Balboa

On December 29, we took a stroll to Balboa Island which is a few blocks and over a bridge away from here... This location is a highlight for locals and tourists alike as it is accessible and compact, filled with specialty shops, food and close to the five minute ferry to Balboa Village (Balboa Peninsula) which draws you in with its yachts, activity and prominent ferris wheel. 

We really enjoyed not being tied to our car or parking spot and strolled around at ease. When we arrived, we happened upon a store that sold Balboa Bars-vanilla ice cream, dipped in chocolate and rolled in whatever topping you like. They also do this with frozen bananas! It was a yummy snack which kept us going until we hit the Balboa Candy store with its plethora of authentic treats. As we walked through the streets to get to the ferry, we were able to get a sense of what the beach houses were like in the area. Mainly they were small, yet beautiful with gardens but no real lawns to speak of. The cars were on the road and there were alleyways in behind them. Many of these homes were fun-lovingly decorated with lights for Christmas. I thought of friends and family at home when I saw huge lavender patches, cosmos flowers and garden greens along the way. 

After arriving at the village, the kids went directly to the arcade with Jeff. I went to take some pictures and look around. As I came out of the arcade, right in front of me was a soap opera star, 'Ryan Lavery' from All My Children...Cameron Mathison. He was riding a bike and approaching what we came to realize was his family to take pictures. He then continued and we noticed a woman ask to have her picture taken with him. I was ethically challenged to take his picture as he was with his family. :) Later, he came back to the area and took his family on the ferris wheel. He was just a normal guy, taking pics and getting animated with his kids; having a good old -fashioned time. A man with a very long lens stood behind me taking pics while he was on the wheel. Anyways, my first 'celebrity sighting' in So Cal! Fun!

We all enjoyed the ferris wheel, but not the smell near the water. Yuk! When we got back to the Island, we enjoyed a yummy meal at Wilmas and saw all the homes, streets and businesses transform as they were now brightly lit in the dark.