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Posted in Southern California Nature January 27, 2017 by Angela

Spending A Day At This Picturesque Island In Southern California Will Make You Feel Like A Kid Again

You don’t need to travel far from home to spend the day at a fun and festive island getaway. Centrally located in Southern California, this island in SoCal will surely bring back some memorable moments from your childhood.

Welcome to Balboa Island!

There's something about Balboa Island that feels like a special vacation getaway even if you live right here in town in Southern California.

Located in the city of Newport Beach in Newport Harbor, Balboa Island can be reached by bridge, boat, or ferry.

My personal favorite is the Auto Ferry. Skip the drive and save yourself a ton of time.

Once you arrive on the island you'll have a ton of choices to make for how you'll spend your day.

I suggest starting on Marine Avenue. This main thoroughfare is where you can shop and dine to your heart's content.

Your first stop should be at Sugar 'N' Spice -- the legendary home to the original frozen banana that's been around since 1945.

Or head into the Balboa Island Museum and experience a little slice of history.

If you time your visit right you can take in one of the small town parades.

Once you meander away from Marine Avenue you'll definitely want to take a stroll along the boardwalk. I promise your jaw will drop when you see the charming houses along this paved path.

You can even rent a bike -- or bring your own -- and cycle through the island to take in the sights.

Make sure to head toward Balboa Fun Zone and hop on the Ferris Wheel.

The view from the top is one angle of the island you won't want to miss.

And last but not least is a visit to the pier. Everyone knows that a trip to Balboa Island isn't complete without a stroll down Balboa Pier...

And then a pit stop at Ruby's Diner for a bite to eat.

No matter what you do, make sure to stick around long enough to see the sunset. Nothing compares to this colorful sky at the end of a magical SoCal day.

If you haven’t had the chance to explore Balboa Island, make sure to add it to your list of SoCal adventures not to be missed.

For more Only In Southern California moments, head to these 13 places in SoCal that you must see in 2017.

Angela

Angela is the staff writer for Only in Your State - Southern California.