Balboa Island is an area of Newport Beach, California actually comprised of three modified or artificial islands in Newport Harbor: Balboa Island; Little Balboa Island, to its east joined by a two-lane bridge; and the enclave of Collins Island to its west, joined by a one-lane bridge. The Balboa Island community is joined to the mainland by a short two-lane bridge to the north, and a privately-operated fleet of three, three-car ferryboats which provide access across the harbor to the Balboa Peninsula which lies to the south.

Balboa Island is one of the more expensive real estate markets in North America outside of Lower Manhattan. A two-bedroom house with a water view from the living room can be had for about $3 million.

Local tradition has it that Balboa Island is where the frozen chocolate banana was first marketed: There are snack shops on Marine Avenue that will dip a frozen banana on a stick into chocolate sauce and roll it around in ground nuts or candy sprinkles. This legend is referenced in the American television show Arrested Development in which the wealthy Bluth family of Orange County owns a frozen chocolate banana stand on Balboa Island. Also popular is the Balboa bar, a square of vanilla ice cream on a stick prepared in a similar fashion.

The Balboa Island zip code is 92662.

External link

• http://www.balboa-island.com/