Balboa Fun Zone Celebrates 75 Years with Old School Prices

The Balboa Fun Zone is celebrating 75 years of fun by rolling back prices to when it first opened in 1936.

On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can enjoy carousel rides for five cents, ferris wheel rides for 10 cents, Harbor Cruise rides for 25 cents and admission to the ExplorOcean/Newport Harbor Nautical Museum for only five cents.

Patrick Moore, owner of the Balboa Fun Zone Rides, says the 75th anniversary is a time of mixed emotions as it is the last time visitors can see the historic carousel. It will be dismantled and removed on Sept. 30. According to the Orange County Register, the museum bought the land under the carousel in 2005 and declined to renew the Fun Zone's lease. Moore said he has enterered into a sales agreement with a local buyer for the carousel, but declined to give further details. 

“It’s truly a historic moment for Newport Beach,” Moore said. "It’s also a bittersweet occasion as the carousel has to be removed. It’s served as a great attraction for generations of locals and visitors alike.”

The anniversary celebration will also include live music, discounts on food and merchandise, free activities for children and model boat building at the Nautical Museum. Vintage Fords will be displayed at the adjacent corner of Balboa Boulevard and Palm Avenue, while the  Angela Louise will be docked in front of the ferris wheel, offering full beverage service and a taco bar.  

There will also be a raffle drawing every half hour, with all of the proceeds going to Newport Elementary School. 

Prizes include free boat rentals, Sea Doo rentals, whale watching cruise passes and more.

The Balboa Fun Zone is located at 600 E. Bay Ave. on the Balboa Peninsula. Parking is available in municipal lots located next to the Balboa Pier.