07/28/2026 Today, I decided I needed to say Goodbye to Balboa Peninsula located in Newport Beach, California.
Parked on 8th St. Now, let’s walk to the pier. The main paved path is ~3 miles long and pier-to-pier is ~1.74 miles. You will see lots of activity… bikers, walkers, runners, roller bladers, e-scooters/e-bikes, etc. This is my favorite view from the pier. That girl in the background… she’s from Detroit, MI and I took some photos for her. I also made friends with this bird. Bird said, “Don’t take my picture yet. I have an itch.” Bird, “Okay, I’m ready” … lol, check out that posture. Pigeon said, “Wait, I want in on this too.”It is fun to see the kids out riding their bikes. It is similar, and yest vastly different, from how I grew up. Also, that big brother on the right has a baby brother in a little seat behind him! The big brother would reach his hand back to check on the little one; the little one would put both hands up in the air like he was having the best time ever.I made Op-footprints in the sand. A guy I went on 1-2 dates with a while ago taught me of the Footprints in the sand Poem. Now, I always think of that. I tried to write my name in Footprints (lol). It didn’t really work. The waves kind of messed it up. I usually have a hard time sitting at the beach. For whatever reason, I just get restless and bored (have to move). But here, I am better. I tap-tap my feet in the water, play with nearby shells, and listen to the repeat sounds of the ocean waves. Lol, showcasing my white feet. Evidence that I’ve been outside, but not barefoot. Sneaker status for the grin. Perhaps, I need to sun my feet. 😀Okay, I did eventually get antsy. So, I went to the end of the Peninsula to meander. Belvue Ln is my favorite. I watched the mailman walk down it. It’s just so cute. Passerby, flower spy. Zoomed in! From here, you can see the weird tree at Lookout Point and Corona del Mar! You can also watch all of the boats come in and out. Here comes a boat. A beach flower. Next up, visit The Wedge. Would you swim with waves like that?I was tempted to join. Hah, I feel like that would be a bad idea (for me). The waves are pretty, though. I appreciate the blues, the white caps, and the bubbles! Those two young girls (sitting on the sand) were in those big waves. This was a cute shell. The shells here are fun to play with; it’s like a treasure hunt. The End.
To be honest, a past friend taught me how to park here and that changed everything for me. Once I knew where to park, it was easily added to my list of rotational venture spots. It is the only place where I will actually remain seated with a towel on the sand and carelessly walk barefoot. I love the shells, the waves, the dolphins, and the piers. I have had one unforgettable stay-cay on the Peninsula, e-scootered the paved path, and wandered a lot in solitude.
Thank you, Balboa Peninsula (Newport Beach), for all of the memories made, picturesque moments captured, and sun. You will be missed. xo
Simply Op 
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