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Balboa Island (Newport Beach, CA)

07/26/26 Today’s great idea was to go visit “Opal” one last time. Because I hate the idea of parking on Balboa Island, I opted to walk the approximate 2.5 miles there. Per Google, the island loop is about 1.7-2.5 miles (a worthwhile trek).

Short in the front, tall in the back. 😀
The wall mural is actually cooler in-person and this pic doesn’t quite do it justice.
Standing on the little bridge. This is one side. Cross ->
This is the other side.
You can walk the paved path around the island. The view looks a little like this.
Cute. Kids at play on a partly sunny day.
The main reason we are here. Lol, he’s walking toward Opal and he doesn’t even know.
Zoomed in. Is it still July 4th? lol (They were like that was too much work to put up, it stays)
Why did Opal walk instead of drive… because parking looks like… this (everywhere).
Plenty of Balboa Island benches.
What it looks like to head to the main street (Marine Ave).
You will likely be walking behind, next to, or in front of others. Hello (nice old couple)!
A well-named boat (the best one that I saw today).
Lol, I passed the old couple and they got a double feature.
Goodbye, Balboa Island.
One last passerby, flower spy on my walk back.

Overall, Balboa Island is the perfect place for a little stroll and change of scenery if you do not do it often. I witnessed people eating chocolate covered frozen bananas for breakfast (genius), a noticeably long line outside of Huskins coffee, and families gathering to eat at Wilma’s Patio. There are plenty of boats, houses (think expensive), shops, and people to observe. Do I think it is better than walking the beach? No. Do I think visiting “Opal” (and the other gem named streets) is essential? Lol, of course.

Thank you, Balboa Island for ensuring that there is an avenue (not) named after me. 🙂 When I first moved here, I took the avenue with my name as a sign that I was exactly where I was meant to be. (Sidenote: there is a street in Tustin with my last name, too). You will be missed. xo

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