Entire home

Little Balboa Island, Custom Home & Water Views, 85+ Unanimous 5 Star Reviews!

Photo gallery for Little Balboa Island, Custom Home & Water Views, 85+ Unanimous 5 Star Reviews!

Casa la Piña
Casa la Piña
Looking south to Newport Harbor and across to Balboa Peninsula with ocean beyond
Looking south to Newport Harbor
Master bedroom deck

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 10232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Newport Beach, CA
  • Fashion Island
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Balboa Pier
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Corona del Mar State Beach
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    ‪24 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Loft Bedroom

1 Single Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

Master

1 King Bed

Second Master

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Master Bath

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Second Master

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Little Balboa Island, Custom Home & Water Views, 85+ Unanimous 5 Star Reviews!

Please read ANY of the more than 85 unanimous Five-Star reviews (almost twice our nearest competitor) that we have received in seven years on VRBO; or sort by "Guest Rating" that ranks Casa la Pina #1 out of approximately 250 rentals that VRBO erroneously aggregates into a search for “Balboa Island” including properties from Costa Mesa to Corona Del Mar and the Balboa Peninsula (NOT the island). RENTERS BEWARE: ONLY about 100 of these 250 properties are actually ON Balboa Island!

Either method above tells the story of this exceptional 4 bedroom / 3.5 bath custom home with water views, just 50 yards from the waterfront in three directions, on the southeast corner of "Little" Balboa Island. Designed by noted local architect Ian Harrison and built in 2004, our Cape Cod home offers the best of Balboa Island. Located less than a quarter mile (3 blocks) from Marine Avenue where blocks of lovely shops and restaurants have been providing retail amenities to the area for more than 100 years.

Our home is NOT your basic worn & torn "beach rental" and may not be the best house for families with lots of young children. The property includes high-end design, construction, appliances, finishes and furnishings. We offer wide plank hardwood flooring and tongue & groove ceilings on the ground level, nine foot ceilings or more throughout the house, a "state-of-the-art" 65” OLED high definition TV in living room with enhanced sound, as well as a FOUR zone Nest-controlled air conditioning system with variable air volume (air conditioning is rare among vacation rentals on Balboa Island). An ELEVATOR is available for senior citizens (upon request) and there is a fully equipped laundry room with granite counters and a sink INSIDE the house (NOT in garage as with many rentals on Balboa Island). We also provide a large parking space in our attached garage that comfortably accommodates a full size car (opposite our own car that we frequently leave covered in a very tidy two-car garage); AND there is abundant free parking on the streets of Little Balboa Island. As well, our home has a fully furnished rooftop deck on the third floor with an array of views of the water and Fashion Island on the mainland.

We call our home "Casa la Pina", or in English, “The Pineapple House”, and you will note the theme in our decorating. If curious, Google “pineapple meaning”, as the pineapple has been a sign of hospitality dating back to the days of the tall sailing ships when sea captains brought the tropical delicacy back to their northern homes and left them on their porch as a sign of their return and an open invitation for friends to visit. Pineapples were discovered by Christopher Columbus in the Caribbean on his first trip to the "New World" and they remain a symbol of welcome throughout Western Civilization today.


LINENS & TOWELS: High quality sheets, pillows, comforters & duvets (The Ritz Carlton has nothing on us - all are professionally laundered) as well as bath towels & beach towels; ARE provided!!!


FIRST-TIME RENTERS: VRBO requires us to book through their website, so we only have 24 hours to review and approve first-time tenants that book online and use a credit card. If you book this way, please provide background information with your online inquiry (where from, purpose of visit to Balboa Island, age of each person in your group, acknowledgement that you have NO smokers or pets in your group, etc...).

Please understand that we take great pride in, and care of, our property. We encourage you to review our listing in detail. Read ANY of our 80 unanimous Five Star reviews. We promise you an exceptional rental experience, but want to know a bit about our first time clients, in advance, while hoping to build long-term relationships that are mutually beneficial.


AERIAL TOUR:

There WAS a link in our listing to a general video about Balboa Island, but VRBO has deleted it for some unexplained reason. It's less than two minutes long and gives you a quick overview of why Balboa Island is one of the best and most unique vacation spots in the world! I’m sure it, and many others like it, can still be found with a quick search on Google.


OTHER RENTAL PROPERTY:

We have another exceptional home located directly on Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida. This totally renovated 3 bedroom / 3 bath condominium (#9382289) is newly listed and requires a 90 day minimum stay due to HOA bylaws. This incredible condo enjoys the same high quality construction and furnishings as Casa la Piña. Check it out if ever in North Florida near Saint Augustine, the Sawgrass TPC golf course, (home of the PGA’s Players Championship); or the East Coast’s Mayo Clinic.

Property manager

Mark & Cindy

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please supervise, particularly on rooftop deck.
default

Events

No events allowed
Dinner guests, sure, but NO large loud parties.
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please, NO smoking! Never, ever...
Our 10th bed is a rollaway that can be found in the master bedroom closet. Also, we can practically only provide an initial supply of paper products.
$2,500 refundable Damage Deposit required.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Dinner guests, sure, but NO large loud parties.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock
Property Registration Number SLP11939

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Newport Beach

Located in Balboa Island, a neighbourhood in Newport Beach, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the beach. Fashion Island and Irvine Spectrum Center are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Crystal Cove State Park and Orange County Great Park. Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and Balboa Fun Zone are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Newport Beach, CA

What's nearby

  • Newport Beach Country Club - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Fashion Island - 3 min drive - 2.8 km
  • Pelican Hill Golf Course - 6 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Balboa Pier - 6 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Corona del Mar State Beach - 13 min drive - 4.3 km

Getting around

  • Laguna Niguel Station - 20 min drive
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cabo Cantina - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sugar n Spice Original Frozen Banana - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪China Cove Beach - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Ruby's Diner - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Little Balboa Island, Custom Home & Water Views, 85+ Unanimous 5 Star Reviews! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Little Balboa Island, Custom Home & Water Views, 85+ Unanimous 5 Star Reviews!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Little Balboa Island, Custom Home & Water Views, 85+ Unanimous 5 Star Reviews!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Little Balboa Island, Custom Home & Water Views, 85+ Unanimous 5 Star Reviews! located?

Located in Balboa Island, this beachfront holiday home is in the city centre and within 1 mi (2 km) of Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, Balboa Fun Zone and Balboa Pavilion. Newport Dune and Balboa Peninsula Beaches are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 86 out of 86 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 86 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 86 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 86 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 86 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Katharine H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sweet Little Balboa Island

We visit Balboa Island, at least twice a year to see family. Our visit to this house on Little Balboa Island did not disappoint. Everything you could possibly need was available in the home. The home was inviting with personalized touches which I always appreciate. I would say communication with the owners was excellent and only needed for one question we had. We would definitely stay again in this lovely home and in the future
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

jill d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Getaway

The house and location were perfect. Very elegant yet comfortable. Everything was top notch. The owners were extremely accommodating and easy to deal with. I would highly recommend this property. We cannot wait to book again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Luanne G., Shell Beach, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely outstanding!

Incredibly beautiful home with high end everything! Spotless and extremely comfortable for all! Perfect location. Beautiful beach and fabulous restaurants close by. It was heaven. Thank you Mark for all your care and sharing your exquisite home with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janice O., Los Angeles, California

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Make memories here!

This home on little balboa island is the perfect location rental. Located on a quiet, pretty street, steps away from the sand on the bay - short walk to shops on Marine Ave. Biking around the island is easy. Walking is wonderful along all the bay fronts. Walking onto the property, first you are greeted with a beautiful patio, full of lovely flowers offering that cozy vibe, for your morning cup of coffee. The first floor is wonderful ( fav of mine the tongue and groove ceiling) - furnished with very nice decor, spacious and clean. Laundry room off the first floor is wonderful not in garage. Kitchen clean, fully stocked walk in pantry with any appliance needed. Lots of spices,dishes, cups super cute pineapple wine glasses. Lots of utensils. Upstairs, 3 bedrooms all beautifully decorated with lovely linens on all the beds. Master bedroom is spacious,clean,pretty,fireplace and a beautiful vaulted ceiling. Beautiful clean lines,towels,beach towels,soaps, laundry detergent etc are all available. Bathrooms are all super clean, spacious. Master bath has an oversize shower. 3rd floor bunk room is great having its own nest thermostat- no heat rising worries. Rooftop is right off the bunk room. A nice place to enjoy views and a perfect place for al fresco dining. This home is light,bright,clean and equipped with extra comforts for a wonderful stay- plus garage parking - a must on the island Communication with host was beyond perfect. Owner has pride of ownership.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Truly Fantastic Balboa Rental

Casa La Pina is one of the very best properties that we have rented. The house itself is gorgeous and very well appointed with all conveniences one could dream of. We particularly appreciated the extremely comfortable master bed, sheets and plush towels. We also loved the charming and quiet locale on the little island. Finally, Mark is a delightful host and was very solicitous about our needs and comfort. A true find.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Albie V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

This is a fantastic home. Very clean and well maintained in a beautiful neighborhood. I highly recommend it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle R., Larkspur

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful house, perfect location

This is a beautiful house, just like the pictures show. The details of this home are wonderful and it feels like your own home not like most rental homes. The house is so well maintained and does not feel like a worn rental house. It has a great layout with all the bedrooms upstairs and the living spaces downstairs. The master bedroom is very spacious and the 1 year old in our family was able to sleep in his portable crib in the walk in closet in the master. It's like another bedroom for an infant which is very helpful. My 9 & 12 year olds loved the bunk beds on the 3rd floor. There was plenty of space for the 9 of us. The house location on "little" Balboa Island was so convenient and peaceful. There are less people driving and biking on little Balboa and we felt quite spoiled there. The house is only a 2 block walk to the main street with shops & restaurants. And we spent most evenings on the front patio with wine & cheese, enjoying the firepit. Mark was a wonderful host and very communicative upfront and during our stay with any questions. We will definitely be back again!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Janet C., Ringwood, NJ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome stay on Little Balboa

We all enjoyed a wonderful week on Balboa Island. This home is awesome and Little Balboa is the best place to stay - beautiful, quiet and walking distance to everything including shopping and restaurants. We hope to return here soon!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Shea W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

Couldn’t have asked for a better spot to escape the Arizona heat for a week! House is gorgeous, clean and fully equipped! Best rental experience we have ever had! Location is perfect for shopping, dining etc We will definitely be returning next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Vacation!

We had the best time at Casa la Pina. Mark was a wonderful property manager, extremely responsive. The property was top-notch all the way. We felt like we were at a four seasons property. Highly recommend! You will not regret it.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

kim m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Easter

This home is very nice and Mark was super helpful! The little Island is the perfect spot for family time, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful harbor. Thanks for a lovely Easter vacation!
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cathy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

fantastic

Fantastic home, host and location. I look forward to returning soon!!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Katie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect getaway!

Mark and Cindy’s home is five stars! From the moment you walk through the front door, you’re met with beauty and comfort. It’s the perfect home away from home — clean, updated, includes everything in the kitchen to pull off a great meal and, best, two hosts that care about your experience and are incredibly prompt in answering questions. My family and I made such wonderful memories during our stay and would love the opportunity to do it again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tim U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Summer stay on the little island

The property was just as the pictures portrayed and the house had everything you need to have an enjoyable summer vacation on Balboa Island. The little Island is a great place to stay because its a a quiet neighborhood with no thru traffic yet it's walking distance to restraurants, shopping and the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tim H., Phoenix

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, well appointed property in great location

Very luxurious property in an excellent location for exploring Newport Beach. Shopping, restaurants, and the beach are within a short walk. Short as in 5 minutes. Beautiful finishes in the rental, and all the tools you would need if you want to cook. The pictures online are accurate and true. Mark was wonderful to work with when we had questions about how things worked there, or needed some local guidance. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Myna M., Seabrook, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceptional - 5 Star Quality!

The home is perfect! The location is perfect! The homeowner is simply the best! I received the best communication, details, flexibility, and genuinely impeccable level of customer service! Exceptional! Highly Recommend!
Stayed 9 nights in May 2020

10/10 Excellent

margaret c., Los Angeles

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

5 Star

Everything with this home is as described....very comfortable, great location, and fully equipped. As the VRBO description suggests, this is a home not a rental.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Meredith R., Dallas, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

LOVELY from beginning to end!

What a lovely experience, renting from Mark & Cindy! They were thoughtful and attentive even before we got there - I knew we were in good hands. Once we got there, it only got better. Their kitchen was a dream to work in. The beds and sheets were super high quality. The house was decorated for Christmas which of course kept us in good spirits. They had great recommendations for the island. Three generations all thoroughly enjoyed! Highly highly recommend renting.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Glen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Above and Beyond Other Rentals

My wife and I are very experienced in renting vacation properties. We have rented properties up and down the beach from LA to San Diego and in the Palm Springs CA area. We have worked with various agencies and property owners. I can easily declare that our Thanksgiving Holiday stay at this property was probably the best rental experience we have ever had. The quality of accommodations was outstanding. Everything from the first class bed linens and towels to the well stocked, modern kitchen to the comfortable family room/sitting area was enjoyed by our family of six adults and two small children. There are beautiful outdoor seating areas and a clean and spacious garage. This property is clearly a step above the typical Newport Beach/Balboa area rental. Our whole group agreed that this was the cleanest and best maintained property we have ever rented. Another important factor for us when we rent a property is our level of trust and communication with the property owner. Mark was amazing to work with and he made the process so simple and efficient. He provided us with excellent instructions on the property and he gave us great local tips. Mark was a joy to work with. It goes without saying...this will be our "go-to" property the next time we are looking to rent a place in the Newport Beach area.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Judy N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Enjoyed Our Stay at Casa la Pina

Casa la Pina is a lovely home that fit our three generational family's needs. It has many amenities including a well-stocked kitchen and laundry room, quality towels and bedding , a bbq and comfortable patio. Mark, the owner, is a responsive host and delightful to work with.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Denise R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little Island Gem

We had a wonderful stay in this fantastic house, on this special little island. The house was clean, comfortable and light-filled. Easy check-in and check-out. Excellent location as well. Thanks to our hosts for a great stay and for lending us their beautiful home! We will be back...

10/10 Excellent

Sharla W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family getaway

We are a family of 7 adults plus one 2 year old. We had a wonderful experience here. Was very comfortable & well furnished. Beds were comfortable & house was clean. Owner extremely easy to work with. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nicole T.

Home away from home

This vacation rental is a true beauty. It was our home away from home for a month this spring. The home itself is in pristine condition, the interior decor is beautiful and the home is well equipped for a very comfortable stay. The neighbors were all very welcoming and made our stay even more meaningful. Everything was within walking distance which we loved. Morning walked to Dad's donuts or Wilma's Patio for breakfast. The ferry to Big Balboa island is also walking distance. Mark and Cindy were more than accommodating, they went out of their way to see that our stay was a 5 star experience. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Stayed 29 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

The Best Rental Property on Little Balboa Island

This immaculate property offers the ultimate in Little Balboa Island living! It’s about 50 feet to the water & a two minute walk to Marine Ave with restaurants, shopping, banana stands & more. The open concept floorplan is great for gathering in the family room, which also has French doors that lead to the front patio for entertaining “al fresco.” It’s the perfect place to spend time with family & friends. And with fresh linen & towel services, it’s better than the Ritz!
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

William P.

Our Stay in Casa la Pina

First of all, you won’t do better than Casa la Pina. The hosts are the best...accommodating and responsive, promptly answering any questions. The home is spacious, welcoming and equipped with just about anything you can imagine. You can walk everywhere while enjoying shops, great restaurants, amazing sunsets and even the grocery store. You can create a gourmet meal or easily bring in take out and soak in the delightful pleasure of the fire pit as the evenings cool. Great shopping opportunities are an easy drive away. We even enjoyed a fabulous symphony concert one night. A week doesn’t allow enough time for all possibilities available from this home away from home. Next trip we will venture farther to other south Orange County sites. There will be a next time.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2018

About the host

Hosted by Mark & Cindy

Host profile image
We both grew up back East, but have now lived in California for more than 35 years and both our children are natives. We always dreamt of living on Balboa Island, but only since semi-retirement could manage a home on the island. We've not been disappointed! The only difficult thing is leaving the Island from time to time...

Why they chose this property

You can decide for yourself, but "Little" Balboa is truly special. While part of what is commonly called Balboa Island, it is its own separate island across the "Grand Canal" and a second bridge. Originally planned to be a small island with casinos and hotels similar to Monaco; that concept did not prove feasible and more housing was added to Little Balboa Island in the 1920's instead. In fact, one of those charming houses, built in 1926, remains today just three doors down from us. Somewhere along the line, the residents of Little Balboa got together and agreed to bury utility lines and add miniature light houses, making the well-located island all the more beautiful. The main island can't seem to agree on how to do similarly, but we're rooting for them!

What makes this property unique

Casa la Piña is a custom home designed by a noted local architect and built with the finest of materials and craftsmanship in 2004. It incorporates the latest in technology including an elevator, four-zone air conditioning, and surround sound theatre system. This house was not built to be a "vacation rental"; it was built to be a primary residence. We have respected that philosophy by furnishing and maintaining our home with the same orientation to quality and good taste.

This is not your basic "beach house" rental; we like to think it is casual coastal living with a designer's approach. If you are looking for a beach house to trash for a week with an owner that won't mind, please look elsewhere. We were young once, and raised two great kids, so we completely understand the process. However, are now at a stage of life where we take care of and enjoy quality finishes that are well maintained, and we hope you do too!

With all that said, if you like the finer things in life, you will LOVE our home and its location. Short of being ON the water, it does not get any better anywhere on the island. We are a short walk to Marine Avenue’s retail amenities, with water views from all three floors, while on the nicest corner of the entire island - equi-distant and just steps to the water in three directions. One of those directions yields a public dock for fishing and/or boating.

Languages:

English