Balboa Fun Zone

Al Anderson opened the Fun Zone in 1936, on the spot that had been Abbott’s Landing, where paddlewheel steamers once came and went. Its first big draws were a small beach and a 45-foot Ferris wheel, bought secondhand from a Seattle company.

The Ferris wheel is still turning, and at night it’s one of the most photographed sights on the peninsula. A few small boardwalk rides keep it company.

New local owners bought the block in 2021 and are restoring it, with a larger redevelopment planned that keeps its vintage character. The Balboa Pavilion and the Balboa Island ferry are right next door.

Sources

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balboa_Fun_Zone
2. balboafunzone.com/ferris-wheel
3. balboafunzone.com/about
4. newportbeachindy.com/balboa-fun-zone-sold-to-third-generation-newport-beach-family
5. sceneoc.com/p/the-balboa-fun-zone-of-your-childhood-is-changing