

Getting around

  • Laguna Niguel Station - 21 min drive
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne) - 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

Frequently asked questions

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

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Balboa Lodge, Steps from Island Ferry to Beach - newly updated with A/C?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

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

Located in Balboa Island, this holiday home is 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and 1.5 mi (2.5 km) from Fashion Island. Balboa Fun Zone and Balboa Peninsula Beaches are also within 1 mile (2 km).

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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

Rachel S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

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

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Balboa Vacay

Great location
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Blake M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Wendy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay, great location

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

10/10 Excellent

Michael P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Hans W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Balboa Island Vacation

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

10/10 Excellent

Dan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Nicholas D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Michael J H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Kathy E., Arvada, Colorado

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Nicole D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Grant H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and clean.

Great week in SoCal
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
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
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lysa C.

Great Location

We stayed here while our home was being remodeled. The owner is responsive and very accommodating. The home has a vintage feel and is equipped with everything you will need for a wonderful vacation. Everything is within walking distance.

10/10 Excellent

Dan W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Mollie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Lee W.

Enjoyable Stay

I would sum up our stay as a good value. Balboa Island is amazing and this house provides the opportunity to stay on the island for a reasonable price. It is not fancy, but was comfortable and provided a great base of operations. The garage is a huge plus. The people who live in the adjoining house are nice. Two notes for anyone visiting: bring your own beach towels. Be aware that the TV in the main room does not have a DVD available, although you can easily connect to Netflix, Amazon, etc. thanks for having us!!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location was great. We were able to park on the street due to the open spaces (we had a large SUV and the garage was a little tight). The rooms were clean, and the kitchen was open and functional. This was a great place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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