||> WHAT IS BALBOA..? HISTORY OF BALBOA PENINSULA
What is Balboa?
"We can't tell you how to dance Balboa, but we can tell you when you are not dancing Balboa."
from dancers around Balboa's start.
Origins of Balboa
It's hard to get a consensus view concerning the origins of Balboa. Many dance historians state that the dance was a derivation of Foxtrot, others believe it evolved from the Charleston or Collegiate Shag.
Willie Desatof an original Balboa dancer of great distinction believes it evolved from the Rhumba.
There were many different pre-existing dances around at the time and several of the old Balboa masters also knew many of these other dances. Balboa is an 8 count dance so a connection with other 8 count dances would be consistent. However, this should not rule out a connection to the 6 count dances, as evolution is a powerful thing! Although we can't be sure as to the precise origins, it does seem likely that early Balboa dancers were probably influenced by their knowledge of other dances around at that time.
Balboa Peninsula History
The "Balboa" got its name from the coastal Balboa Peninsula at Newport Beach, California. People from the Los Angeles area who'd seen it started referring to it as 'The Balboa', or the dance being done in Balboa. So just what is the famous Balboa Peninsula? Why did so many people travel here and become exposed to this dance? Take the tour below for an over-view of the dance's original birthplace and some of it's highlights.
- The Balboa Inn (1929)
- The Balboa Hotel (1905)
- The Rendezvous Ballroom (1928)
- The Balboa Ferry (1919)
- The Balboa Fun Zone (1936)
- Soto's (1935) Japanese Curio Shop
- The Catalina Flight (1912)
- The Balboa Fire Station (1927)
- The Balboa Pavilion (1906)
- Rights on December 15, 1791.
in its day, was the number one hostelry on the Orange County Coast and today Balboa Inn The Resort is one of the most popular resorts on the West Coast. The Inn has been remodeled and modernized a number of times but its graceful Spanish architecture remains virtually unchanged today. At one time the Balboa Theater, operated by the colorful, hard-drinking, hard-swearing character Madame La Rue, stood next to the Balboa Inn. our early photo of Main St. shows the theater on the far right.
was located on the site where our Balboa Post Office stands today. Built in only 10 days to be ready for the arrival of the big Pacific Electric Red Cars, this two-story, single wall structure wasn't pretty but it housed thousands of tourists throughout the years.
was Southern California's premier dance hall throughout the Swing Era of the 30's and 40's. All the "big bands" - Stan Kenton, Dorsey Brothers, Harry James, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman - played at the Rendezvous until 1966 when it succumbed to fire. Today a condominium stands on the locale. A marker on the corner of Washington Street and Ocean Front commemorates the site.
began as a skiff, "The Ark", powered by an outboard motor and carried oars ... 
just in case. Later the ferry graduated to a cumbersome craft, "The Fat Ferry", which could carry only one car. Founded by a Balboa Island pioneer, Joe Beek, the ferry, running between the Balboa peninsula and Balboa Island, remains in the Beek family. The sleek modern craft crossing the bay today has come a long way ... and, they each carry 3 autos as well as passengers.
was built on Abbott's Landing where Mr. Abbott brought soil from the mainland and planted the Peninsula's first trees. At one time the Fun Zone, a miniature amusement park, covered the entire block between Palm Street and Washington Street on the Bay Front. The ferris wheel and the merry-go-round remain, nostalgic memories from an era which provided pleasure to generations of visitors to Balboa.
stood at the corner of Bay Avenue and Main Street. Soto's was headquarters for all the curious Balboa youngsters who pawed over his exotic merchandise. While Soto was one of the most loved men in Balboa, he fell victim to World 
War II hysteria and, with thousands of other loyal Japanese-Americans, was sent to an internment camp. He was sent to one of the worst, Poston, located on the Colorado River in Arizona. Soto never made it back to his beloved shop.
Today a plaque at the foot of the Balboa Pier honors the memory of Glenn Martin, aviation pioneer, who, on May 10, 1912, flew from Balboa Bay to Avalon and back in a primitive hydroplane which he built in Santa Ana. The flight took 37 minutes and was the longest, fastest over-water flight ever recorded at that time.
was for years the only governmental building in Balboa. While primarily a fire station it did double duty on Saturday nights as an impromptu holding cell for the numerous citizens arrested for over-consumption of alcohol during the rowdy days of Prohibition. Balboa was pure honky tonk in those days. Today the location of the Fire Station/Police Station is a parking lot adjacent to a public restroom ...known at the time as a "comfort station."
is the unquestioned focal point of the Balboa Peninsula. Built as a Victorian bath 
house and terminal for the Pacific Electric Red Car. Fashionably dressed bathers arrived from the Greater Los Angeles area to spend the day at Balboa frolicking in the Bay. The Pavilion has been home to the big bands of the 30's & 40's, bingo parlor, 
amusement arcade, sport fishing, harbor cruises, Catalina ferry service, seafood restaurant, shell museum, and the first home of the Newport Harbor Art Museum. The Balboa Pavilion, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is still the center for marine recreation in Newport Beach. Look to the right sidebar for a shot of the current Pavilion as it stands on the coast.
The granite base of the 80-foot flag pole, topped with the 20x30 foot flag, is inscribed with the Preamble to the Constitution and the First Ten Amendments.
The Balboa Area Today
Today Balboa Peninsula is like many other communities in America with a rich history. Visit and wander among the historic spots they've saved such as the Balboa Pavilion, the boardwalk and the Ferris wheel. Then head to their modern costal 'playground' with kayaking, arts and more. If you want further news on Balboa Peninsula, it's on-going renovations and activities there,