A Little History
Built in 1929, this upscale Orange County inn has entertained such notables as Howard Hughes, Barry Goldwater and a host of other politicians, entertainers and honeymooners. Once owned by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kareem Abdul Jabbar, its nine-foot ceilings still bear a telltale sign of the basketball star. A recent $ 6 million addition features two oceanview terraces, a new oceanview Italian tile sundeck with hot tub, 34 upgraded rooms, 11 top-of-the-line suites and convenient subterranean valet parking.
Location!
Location! Location! Location! Situated right by The Balboa pier and minutes away from the ferry boat to Balboa Island. The Balboa Inn offers rooms with historic charm as well as luxury ocean-view suites. The newest addition to the Balboa Inn includes upscale Resort rooms each offering ocean-view, balconies and jacuzzi tubs. Wake up to the Pacific Ocean at sunrise and watch the sun set from our beautiful ocean-view terrace or on your private balcony. Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast overlooking the water or dinner in our lovely Italian Restaurant. Sunshine, relaxion and memorable times await you!
ON SITE GUEST SERVICES
Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast
Siena Banquet Room with seating for up to 175 guests
Full Service Dining at Our Award Winning Siena Restaurant
Full Service Cocktail Lounge, with Indoor/ Outdoor Seating
High Speed Internet Access throughout Hotel
Siena Banquet Room with seating for up to 175 guests
Full Service Dining at Our Award Winning Siena Restaurant
Full Service Cocktail Lounge, with Indoor/ Outdoor Seating
High Speed Internet Access throughout Hotel
Concierge
We would like to make your stay at Balboa Inn The Resort as pleasant as possible, please consult one of our associates for information about what to do in the Newport Beach/ Balboa area or click any of the images below:
Located on the boardwalk, our guests enjoy the many shops, restaurants and water activities in the area, in addition to sand and surf just outside our doors. For the adventurous there are boats for rent (both power and sail), or the challenge of parasailing or deep sea fishing. Or, enjoy the simple relaxation of the ocean boardwalk and the sequestered charm of the Balboa Inn, its restaurant & lounge.
For the romantic, we recommend an ocean view suite with fireplace and Jacuzzi Tub. Open the windows at night and listen to the ocean and experience her cool gentle breeze. Cruise to nearby Catalina Island, or enjoy a romantic gondola ride complete with lunch or dinner on the boat... all available during your stay at the Balboa Inn.
Families enjoy the Balboa Inn because of its location on the beach with so many other water activities to enjoy. There are also bikes, blades, boogie boards and more available at nearby rental shops for additional fun in the sun.
Located on the boardwalk, our guests enjoy the many shops, restaurants and water activities in the area, in addition to sand and surf just outside our doors. For the adventurous there are boats for rent (both power and sail), or the challenge of parasailing or deep sea fishing. Or, enjoy the simple relaxation of the ocean boardwalk and the sequestered charm of the Balboa Inn, its restaurant & lounge.
For the romantic, we recommend an ocean view suite with fireplace and Jacuzzi Tub. Open the windows at night and listen to the ocean and experience her cool gentle breeze. Cruise to nearby Catalina Island, or enjoy a romantic gondola ride complete with lunch or dinner on the boat... all available during your stay at the Balboa Inn.
Families enjoy the Balboa Inn because of its location on the beach with so many other water activities to enjoy. There are also bikes, blades, boogie boards and more available at nearby rental shops for additional fun in the sun.
From The Owner
The newly remodeled Balboa Inn, in Newport Beach, Orange County, is a place where casual beachside ambiance and classic Old World charm combine in a historic landmark that’s lured Southern California.
The Balboa Peninsula History
In the late 1800's, the Balboa Peninsula served as a landing to load goods for exports. It began as a thriving commercial trade and shipping center, continuing until this era drew to a close with the opening of the San Pedro Harbor and the sale of the Newport townsite. Developers saw the Balboa Peninsula in a different light and soon envisioned the potential for this area to be the newest resort and recreation spot outside of Los Angeles.
In 1905, The Pacific Electric "Red Cars" were extended to include service to the Balboa Peninsula bringing thousands of vacationers from Los Angeles right to the Pavillion front. This was just the beginning and with the launch of aggressive promotions to build the Peninsula, Balboa soon became the premier summer getaway in Southern California. Young Hollywood flocked, the Peninsula became a back drop for movies, and a stage for some of the biggest bands to perform - Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Nat King Cole, Dorsey Brothers, Harry James, Glen Miller, just to name a few. The wealthy from Los Angeles and Pasadena began buying the subdivided land and buildling vacation homes.
Today the Balboa Peninsula still allures travelers with history and charm, and remains SoCal's #1 destination with endless activities.
The Balboa Hotel (1905), was located on the site where our Balboa Post Office stands today. Built in only 10 days to be ready for the arrival of the big Pacific Electric Red Cars, this two-story, single wall structure wasn't pretty, but it housed thousands of tourists throughout the years.
The Balboa Pavilion (1906), is the unquestioned focal point of the Balboa Peninsula, built as a Victorian bath house and terminal for the Pacific Electric Red Car. Fashionably dressed bathers arrived from the Greater Los Angeles area to spend the day at Balboa frolicking in the Bay. The Pavilion has been home to the big bands of the 30's & 40's, bingo parlor, amusement arcade, sport fishing, harbor cruises, Catalina ferry service, seafood restaurant, shell museum, and the first home of the Newport Harbor Art Museum. The Balboa Pavilion, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is still the center for marine recreation in Newport Beach.
The Catalina Flight (1912). Today, a plaque at the foot of the Balboa Pier, honors the memory of Glenn Martin, aviation pioneer, who, on May 10, 1912, flew from Balboa Bay to Avalon and back in a primitive hydroplane which he built in Santa Ana. The flight took 37 minutes and was the longest, fastest over-water flight ever recorded at that time.
The Balboa Ferry (1919), began as a skiff, "The Ark," powered by an outboard motor and carried oars, just in case. Later, the ferry graduated to a cumbersome craft, "The Fat Ferry," which could carry only one car. Founded by a Balboa Island pioneer, Joe Beek, the ferry, running between the Balboa peninsula and Balboa Island, remains in the Beek family. The sleek modern craft crossing the bay today has come a long way, and, they each carry 3 autos, as well as passengers.
The Balboa Fire Station (1927), was for years the only governmental building in Balboa. While primarily a fire station, it did double duty on Saturday nights as an impromptu holding cell for the numerous citizens arrested for over-consumption of alcohol during the rowdy days of Prohibition. Balboa was pure honky tonk in those days. Today, the location of the Fire Station/Police Station is a parking lot adjacent to a public restroom... known at the time as a "comfort station."
The Rendezvous Ballroom (1928), was Southern California's premier dance hall throughout the Swing Era of the 30's and 40's. All the "Big Bands" - Stan Kenton, Dorsey Brothers, Harry James, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman - played at the Rendezvous until 1966 when it succumbed to fire. Today a condominium stands on the locale. A marker on the corner of Washington Street and Ocean Front commemorates the site.
The Balboa Inn (1929), in its day, The Balboa Inn was the number one hostelry on the Orange County Coast. At one time the Balboa Theater, operated by the colorful, hard-drinking, hard-swearing character Madame La Rue, stood next to the Balboa Inn. Our early photo of Main St. shows the theater on the far right. The Balboa Inn was, and still is, a favorite getaway spot for Hollywood stars. For example, Olympic athlete and Tarzan star Johnny Weissmueller stayed there. Legend has it that Weissmueller swam the distance between the Balboa Pier and Newport Pier on a regular basis.
Today, Balboa Inn The Resort is one of the most popular resorts on the West Coast. The Inn has been remodeled and modernized a number of times, but its graceful Spanish architecture remains virtually unchanged. The most famous room at the Inn is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Suite with its 9 foot high doors.
Soto's (1935) Japanese Curio Shop, stood at the corner of Bay Avenue and Main Street. Soto's was headquarters for all the curious Balboa youngsters who pawed over his exotic merchandise. While Soto was one of the most loved men in Balboa, he fell victim to World War II hysteria and, with thousands of other loyal Japanese-Americans, was sent to an internment camp. He was sent to one of the worst, Poston, located on the Colorado River in Arizona. Soto never made it back to his beloved shop.
The Balboa Fun Zone (1936), was built on Abbott's Landing where Mr. Abbott brought soil from the mainland and planted the Peninsula's first trees. At one time the Fun Zone, a miniature amusement park, covered the entire block between Palm Street and Washington Street on the Bay Front. The ferris wheel and the merry-go-round remain, nostalgic memories from an era which provided pleasure to generations of visitors to Balboa.Travel Agents
Travel Agents, welcome to Balboa Inn The Resort!
Thank you for considering our Newport Beach Resort for your clients, and to make it a little easier for you to book our Hotel, using your IATA (International Air Transport Association) Numeric Code, we have listed our GDS (Global Distribution Systems) Codes for the different Central Reservations Systems (CRS) that we belong to, so we can reward you with a 10% commission on all reservations for your clients.
Our Chain Code is LM and our Property ID # is 10294.
Should you need more information, please contact us at info@balboainn.com.
Thank you for considering our Newport Beach Resort for your clients, and to make it a little easier for you to book our Hotel, using your IATA (International Air Transport Association) Numeric Code, we have listed our GDS (Global Distribution Systems) Codes for the different Central Reservations Systems (CRS) that we belong to, so we can reward you with a 10% commission on all reservations for your clients.
Our Chain Code is LM and our Property ID # is 10294.
Should you need more information, please contact us at info@balboainn.com.
The Charm of the Balboa Inn
Located on the boardwalk, our guests enjoy the many shops, restaurants and water activities in the area, in addition to sand and surf just outside our doors. For the adventurous there are boats for rent (both power and sail), or the challenge of parasailing or deep sea fishing. Or, enjoy the simple relaxation of the ocean boardwalk and the sequestered charm of the Balboa Inn, its restaurant & lounge.
The Siena Italian Restaurant
Siena's "Cucina Italiana" specializes in Northern Italian cuisine, famous for its seafood platter, chicken marsala and true Italian pizzas and pastas. Serving lunch and dinner, enjoy fresh choice salads, and an array of appetizers and gourmet entrees. The Siena Italian Restaurant offers fine Italian cuisine in a superb Newport Beach, OC, Southern California location. And don't forget to ask about the fresh fish of the day, or try the succulent filet mignon, our chef's favorite!
Also, The Siena offers a variety of reception and special event room styles for Weddings, Private Parties, Corporate Meetings and Banquets. For more information about our Weddings and Events, please visit our new Balboa Inn Events Web Site.
Also, The Siena offers a variety of reception and special event room styles for Weddings, Private Parties, Corporate Meetings and Banquets. For more information about our Weddings and Events, please visit our new Balboa Inn Events Web Site.
* OCEANVIEW SUITES
Enjoy superb comfort in our ocean view suites. Open a window and hear the waves crash against the shore as you soak in the sea breeze; you'll never want to leave your room. Our ocean view suites offer exquisite views of the coast and most have fire places, with oversized jacuzzi tubs and the finest amenities and services.For the VIP guest, choose a luxurious suite in the new ocean front tower "The Resort." All have expansive views of the sparkling Pacific ocean. Fine touches include a private ocean front balcony, plush robes, marble floors and jacuzzi tubs. Ensuring that your guestroom is technically wired to meet all your needs, each room is equipped with large flat screen televisions and ipod docking stations.
* COURTYARD SUITES
Enjoy a little old world charm in one of our courtyard suites. These suites overlook the romantic courtyard and offer custom details, including a sofa bed, fireplaces, and oversized jacuzzi tubs, all with the finest amenities and services you expect at Balboa Inn The Resort.* FAMILY SUITES
Our family style suites are designed with the family in mind. They are two rooms queen or king beds, with two televisions, connected by a small corridor. These rooms are perfect for a party of four or family offering all the comforts of home and with a little privacy.* DELUXE ROOMS
The deluxe room is a romantic and quaint choice. These rooms are unique in their own ways some with ocean or bay views, fireplaces, hardwood floors, or balconies.* STANDARD ROOMS
Standard rooms offer a comfortable choice with queen beds and still with that old world charm.* CHECK-IN TIME: 3:00 pm. | CHECK-OUT TIME: 12:00 pm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)