If you will be boating around Southern California, one of the great places to visit there is Balboa Island. Don’t blink or you might miss it. However, if you are lucky enough to get there you may well adore it as much as the people who live there.
A place very much like Carmel, California, the island of Balboa is actually part of the city of Newport Beach. Balboa is a mixed use community of retail shops and homes scrunched together in one of the most scenic settings in the world, among sailing boats and watercraft.
To say that Balboa is charming is an understatement. If you delight in seeing window boxes of flowers and other fine detail in architecture, along with touches of maritime accents, you’ll like Balboa Island.
The island can be entered by car by going over a short bridge. Once you are on the island, however, your real fun will begin as you search for a parking spot.
Your health and fitness will be enhanced by a walk around the perimeter of the island. The path is all sidewalk, so no worries about getting stuck in sand or sea mud. This is one of the most healthful strolls you can imagine, since your eyes and senses are always being delighted; your legs will be working without you knowing it.
People are friendly on Balboa, too. In a sense it’s almost a necessity. They are pretty densely packed on the island in terms of population density- some 3,000 people in an area of only .2 square miles.
This is a great walk for anyone with a dog. Dogs are welcome, just be sure to bring along your pooper plastic bag as a courtesy to other walkers.
Visiting Balboa holds some secret values. Little hole in the wall dining establishments are open at lunch and dinner and offer great value and delicious food.
The area is an easy sail from San Diego or Los Angeles. As such, this would make a great day trip outting, complete with fitness hike.