The reason that
there is a place in MudHoles.com for Balboa is that in
densely-developed Orange County there are precious few old and
quirky establishments. Call it Newport, call it Balboa
Peninsula, this location is at the end of the road; you either
go back the way you came or you take the ferry to Balboa
Island.
| PROPERTY |
BALBOA INN |
| ADDRESS |
105 MAIN
STREET -- BALBOA, CA 92661 |
| TELEPHONE |
714.675.3412 |
| WEB |
www.balboainn.com |
There are no
other lodgings in the area which meet CaliforniaMudhole.com
standards. The Balboa Inn is a historical landmark
(built in 1929), and offers only 34 rooms or
suites.
WHEN TO GO AND HOW TO GET
THERE:
- Take Highway 55 south (Newport
Boulevard) from John Wayne Airport or the 405 Freeway
- Avoid the summer season and
most weekends in spring or fall; recommended for New Year's
Eve
| BALBOA INN: "On the
Sand at Newport" |
- SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER RATES IN
WINTER
- IN AN AREA WHERE PARKING IS
AT A PREMIUM, UNDERGROUND PARKING IS PROVIDED
- POOL, JACUZZI
- ONE SHORT BLOCK TO
BEACH
|
| MUDHOLE-RATING |
|
 |
QUIRKINESS |
 |
ACCOMMODATIONS |
 |
GOOD AREA FOOD |
 |
DIVERSIONS |
 |
COST |
Location is
the key here. With a lot of auto traffic, this
property is no more than three blocks from anything/everything
which makes walking the convenient answer.
Try the Bumper Cars at The Fun
Zone along the pier.
| RESTAURANT
RECOMMENDATIONS |
- SHOREHOUSE CAFE (MAIN STREET
& EAST BALBOA AVENUE)
- NEWPORT LANDING
(AT THE FUN ZONE)
- BIBI'S FOR
BREAKFAST
|
 We last visited this property in May
2001.
| 
