Join the Fun at the Balboa Fun Zone!

80 Years of Wholesome Family Fun

It’s been 80 years that the six-block area of the Balboa Fun Zone has been beckoning kids of all ages to its bayside rides and arcades. It’s safe to say that if you grew up in the Orange County area, you’ve been to the Balboa Fun Zone a time or two. I remember my first visit like it was yesterday. It was the early-1990’s, my uncle was visiting from out of town and he took me across the Balboa Island Ferry from Balboa Island to Balboa Peninsula. The giant Ferris wheel and bright primary colors of the Fun Zone caught my eye. I knew I was in for a day full of fun. Now the Balboa Fun Zone is celebrating it’s 80th year of wholesome family fun this summer and everyone young, old and in between is invited to join the celebration. We were invited to “rediscover the Balboa Fun Zone” last weekend, all opinions are our own. 

lollipop!

From the top of the Ferris Wheel!

Nostalgic Fun

The nostalgia, look and feel of the Balboa Fun Zone hasn’t changed too much over the years. A large majority of the Fun Zone is still owned and operated by a small group of families and friends. As you stroll the boardwalk, listening to the laughter of children and the music from the Barbershop Quartet, that is exactly the feel you get a feel of days gone by, of popcorn and cotton candy and corn dogs, a sense of being a kid again, of what it used to be like long ago. I am a die-hard fan of anything nostalgic and the Balboa Fun Zone is the place to be. 

Balboa Fun Zone Barbershop Quartet

I brought only my daughter for a day of girl-time fun in Balboa. My boys had baseball anyway. We were invited to got on all the rides and eat a few sweet treats along the way. We had a truly wonderful time and we can’t wait to go back this summer. Side note: Balboa is our favorite summer beach! We hang out right by the pier! 

Discovery Cube’s Ocean Quest

Back when I was in high school, the popular ride on the Balboa Fun Zone was the bumper cars. Around this house somewhere I still have a photograph of my friends and I on those bumper cars. Today, the Balboa Fun Zone is not only a place for fun, but also for learning. Recently, ExplorOcean merged with Discovery Cube Orange County to create Discovery Cube’s Ocean Quest. Located right in the heart of the Balboa Fun Zone is an awesome little place to get tons of hands on learning. Discovery Cube’s Ocean Quest inspires, educates and engages the explorer within everyone and develops skills through interactive STEM experiences centered on the principles of ocean literacy.

Balboa Candy – Salt Water Taffy!

Balboa Candy

Few things remind me of the good ol’ days like a good piece of salt water taffy. And not only does Balboa Candy carry the sweetest salt water taffy confections, they also carry the craziest, largest selection too. You can get your standard raspberry or orange cream, all the way to spicy hot and chicken and waffles. I let my girls fill up our candy basket to the near brim with sweet salt water taffy. 

Ocean Motion

Coconut Tree Climb

The Rides

Part of our hosted day at the Balboa Fun Zone consisted of unlimited rides. My oldest daughter took full advantage of the experience and tried each and every ride available. Her favorite was the “Ocean Motion” which is a cool ride to flip, bounce and fly with a bungee cord apparatus that launches riders up to twenty feet into the air. Riders must weight between 30-180 pounds. We also had the opportunity to ride the Ferris wheel a few times. Riding the original 1936 Balboa Fun Zone Ferris wheel is an experience in and of itself. It’s truly magical and I love it. 

Beach City Pops

Head on down to the Balboa Fun Zone for a day full of fun!