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Best Value on Balboa Island, Classic Cottage w/Amenities, Walk to Beach and Marine Avenue

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Outdoor dining
Outdoor dining
Exterior
2 bedrooms, free WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor dining

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 51100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Dryer
    Dryer

Explore the area

Map
Newport Beach, CA
  • Balboa Yacht Club
    2 min drive
  • Newport Beach Country Club
    3 min drive
  • Newport Dune
    3 min drive
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    22 min drive

Room options

About the neighborhood

Newport Beach

With a stay at this cottage in Newport Beach (Balboa Island), you'll be a 3-minute drive from Fashion Island and 6 minutes from Pelican Hill Golf Course. .This cottage is 12.1 mi (19.5 km) from Irvine Spectrum Center and 3.6 mi (5.7 km) from Crystal Cove State Park.

What's nearby

  • Fashion Island - 3 min drive - 1.7 miles
  • Balboa Pier - 5 min drive - 1.0 mile
  • Pelican Hill Golf Course - 6 min drive - 3.5 miles
  • Newport Pier - 8 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • Corona del Mar State Beach - 10 min drive - 2.6 miles

Getting around

  • Laguna Niguel Station - 20 min drive
  • John Wayne Airport (SNA) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cabo Cantina - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Sugar n Spice Original Frozen Banana - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Newport Landing Restaurant - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dad's Donut & Bakery Shop - ‬5 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.

Best Value on Balboa Island, Classic Cottage w/Amenities, Walk to Beach and Marine Avenue

Free Whale Watching, Bike Rentals, Prehistoric Pets! We are happy to offer our guests Free Admission to some of the area's top attractions each and every day! Create exciting memories, have more fun, and truly experience your destination!


We have implemented CDC Approved cleaning. Using additional sanitizing and anti-bacterial products, especially on "high-touch" items. Staying in a vacation rental can be safer than hotels and you control your environment.

SLP 12921

We are starting to take bookings for Summer 2025. Our bookings in the summer will run from Friday to Friday in 2025 with a 7-night minimum.

Enjoy and relax in this classic Balboa Island Beach Cottage. This rear unit of a duplex is a 2 bedroom/1 bath island cottage. This cottage will bring back memories of staying at Grandma and Grandpa's beach getaway! Good for family vacations and one of the best values on Balboa Island. As with all older homes, it is not perfect and we are making upgrades from time to time.

Located two blocks from Marine Avenue (Main Street) on Balboa Island, this older cottage is steps to all of the restaurants and short walk to the bay of the famous Balboa Island Ferry. The rear unit has a closed patio that provides a spacious outdoor mix of seating. The gated patio has two Adirondack chairs for relaxing! There is also a patio table and umbrella that seats up to six people. The patio is connected to the cottage through the classic dutch doors as it blends into the living, dining and kitchen areas. The living room, kitchen, and bathroom are located on the first floor and the bedrooms are located on the upper floor.

Sleeping Arrangements (sleeps 6)
• Master: Queen Bed, TV
• Guest Room 2: 1 twin bed and a twin bunk bed that sleeps 3
• Living Room: Sofa Bed (Full)

Living Room
• Medium TV (Connected to DirectTV)
• Seating for 8

Front Patio:
• Outdoor Dining for 6 People
• Gas BBQ

Kitchen / Dining
• Service for 6
• Oven, stove, microwave, coffee maker

Bathrooms
• Tub and Shower

Linens / Towels
• Included

Beach Items
• Beach Towels (at least 6)
• Beach chairs, umbrella, sand toys

Home Highlights
• Short walk to Marine Avenue for dining and shopping
• Short walk to Balboa Island Ferry
• Open Patio with Seating
• WI-FI
• Outside Parking (1 car)
• Hair Dryer / Iron
• Dog friendly home (additional pet fee required)

The living room and outdoor patio are separated by a classic dutch door that can fully open or just opened at the top that the entire family can use to enjoy the cool ocean breezes. The living room has a medium flatscreen TV so you can keep up with the game or the news. Just a few steps from the main living area, the kitchen serves as a central meeting point - which is fully stocked with cooking/dining gear and basic appliances. You can choose to cook your meal on the outdoor charcoal grill or in the kitchen!

As you continue through the house, there are private laundry facilities are conveniently located in the hallway that leads to the stairs to the bedrooms. The master bedroom has a Queen bed and TV.

The second bedroom is for the kids! It has a twin bed and a twin bunk bed. A closet with space for clothes. The hallway bathroom has a shower/tub combo.

To fulfill the sleeping arrangements for 6 total guests, please consider that the pullout living room sofa is a full size bed, best suited for 2 children or 1 adult.

PARKING: The parking for the rear unit is inside the gate. All guests are guaranteed a parking space. We do not recommend extremely large vehicles at this location. General neighborhood street parking (metered or unmetered) also in area.

Check-in time: 3:30 p.m.
Check-out time: 10 a.m.

Pets are allowed and the pet fee is $100 per pet up to two maximum.

Balboa Island is a gem whether you drive, walk, bike or take the Balboa Island Ferry to the island. Balboa Island’s Marine Avenue is home to chic coastal shops featuring unique nautical designs, stylish beach fashions, art and jewelry. It’s also home to quaint restaurants and bistros serving up a variety of dishes bursting with flavor. The selections on Balboa Island go beyond the local fresh seafood of the day with flavors of Italian, Mexican, and French-Swiss mixed in to the culinary choices.

There may be nothing more iconic than the island’s two famous desserts, the Balboa Bar and Frozen Banana. The local sweet tooth treasures have been mainstays for nearly 75 years, and have been imitated and replicated, including on the hit TV show “Arrested Development.” The tasty treats are dipped in chocolate and covered with a variety of coatings from nuts and sprinkles to cookie crumbs.

If you want to visit the DISNEYLAND, our property is located just under 20 miles to the resort and it's two main parks. After a great day at the parks, you can return back to your villa, refresh, relax, and take a stroll down to the beach.

If you are interested in the Laguna Beach PAGEANT OF MASTERS during July, this is a fantastic place to stay. Lyft or Uber is the easiest way to get to the event. You can enjoy a nice glass of wine on the balcony before your ride picks you up and takes you to Laguna Beach.

Additional local attractions include Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Whale Watching (included in the FREE FUN package), Aquarium of the Pacific, South Coast Plaza, and Fashion Island.

But a trip to Balboa Island wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Balboa Fun Zone or the Peninsula, where the Ferris wheel has stood for more than 80 years, and the world famous Balboa Island Ferry. The Ferry is about 10 minute walk from the cottage.

This cottage can also be rented in conjunction with the front unit for larger families.

We do allow dogs and there is a $100 pet fee that will be charged.

Please note that our properties may have electronic devices installed such as electronic locks, front door cameras, or noise monitors. There are no video devices inside the property.

SLP 12921
Make yourself comfortable in this cottage, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private furnished patio. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker, and housekeeping is provided on request.
This smoke-free cottage features bodyboards on site, surfing/body boarding nearby, and sailing nearby.
Guests will find features like wireless internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Scott Carpenter

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Street parking available
  • Limited onsite parking (max 1 space)

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Furnished patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Bodyboard
  • Golf
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Unit size: 1,100 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:30 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

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

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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 indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated 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
Property Registration Number SLP12921

Property is also known as

Best Value Classic W/amenities Walk Beach Marine Avenue
5520
Best Value Classic Cottage W/amenities Walk Beach Marine Avenue
Best Value Classic Cottage W/amenities Walk Beach Marine Avenue

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 80 out of 92 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 92 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 92 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 92 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 92 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

kati p.

Liked: Cleanliness
House
The location was wonderful. The house needed many updates.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thomas D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice vacation rental.
Clean , well kept, good location.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming beach cottage
This was our second time staying here and we had a great time. This place works well for our family and we love the enclosed back patio space for the kids to play. It is clean, well stocked and comfortable. We enjoyed using the kayak and bikes. Scott was very responsive and helpful. Thank you for a great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lynn P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Stay
We really enjoyed our stay at this wonderful cottage! The process of checking in was so easy and the cottage had everything we needed. The location was great too!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Natalie W.

Liked: Cleanliness
great cottage
Perfect for us. Comfortable and convenient. Prefer if VRBO did not use itrips as their site is difficult to manage and does not reflect actual stay information.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls Getaway
Perfect spot for old friends to gather.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nothing but smiles
Spent a beautiful November weekend at the great location. Closer to downtown, nice private patio and a relaxing living space.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy E.

Liked: Cleanliness
local stay
we live close to balboa island and decided to do a staycation . had a great time , great location .quaint and comfortable
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gail B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Trial run with dogs
This is the first time we have traveled with our dogs and the fenced in yard was perfect. The location is excellent and a short walk to Marine St The house is very much in its original state. My husband and I are older and the stairs to the bedrooms were a bit steep for us to maneuver so we planned our trips up and down the stairs to limit the need to use the stairs. The one bathroom is downstairs and worked out well got us. This property would not be suitable for people with mobility issues. No air conditioning as mentioned in description of property but portable fans are provided. We only needed it in the bedroom and the fan aired the room sufficiently. All in all a good trip. The biggest bonus is the on property parking provided.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice
Cute, quaint, clean
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janna N., San Diego

Liked: Cleanliness
Labor day weekend
Nice getaway with family. You can walk to restaurants, shopping and the ferry.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Darrell N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great price for the location!
Overall, we loved staying on Balboa Island. Great location and very cozy. The only (2) things are that we wish the shower worked better and it seemed most of the fans were broken and not usable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carrie W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ideal island cottage getaway
We loved this charming Balboa Island cottage that has everything you need for a relaxing, fun getaway. It’s ideally situated close to shops and restaurants and the bayfront while being quiet and peaceful. The property managers are friendly and responsive. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Courtney H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great rental...but
I have rented many VRBOs in the past and this rental deserves 5 stars; HOWEVER, there are a few details that need mentioning. The details that matter most were great: super clean, great location, new comfortable clean furniture, comfortable beds with soft sheets, the kitchen came with decent pots and pans and plenty of dishes, glasses, coffee mugs, etc., easy check in, speedy wi-fi, and the parking spot was also wonderful. I thought it would be annoying with the only bathroom downstairs and the two bedrooms upstairs, but the rooms were only a short stair case away; it was fine. Also, it is just a cute beach cottage and there are not many small, cute cottages left on Balboa Island. The HOWEVER comes from small details that can matter to some people. For instance, this cute cottage has unnecessary, stained curtains everywhere and some of the screens are torn. The shower caddy is rusted and broken. The top bunk has a ladder built into the footboard, which is inaccessible because it is pushed up against a wall. In order to use the top bunk, my son had to step on the bottom mattress, put a foot on the side table, and hike himself over the bars-not ideal. And, the bathroom could really use a new vanity. These are small fixes the owner should really look into, but as far as my stay went, these details were nonconsequential. Bottom line: I would stay here again...we loved it!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lore L., NEWPORT BEACH, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic little cottage on Balboa Island
It’s a lovely property. It looks just like the pictures. Host is very responsive and easy to communicate with. Quiet location that is within easy walking distance We LOVED our outside patio area. We will certainly return in the future.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandi S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Darling original cottage on the Island
The cottage is an original, but the owners have stocked everything needed for a comfortable stay. I loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emilie K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Holiday stay
Always enjoy our time in the private back cottage. New couches are a plus.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Debbie

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a very comfortable place to stay. I liked what was included. We had nearby family come by and the sitting area was spacious and comfortable.

8/10 Good

Patrick W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Balboa
The house is old. The bedrooms are upstairs and there’s no bathroom upstairs only one small bathroom downstairs. The house is not located on Marine Avenue! The TVs need to be upgraded. Location is excellent! Balboa Island is a beautiful place! The location is close to everything.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome location.
We enjoyed our 10 day stay. The location is perfect- 2 blocks away from the Main Street, and 1 block from the bay front. Very quaint home with plenty of seating. We loved our private parking space/play yard for the kids. We stay on Balboa Island when we go to Disneyland- it’s only20 minutes away if you use the carpool lane. We plan on coming back. Loved it!
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Erin W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Stay
My boy friend, sister and dog stayed in the house. It was a perfect spot close to the water and restaurants . Very pet friendly area. We had a blast. The only thing I would change is having AC in the bedrooms but it was unusually hot and is probably fine the rest of the year. Awesome stay! Thank you for everything!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paul Z., Peoria, Az

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Getaway!
It was everything and more then represented! Very cozy and comfy with everything included. We loved our stay and would love to stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Stephanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful family getaway
Wonderful time. Unfortunate neighbor construction noises but all in all a wonderful time
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cherie W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect beach cottage in the perfect location!
We loved staying here! The house had everything we needed. The private patio was perfect for little family bbq’s. The shops and restaurants are a quick 5 minute walk. We enjoyed walking into town after dinner to grab candy from the candy shop or balboa bars while watching the sun set. We didn’t want to leave.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dana S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Another wonderful stay
This was our second time staying here and once again we loved it. It was myself, my 12yo, my sister, and her 19yo. Our favorite things about the place: the location (absolutely perfect); the spacious common area with three (3!) sofas, so we never felt crowded at all; the spacious and lovely patio; the parking space; how cheerful it feels both inside and out; and the reasonable price. And the location (I know I already said that but really, it's perfect!). Also love the management/owners--our first day there we noticed that there were two fans but they weren't working so we reached out to Scott and he was there within a couple of hours with several fans for us to choose from. They are very friendly and really want to make sure everything is to your liking. As I said in my first review, the only thing I didn't like was leaving!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022