Balboa Island, in Southern California, is a beautiful place to spend the day. It provides a great mix of activities that the whole family can enjoy, or you can enjoy as a couple. Read on for tips on spend your time.
Instructions
1. Take the ferry. The ferry to Balboa Island is a small, three car ferry that also allows pedestrians and bicycle riders on board. It's a fun way to access the island and is very inexpensive. See the link in Resources for information and a map for accessing the ferry.
2. Rent your transportation once on the island. Balboa Island provides abundant options to rent bikes or multi-person surreys. The surrey allows two, four or six people to pedal together as well as providing a basket up front for up to two children (see Resources). It's a great way to see the beach and the multi-million dollar homes up close. You can park it along the bike path at any time and wander along the beach, grab an ice cream or relax with a beverage.
3. Have a great meal. There's lots of options both near the water and near the Fun Zone area. Consider BJ's Brewhouse, a pub-like spot that provides sandwiches, salads and deep dish pizzas as well as a great selection of beers and a children's menu (see Resources). You can also grab a terrific burger at Bay Burger in the Fun Zone (see Resources).
4. Go play on the beach. Balboa beach is a terrific place to splash around in the waves, build a sandcastle or just relax and have a picnic. It has a long shelf that provides ample space for walking out into the waves before your knees get wet. Just be sure to bring lots of sunscreen. Don't expect to swim, though, unless you're very used to the cold waters in this part of the Pacific.
5. Walk out on the pier. The pier provides a great spot to view the sunset. You can grab a bite at Ruby's Diner, a 1940s-style diner. The pier is the original location of this chain of restaurants. You can also walk along and see the fishermen hoping to catch a quick bite.
6. Play at the Fun Zone. Go old school in the arcade with Skeeball or air hockey, or try a new skill playing "Dance Dance Revolution." The Ferris Wheel, which costs $3 per person adult or child, is a great way to see the whole island and has updated safety equipment that is more than the simple single bar across your or your child's lap. The carousel is small, but fun for younger children. And there's a bungee jumping trampoline that provides fun for children of all ages (see Resources).
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