Balboa Beach Front

Looks like this is a private beach since it’s on an island. It was beautiful and quiet, nestled between some homes. Had some fun finding seashells here as well. :)

This review is based on 2 visits in Aug.
The first visit was on a Friday, arrived around 2:00pm. Plenty of convenient parking available that was just steps from the sand, love that. It wasn’t crowded at all, lots of space to lay out your things. The shore was very well maintained.
Second visit on a Sunday, arrived around 1:00. Parking was a bit of a nightmare which we anticipated. This time we decided to set up on the bathroom/​shower side just for convenience. Typical beach bathroom.
Overall we really enjoy this beach. I only have one real complaint for Sunday and it really has nothing to do with the actual beach, it was the people. I was pretty disgusted about all the trash that was left behind. Me and my son filled up 2 grocery bags of trash including lots of plastic, netting, styrofoam, food (gross!), etc., Two bags and just in our little surrounding area! This was on Sunday and there was lots of little ones but if they’re littering so are their parents.
One last note. I understand the waves are forever changing but on both days the waves were pretty big and broke on shore. I got sucked in and spit out a couple times. My son loved getting tossed around by the waves. Make sure you’re paying attention as you should always :)

Beautiful beach! You’ll be pressed to find parking, but it’s clean and pleasant. The million dollar beach homes have quaint architecture. Come and gawk at the opulence of the 1%! Get a Balboa Bar, ride the ferry, crack Arrested Development jokes with your friends. Gadsden Flags on yachts, young white boys petitioning for Obama’s impeachment, there’s even a massive bronze Ronald Reagan statue facing out on the moored boats. It’s here that you can truly get a taste of Orange County in all of it’s oblivious glory.

Great beach, clean great for the kids to play. Great restaurants, the ferry to get there is the most fun!

I had such an amazing experience here! We arrived around 6:00 pm and there was plenty of parking. Also the security guard got us a fire pit. He took the skateboards off of the fire pit and told us if people want to reserve a fire pit they must be around the pit. Very sweet and amazing security guard! I also love that they changed the rules from having wood to charcoal pits. It creates less smoke and less of the smokey smell to your clothes. When people did bring wood, the security would stop them from bringing it on the beach. The beach was also super clean. I loved it!

Very clean and well kept beach. Pretty views, and awesome place to just soak in the sun. I’m sure all of the other reviews mentioned that parking is a beast to get, so bring something comfy to walk in.

Excellent area, excellent beaches. What’s to say that hasn’t already been Unilocaled?
Parking is a bitch, bring a bike or good walking shoes. Enjoy weekdays… leave the weekends for the inland empire douchebags and the police department.

Lovely morning at the beach! It was very quiet, clean, and there were not many people, i.e. perfect for relaxing and getting some vitamin D :)

Great place to come and walk around. Tons of shops, restaurants, bars, and of course the beach! Came down here after 6pm and the parking was free. Got a chance to watch a great sunset.

Maybe I’m bias being born and raised here but this is the best beach in the world… seriously. I have been to beaches all over the planet and this is easily top five.
If you are from somewhere else and come here, Please don’t leave your trash all over or I will personally go to the inland empire and go poop on your front doorstep. Parking is a bitch… so ride your bike down.

Ahh! Balboa! Last night a bunch of my friends wanted to enjoy some wonderful SoCal Beach front! So we decided to go to Balboa Beach! And for a Friday night so close to summer there was plenty of parking. Our friends has gotten there early to get a fire pit and we had a perfect bon-​fire going. It was a wonderful night.

Love the beach front for a stroll, a jog or a bike ride!
Truly one of my favourite places in southern California that I’ve grown up with. Great for spending time with a loved one, with friends or with family.
Absolutely stunning!
(Note: Can park in the metered lot, attended lot, street meters or unmetered street parking.)

This is one of the best beaches in So Cal and particularly Orange County. There is usually ample parking, a couple good local restaurants and shopping. I really love having bon fires here because the parking lot and beach is very accessible. Some beaches require you to walk what seems like forever of breach to get to fire pits. If you try to come here during peak hours (11am — 2pm) the parking is tough, so I suggest to park on the Main Street and just walk in. The parking lot at balboa will most likely be closed at that time due to high volume. I also love the Ruby’s at the end of the pier. It’s always a nice treat at the end of a beach day.

One of my favorite beaches in all of SoCal. It’s all about the fire rings at this beach. Come early during the summer (beach opens at 6am) to snag one of the 15 available rings and make sure to bring lots of firewood.
There’s a parking lot connected to the beach/​pier and there’s a good chance of snagging a spot early, but your chances of finding a spot increase immensely if you arrive after sundown to join some friends at the fire rings, just make sure they were able to snag a ring before you make your way down there. I’m not sure on the break down on price, but I was here on Saturday from 330p to 1030p and paid $ 11 (cards accepted).
Balboa is where I popped my bonfire cherry. I immediately got the «Karate Kid’ feel at that time and every other time since then. Sadly, I’ve never been confronted by 5 dudes on dirt bikes at any bonfire. But if it ever happens, I’ll be ready.
I’m the best around…