Going Bananas for Balboa Island

Brittany Menjivar says “snow way!” when she bumps into Frosty, Olaf, and Ronald Reagan in Newport Beach.

By Brittany MenjivarDecember 24, 2024

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, Balboa Island, Newport Beach, December 2024.

“Island where everyone decks out their house in Christmas lights” might sound like a loose premise for a Hallmark movie, but Balboa Island is very real, and even more twinkly than you can imagine. Just off the coast of Newport Beach, it’s known for reeling in Angelenos eager to immerse themselves in the magic of the season—and banana enthusiasts, I would learn, but more on that later. Always game for a mini road trip, I queued up my Christmas playlist and set off on my journey. I found the destination quite a-peel-ing.

The drive from Silver Lake to Balboa Island supposedly takes an hour and 15 minutes, but my friends and I found ourselves in the car for far longer. There’s only one single-lane bridge onto the island, meaning we were treated to snail’s-pace traffic for the final mile of our trip. At least the flock of cars suggested that we were embarking on a pilgrimage of great significance.

Predictably, parking was difficult. Garish lots were out of the question on this quaint island paradise, so we roamed the residential side streets for a spot (thankfully, none of them were marked with the cryptic signs we’re used to in Los Angeles). We ended up some distance from the town center, but that wasn’t a problem—every neighborhood block was an attraction in and of itself. Cheery inflatable penguins greeted me as I stumbled out of the back seat in my puffer jacket and earmuffs (those seaside winds can indeed get nippy). Inflatable reindeer in winter gear weren’t far behind. Palms strung with red and green bulbs transformed into Californian Christmas trees.

We took the long way to the restaurants and shops, walking parallel to the ocean. The intricate light displays adorning each house weren’t the only festive decorations we stumbled upon; we encountered quite a few iconic characters along the way. First, we posed for pics with an oddly lifelike representation of the Grinch—seriously, I had to stare to make sure I wasn’t being faked out by a street performer. Next, we came upon a towering snowman. “I’m Frosty. Touch me, I’m real!” declared a sign positioned next to a plush Jack Skellington. Like worshippers waiting to brush their fingers against a relic, tourists had formed a short line nearby; we waited our turn to give him a respectful poke. Other notable sights included a glowing Olaf from Frozen (2013), nutcrackers with eyes that followed you as you moved (just a little creepy), and a bronze bust of Ronald Reagan (more than a little creepy, but certainly a “conversation piece”).

Once we reached bustling Marine Avenue, we were barraged with bananas. (Not literally, thank goodness.) Banana-shaped signs dangled from storefronts; smiley-faced banana cutouts appeared mid–dance step. It turns out that Balboa Island is famous for its chocolate-covered banana treats. We hadn’t yet eaten dinner, so we instead opted for a meal at the Royal Hen. We ate our meals gathered around a bonfire outside—a perfectly proverbial way to take a break. (My advice: Order the brussels sprouts.)

We took the scenic route back to the car. Another stroll past the Ronald Reagan house revealed that the homeowners’ entire living room was packed with busts and statues. Shortly after, a home with a “Beary Christmas” theme caught our eye. Once we looked past the bears wielding candy canes, we noticed the plushies peering out from each window … dozens and dozens and dozens of them. Maybe Balboa Island is a bit out of the ordinary year-round—I’ll have to report back during the summer months.

Before turning inland, we took a moment to look out at the water. We spotted a few vessels draped in holiday finery for the upcoming Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. As if by a miracle, they started to move, the first lines of “Deck the Halls” ringing out across the island. A white Christmas may be a near-impossibility in SoCal—but Christmastime by the beach is the next best thing.

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Photo by contributor.

LARB Short Takes live event reviews are published in partnership with the nonprofit Online Journalism Project and the Independent Review Crew.