I can’t remember what my daughter was watching last week that mentioned a ferry ride- I think it was Dora the Explorer, but I’m not to sure. As soon as the show was over she started asking me about ferries. I explained to her what a ferry was and told her that this weekend I would take her on a ferry ride. There are only two ferries (I’m not counting the Catalina ones) in operation in Southern California. One is the ferry that runs between Coronado Island and San Diego and the other is the one that connects Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula. It’s a fun five minute ride that you and your children will enjoy. We always make a day trip out of it by exploring Balboa Island, one of my favorite places in Southern California.
I know you might be asking why would she start blogging about the beaches when summer is almost over? It just so happens that I think the best time to explore the Southland beaches is after Labor Day. September and the beginning of October are always warm and the crowds have dwindled down across the beach cities. It is the perfect time to visit. The ferry ride is fun and totally inexpensive. Adults are $1.oo , children 5-12 ,are 50 cents and cars with drivers are $2.oo(each passenger is additional) and children under 5 are free. Your kids will love it and you will love exploring Balboa Island. For additional info click here.

Balboa Island Ferry
Balboa Peninsula Fun Zone area (follow the signs)

Hours: Ferries leave every few minutes

Sunday through Thursday: 6:30 a.m. to midnight,

Friday and Saturday nights until 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

SUMMER HOURS 6 am to 2 am Daily

Rates:

Car and Driver: $2.00;

Motorcycles and Mopeds: $1.50;

Adult with Bicycles: $1.25 cents;

Children with bicycles $.75 cents