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Balboa Island Ferry - Newport Beach, California

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Real Estate Agent with Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties 01501912
Balboa Island Ferry

One of the unique charming modes of transportation is the Balboa Island Ferry. The ferry offers transportation from Balboa Peninsula to Balboa Island. The distance on the ferry is approximately one quarter of a mile. If you were to drive that distance, it is approximately five miles.

balboa island ferry

The Balboa Island has a very interesting history. The very first car that was transported on the Balboa Island Ferry was originally in 1920. The original cost for an automobile was ten cents. The Balboa Island had a franchise which began in 1922, one of the first ferries was named the Joker. Currently, there are three 64 foot ferries, and they have the capacity to carry three automobiles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

The ferry drivers are very skilled, particularly during the summer months when Newport Harbor can be incredibly busy with the Newport Harbor boat traffic. It is a great way to travel from the Peninsula to the Island and enjoy the beauty of Newport Harbor on the brief journey (but well worth it). I enjoy riding the ferry, as it is an opportunity to view sea life, boats, and the beautiful homes from a different perspective.

The costs for the Balboa Island ferry are now as follows:

Automobile with driver - $2.00
Children (age 5 to 11 years) - $0.50
Children (age under 5) - free
Motorcycle and driver - $1.50
Bicycle with adult - $1.25
Bicycle with child - $0.75

The Balboa Island Ferry also offers a commuter booklet which can be obtained here, and offers a savings to the frequent ferry rider.

If I can answer any questions about Newport Beach Real Estate, homes for sale in Corona del Mar, and Newport Coast Luxury homes, please feel free to contact me at 949.280.0681.

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Posted by

Sharon Paxson REALTOR®
EQTY Forbes Global Properties
949.280.0681

DRE 01501912

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(20)

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

10 cents! We have our first "superferry" going from Oahu to Maui.

Dec 28, 2008 04:56 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Sharon, I have never taken this ferry, and we don't have any Ferrys in Colorado, that I know about! But, I did take a Ferry Ride while on vacation in Seattle, they are fun, and you're right, a great way to sea ( pun intended) a different perspective. Thanks!

Dec 28, 2008 04:56 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Hi Sharon, great Localism post and I hope you all had a good holiday! I think I already congratulated you on the 100K mark but if not...Congratulations!

Dec 28, 2008 05:00 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Sally - I did not realize that you have a super ferry. How long does it take? That is a great mode of transportation.

Dec 28, 2008 05:22 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Mary - it is pretty cool - you just drive your car right on . . . then take it the pretty sites on the brief trip.

Dec 28, 2008 05:23 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Russell - thanks for commenting, and for the nice compliment. I hope you had a wonderful holiday as well. Happy New Year!

Dec 28, 2008 05:24 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Sharon

A ride on an auto ferry is pretty cool. There is one in upper Wisconsin that goes from the mainland to Washington Island. It is about a half an hour and six miles each way with super scenery.

It is worth the trip just for the ferry.

Happy New year

Tom Braatz

Dec 28, 2008 06:38 AM
Kim Sellers
Lake Arrowhead, CA Coldwell Banker - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Lake Arrowhead Realtor - BRE#01412099 - Lake Arrow

Again Sharon you are a wealth of information on one of my favorite places to visit... clients and the community will love your take.

Dec 28, 2008 07:25 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Tom - Your ferry sounds awesome and I will have to make it a point to visit so I can take in your scenery. Thanks for commenting!

Dec 28, 2008 07:31 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Kim - you are so kind - and I appreciate the comment.

Dec 28, 2008 07:32 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Sharon, I love taking ferries if I can and used to all the time.  But the prices here are NOTHING like what they are there---it's gotten very expensive especially to take the car.  I wish you a wonderful and prosperous New Year. 

Dec 28, 2008 02:09 PM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Carole - I am like you - I love them as well. It is just so much more "charming" that doing the drive . . . thanks for the comment. Wishing you a happy, healthy and very prosperous 2009.

Dec 29, 2008 01:23 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Sharon, Very neat. We don't have ferries around here - not really a need for them.  Thanks for the educational lesson.  Have a wonderful New Year!

Dec 29, 2008 01:53 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Sandy - thanks for visiting, and commenting. The ferry is a local favorite, and a great (very brief way) to see the Harbor.

Dec 29, 2008 02:08 AM
Harrison K. Long
HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Sharon ... nice photos and good article about the Balboa Island Ferry. Please keep up the work and localism writing.  Best wishes as always. Harrison

Dec 29, 2008 03:11 AM
Kat DeLong
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
REALTOR

  Sharon: I LOVE riding the Ferry over to the island...it is always a treat, regardless how many times I have done it. Thanks for the history lesson on it.

Ball Drop 2009

Dec 29, 2008 03:16 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Harrison - thanks for the comment. It is a nice way to see the Harbor and the boats. Happy New Year to you!

Dec 29, 2008 03:17 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Kat - thanks for the comment. I too love riding the ferry. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year.

Dec 29, 2008 03:19 AM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Have you taken the new car on the ferry?  (Don't know if I'd want such proximity to salt water on a fresh new paint job just yet!)

Dec 29, 2008 02:30 PM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Kent - not yet . . . I was worried about the salt air - ha ha ha!! I still have to drive that bad boy to Tucson so we can have lunch!!! I have NOT forgotten.

Happy New Year!!!

Dec 29, 2008 02:41 PM