Question Newport Beach/Balboa Island
 

Just came back from wonderful trip to Laguna Beach. Drove north and discovered Newport Beach. Turned and found a bridge that led us to Balboa Island where we drove through lovely town, canals and a marina dotted with beautiful homes. Then we drove a bit more on PCH and turned to look at more homes. Walked a bit, went over a small bridge and found ourselves on a beautiful bluff overlooking, I think, Newport Beach and also a peninsula with boats. My question is, where were we? I went to websites to try to figure out where we were, and I'm just confused. We were on Balboa Island, correct? Then where was that bluff? I feel like we missed out on a lot of Newport Beach, like the fun zone,beach walk, ferry,etc. Can anyone give me clarification. Just a confused east coaster. Did we miss a lot? Thanks.

Sorry these stupid new nails keep hitting buttons before I am ready!

Sounds like you found Balboa, Newport Island and Lido Island, all of which are generally lumped under Newport Beach on the maps. There are many lovely areas that you stumble upon because they don't have a distinct geographic area. Newport Beach is separate from Balboa Island from Balboa Beach from Lido Island, etc etc. I guess us from So Cal are too used to all being labeled LA to worry about names.


ok now I am really confused because on my computer it shows my message 3 times.

Anyway, Balboa Island is an adoraboe private island where many old movie stars owned homes including John Wayne, and Lido Island is a major business center, and Newport Beach has several areas including Fashion Island which is on the bluffs with a major upscale shopping mall.

Appreciate your reply but I still can't figure out where that bluff was on the map - it overlooked a beach and a peninsula - it was gorgeous

I was trying to figure out where you were because I know the area. You did not say in which direction on PCH you headed after leaving Balboa Island.
I am guessing that you were at "Inspiration Point" overlooking Corona del Mar State Beach and the Newport Harbor and jetty.

Apologies, Corona del Mar Beach is run by the city.

well we wereheading back to Laguna so we were going south, made a turn to look at the houses and kept walking and wound up on this bluff

Thank you - I think it WAS Inspiration Point - we went over a berige clled Golden rod that led us to it - does that help

that would be BRIDGE

You were steps from my house; I can't believe you didn't stop by to say hello!

Glad you found Balboa Island, we used to rent a beach cottage thre every summer, great memories.

The bluff was probably Corona del Mar.