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Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C!

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TV
Terrace/patio
Marina
TV
TV

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Newport Beach, CA
  • Place, Balboa Peninsula Beaches
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Balboa Pier
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, Balboa Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C!

This vacation home is truly one of a kind. One of Balboa Island's famous historical cottages with all its charm, we've recently renovated the interior and added AC and forced air heating for modern comfort. We are just minutes by foot from the Balboa Ferry, Fun Zone, and Peninsula beaches.

With a quaint garden patio and open living spaces, this is the perfect spot to unwind with family and friends after a long day exploring Newport Beach!

[FAST WIFI, AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING, NEW APPLIANCES]

Inside: Just past our fully remodeled kitchen [NO DISHWASHER] with new appliances is the cozy living room & TV (decorative fireplace). One bedroom with queen bed is downstairs along with an auxiliary living area with twin bed that can be used to sleep one more guest. Downstairs bathroom includes a shower with tub. Large bright room upstairs with queen bed and half bathroom.

Heading outside down the walkway to the alleyway and past the outdoor beach shower, you'll find the garage with parking for 1 car (clearance ~6'6", shared with back unit) and a new washer and dryer. The garage also contains a variety of beach chairs and sand toys which guests are free to use - please just make sure to return them! (We do not have bikes, paddle boards, or kayaks available for guests though they can be rented nearby)

Activities and Attractions:

Balboa Island is not only a great vacation destination itself but also an excellent base for Southern California's many other attractions and theme parks!

Our property is located just a few doors down from the beautiful Balboa Bay, boardwalk, and the Balboa Ferry that gives access to the Fun Zone, Peninsula beaches and Pacific Ocean. The ferry is a lovely 5 minute ride directly to the Fun Zone (with arcades, rides, and snacks), the Balboa Pier, shopping and restaurants, boating and fishing excursions (including transport to nearby Catalina Island), and bike/water sport rentals.

Agate is the only street on the island with a children's climbing gym and basketball court. On the island itself, Marine Avenue boasts fine restaurants and boutique shops which are only 2 miles away from even more fine dining, shopping, and movie theaters at Newport's famous outdoor mall, Fashion Island.

For those interested in seeing more of the Orange County coastline, Laguna Beach lies 7 miles further down the Pacific Coast Highway. Originally an artist's colony, Laguna hosts the Pageant of the Masters and Sawdust Festival in the summer, art galleries, and fine dining and shopping along with wonderful beaches with tide pools.

Balboa Lodge is ~35 minutes from Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and an hour or so from Universal Studios, Hollywood, San Diego Zoo and Sea World. The Santa Ana/Orange County (SNA) Airport is only 10 minutes away and the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 45 minutes away.
During your stay at this vacation home, you'll be within walking distance of Balboa Fun Zone. Enjoy features like a gym and laundry facilities. A kitchen and 1.5 bathrooms are available in the vacation home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine, and 1.5 bathrooms
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Onsite recreation includes a gym
  • Just a 4-minute drive from Fashion Island and 7 minutes from Pelican Hill Golf Course
As a guest of this vacation home, you'll find a fitness center, a garden, and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Shower

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Things to do

  • Gym
  • Kayak

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 30

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds
Remove personal items and take out the trash
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking. An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking.
Property Registration Number SLP13972

Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C! Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kim K.

Liked: Cleanliness
The house was amazing. It was clean and beautifully decorated.Accommodations were perfect. We loved the location. So much to do there
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

paige h.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a wonderful stay - the unit is so homey and inviting! The beds were very comfortable and the living room and kitchen were a great size! A great value for money - would recommend to others!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Kyle

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Fred

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

paul h.

Liked: Cleanliness

Needs a few improvements

Like all of Balboa, this is a multi-million dollar property that charges renters a significant price. Given that, there are a few things about this property that were disappointing. Per the renters guide we were provided, “the garage opener doesn’t always work”. This device broke down completely (not just a dead battery) while we were there. With no alternate access (side door locked), we could not access our car. This caused us to miss an appointment. Since the owners knew it was faulty, why didn’t they replace it? By the owner’s admission (as stated in the renter’s guide), using the TV system as configured is complicated and confusing. Yes, it is - so why don’t the owners resolve this problem for the renter’s convenience. The deck/patio furniture is not acceptable for a Balboa rental unit - including two old plastic chairs and a rusty table. Also the BBQ is an old model with a dirty grill that requires briquettes/matches instead of gas. Also, there is no dishwasher. While these are not major issues, they are inconveniences not expected on a Balboa property. Attention to details like these would make for a better experience.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great extended stay

We stayed here for three weeks over thanksgiving and into the Xmas period. Great space, everything worked as needed. Property manager was very responsive and helpful. We extended a week as we had something else fall through and they were more than helpful! Would stay again!
Stayed 21 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Victoria H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family former summer cottage can’t be beat!

This adorable cottage is one of the originals to the island. Completely restored and updated you can’t go wrong with the location, ambiance and all else! Sally’s done an amazing job thinking of everything one might need for their holiday. If you are not familiar with Balboa Island beware it does get crazy crowded in the summer months so parking is always a huge issue during this time, however, this place is walkable to nearly everything you could ask for once you unpack and park in the available one spot garage.. a small family, couple, or just one person like me will feel right at home…..Thanks again!!!
Stayed 26 nights in Oct 2022