We continued our drive, taking the bridge over to Balboa Island and making our way across it to the ferry.
Dolphin topiaries
Tsunamis are sometimes mistakenly called tidal waves, however, they have very different orgins. A tidal wave is a weather-assisted high tide that rises fast enough to look like a wave (also referred to as storm surges). Tsunamis are waves caused by a geological event which involves a vertical displacement of seawater, such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide or meteorite. 'Tsunami’ comes from Japanese word meaning “harbor wave” since the fishermen didn’t notice the waves in the open ocean but only saw them once they hit the coast.
Crossing the bridge to Balboa Island which was filled with many touristy shops and expensive homes and rentals.
The line wasn't too long at the ferry. The biggest part of the wait was the fact that the ferry could only take three cars at a time.
We are currently at the 'i' on Balboa Island
A ferry departs for the Fun Zone.
The Balboa Pavilion, completed in 1906, was built to attract real estate buyers to this "swamp and overflow" land. Today, it is a marine recreational facility as well as Newport Beach's oldest standing building.
Keep fish happy.
He looks a lot like a surfer!
In no time, it was our turn. We drove onto the waiting ferry, parked the car and stepped out to enjoy the ride.
Driving onto the ferry
Leaving Balboa Island behind
Bill films the adventure!
Arriving on the peninsula
A solar-powered parking pay station
The Balboa Fun Zone was first started in 1936, slowly evolving into what it is today.
A wall mural
Burt the Bull Shark...
... and the Fish Pipe were added in 2013. This giant ball, partially filled with water, spins and creates a sort of self-contained waterslide for the person inside.
Balboa Village circa 1918...
... and today.
The Balboa Inn was built 1929.
We stopped for a delicous lunch at BJ's.
Some incredible bruschetta
An extremely delicious mozarella and tomato salad with balsamic drizzle
A mini pizza with fire roasted red bell peppers
Unfortunately they didn't have the Abbey Normal beer on tap, but what a great name!
We strolled to Peninsula Park and wandered a short way down the pier to get a view of the beach then headed back.
The Balboa Pier was built in 1940.
The haze still dominates the day.
The most amazing desert ever... frozen cheesecake on a stick!
The rest of the evening was spent working on pieces of my return drive to Colorado. Since Dave no longer had a place for me to stay in Vegas, I looked into booking a hotel for Sunday. Prices looked amazing online... until you actually tried to book something. Then suddenly a mysterious "resort fee" would almost double the cost. After a lot of effort, I was finally able to find a place where the price was actually the price.
A typical example
