thumb|right|325px|The Balboa Peninsula

The Balboa Peninsula (also referred to as "Balboa" or "the Peninsula") is a neighborhood of the city of Newport Beach, California. It is named after Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to sight the Pacific from the Americas.

Balboa is primarily residential with some commercial areas.

History

In 1888, the McFadden family, which had arrived in California c. 1849, decided their shipping business would be more successful if they moved it from the inner shores of the bay to the oceanfront, where it was connected by rail to Santa Ana. They built McFadden Wharf at the location where the Newport Pier is today. In 1899, the Federal Government allocated funds for major improvements to a new harbor at San Pedro, which would become Southern California's major seaport. The McFadden Wharf and railroad were sold to the Southern Pacific Railroad that same year, signaling the end of Newport Bay as a commercial shipping center. Balboa Pier is near the Balboa Island Ferry in Balboa Village and about two miles toward SR 1 is Newport Pier at McFadden Square. Linda Isle and Harbor Island connect via bridge from Bayside Drive off SR 1.

Landmarks

thumb|The Balboa Inn

  • Balboa Pavilion (established 1906)
  • Balboa Theater (established 1928)
  • Balboa Inn (established 1929)
  • Balboa Fun Zone
  • Balboa Island Ferry
  • Balboa Pavilion
  • Balboa Pier
  • The Crab Cooker
  • Dory Fishing Fleet
  • Lovell Beach House
  • Newport Elementary School
  • The Wedge

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File:Newport Beach california 5 march 9 2014 photo d ramey logan.jpg|Balboa Peninsula

File:Newport Beach harbor california 6 march 9 2014 photo d ramey logan.jpg|Balboa Peninsula

File:Balboa Peninsula Ferry Terminal 01.jpg|Balboa Island Ferry Terminal on Balboa Peninsula

File:Balboa Peninsula Ferry Terminal 02.jpg|Balboa Island Ferry Terminal on Balboa Peninsula

File:Wedge Newport Hurricane Marie photo D Ramey Logan.jpg|The Wedge: a popular destination for skimboarding, surfing, bodyboarding and bodysurfing is at the end of the Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach.

File:Newport Harbor Sunset Photo D Ramey Logan.jpg|Newport Harbor Sunset

File:Balboa Pier, Newport.JPG|Balboa Pier

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References

  • Newport Beach Elementary School
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church