Located in Balboa Island, this vacation home is within a mile (2 km) of sights such as Balboa Fun Zone and Balboa Peninsula Beaches. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a patio, and a TV.
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
Balboa Peninsula Beaches - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
Balboa Pier - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
Balboa Beach - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
Getting around
Orange Station - 21 min drive
John Wayne Airport (SNA) - 25 min drive
Restaurants
Harborside Restaurant & Grand - 5 min drive
The Galley Cafe - 4 min drive
Todos Santos | Kitchen De Mexico - 2 min walk
Dad's Original Frozen Banana - 9 min walk
Wilma's Patio Restaurant - 11 min walk
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.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, and a patio, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. The vacation home also includes a washing machine.
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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
This property doesn't allow pets
Children and extra beds
Children allowed: ages 0-17
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
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
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 30
Property Registration Number SLP13972
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Frequently asked questions
What can I see close to this vacation home?
This vacation home is situated in Balboa Island, close to Fashion Island, Pelican Hill Golf Course, and Crystal Cove State Park. You'll also find Balboa Peninsula Beaches and Balboa Beach less than a mile away.
Is parking available on site at Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C!?
Yes, there is a garage.
Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.
Are there hot tubs at Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C!?
No, this vacation home doesn't have a spa tub.
Does this vacation home offer breakfast?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Does this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?
No, pets aren't allowed at this vacation home.
Are there connecting rooms at Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C!?
No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this vacation home.
Where is the closest airport to this vacation home?
The closest major airport to this vacation home is John Wayne Airport (SNA), which is 9.1 mi away (25 minutes by car). Another top airport is Fullerton, CA (FUL-Fullerton Municipal), which is located 25.9 mi away (45-minute drive).
Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C!?
No, there aren't any house with balconies at Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C!.
Classic Balboa Cottage, Newly Updated with A/C! Reviews
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 10 reviews
10 - Excellent
6
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 10 reviews
8 - Good
3
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 10 reviews
6 - Okay
1
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.8/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Laura H.
Apr 28, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely stay at this idyllic cottage on beautiful Balboa Island. Steps to the sand, walking path, and the ferry to Balboa Peninsula. The host was very responsive. Highly recommend
Laura H.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2026
10/10 Excellent
John H.
Apr 24, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
John H.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2026
8/10 Good
Gracie S.
Mar 23, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
The house and area were so clean and wonderful. Good luck trying to get in contact with the host. After multiple calls/messages to host we never received check in/out instructions, door code etc.. Again, the house was wonderful.I hope no one else has this experience going forward.
Gracie S.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2026
10/10 Excellent
Kim K.
Feb 5, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
The house was amazing. It was clean and beautifully decorated.Accommodations were perfect. We loved the location. So much to do there
Kim K.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
10/10 Excellent
paige h.
Nov 12, 2025
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!
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.
paul h.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Michael D.
Dec 11, 2022
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!
Michael D.
Stayed 21 nights in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
Victoria H.
Nov 14, 2022
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!!!