Every Sunday morning the Balboa Fun Zone Car Show occupies the parking lot of the legendary Balboa Fun Zone. Located on the Balboa Peninsula of Newport Beach, the Fun Zone continues to entertain kids, young and old, as it has for over 80 years.

The Fun Zone was built in 1936 by Al Anderson. A small beach and a 45 foot Ferris wheel were among the early main attractions. The property fell into disrepair in the mid-80s for several years as the area went into decline.

In 1994, the Balboa Fun Zone was purchased by former employee, Joe Tunstall. The Fun Zone was upgraded with a newly restored carousel purchased in 1985. The landmark upgrades also included an Eli Ferris Wheel, bumper cars, Drummer Boy, and the Scary Dark Ride There were also a few souvenir shops, restaurants, and tour boat companies offering boat rides with narrated cruises.

Today, tourists and residents continue to enjoy harbor cruises and old fashioned arcades on the boardwalk. The Ferris wheel is a frequently photographed night landmark on the Balboa Peninsula.

The Balboa Village, which is adjacent to the Fun Zone, consists of more retail shops, restaurants, several taverns, a boutique hotel, the Balboa Pier, the boardwalks along both the beach and the harbor fronts and of course, the Balboa beach itself.

In 2013, the Balboa Fun Zone underwent a major renaissance with the addition of three rides including Ocean Motion, Fish Pipe, and Burt the Bull Shark.

The Balboa Fun Zone car show is free to both show cars and spectators. There is space for about 50 show cars in the parking lot, the rest park on the street. Free raffl e prizes and car trophies are presented when the show concludes at 9am.

Thanks for the Show!!

There are many reasons to visit, and the Balboa Car Show is just one.

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