Balboa Peninsula in the 1950's
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 พ.ค. 2012
- Take a nostalgic trip back to the late 1950's on Balboa Peninsula. See the beach-goers on the sands of the Harbor, the fisherman casting their lines from the Pavilion and all the great fashions from this by-gone era. Stop in our galleries open everyday at 11:00 a.m. at 600 E. Bay Avenue, Newport Beach CA 92661
I remember it well. There was just a fun and totally innocent vibe at the fun zone, Balboa Pavilion, Big Corona, Little Corona, the jetties... great memories.
My dad grew up in the 1950s on the sand on 10th and balboa. My grandfather had a house right on the beach that is still there. It was before the boardwalk, walk out the backdoor right on to the sand. My grandfather was the treasurer of the local Newport Beach Moose Lodge. My dad worked at the Fun Zone doing various jobs flipping burgers, the arcades and swindling other kids of their pennies in games of chance. He eared enough money at the Fun Zone to buy his first car a Model T. Before he bought the truck he had to take a bus to see his girlfriend on PCH in Corona Del Mar. My dad’s girlfriend’s parents had a nice house right on PCH. With all the shops and businesses on PCH in Corona Del Mar its hard to imagine homes there. I wish I could remember the street. He used to point at the house driving by it when I was a kid. When I was a kid he used to take us the house on the sand on 10th. It would bore us to tears. Now, I can’t imagine what the house is now worth. He did say living on the sand wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Winters were from the ocean breezes were damp and cold. On rainy winter days(like today) i like to drive to the house from here in Long Beach, walk next to the grey (same color) house and take a gloomy walk on the beach. My dad passed away in 2014. One his birthday this last September i took a walk around the Fun Zone. Thanks for the vid. Cheers.
Your last name sounds familiar. Me a young teen in LAGUNA 🌊in 1963
@@cherieallen6726 I was 2 years old in 1963
@@ELMENDORFX ok ok. Maybe I babysat you. Lol oh ..it's little Mikey..🤗🤣.. .... 👶Goo goo...
During 1950-1954 my dad was flying out of El Toro USMC Air Station and we were living on Magnolia St between Irvine and Tustin Aves. I was between 5-9 and was going to Parker School; which is still standing, practically unchanged. Newport Beach was a regular part and most memorable part of out lives, then. These are the days I would love to bring back; this is my happy place
Wow! Me too! The house still stands between B and C Streets. 1013 E. Balboa Blvd. ❤
Grandparents lived on Seville St. at the tip of the peninsula in the 1950's. Then we rented a beach house every summer through the 60's. Other Grandma worked at Coles at the Landing and Grandpa was Postmaster at the Balboa Island PO. Pinball and frozen bananas at the Fun Zone.
SoCal at the height of pristine existence . The aerial view at the beginning shows the vast open areas of Orange County. All gone now. Just thirty years later it was covered by concrete and asphalt .
Turd World toilet now.
And now it's a total shit hole
The 1950s were the best years in America . Today when I’m asked by younger people what was it like in the 50s they were mostly astonished to hear…there question for me was…well what happened to that country…..
Born in Newport Beach at Hoag Hospital in 1958. First Ferris wheel ride was at the Fun Zone. Great place to grow up. Very proud of my home town.
Do you remember the old local tramp that would great everyone with a loud "HELLO'?
Me too (Hoag, 1960; NHHS 1978). Most awesomest place ever to grow up. After pursuing my life and career around all over, I am glad to be back in NPB.
I've lived in Newport since 1973. It looks like it was just as crowded back in the 50's, I guess I shouldn't complain and just be happy I still live here.
Just be happy you can still AFFORD to live in Newport.
I migrated to Orange county in the early 60's. It was a most glorious time . Worked at the Balboa Bay Club when John Wayne was the Pres.
mrshiney2 My grandparents were members, but that was years and years ago
Great memories. My Granddad lived on Lido Isle and I remember walking by John Wayne's yacht the Wild Goose after school hoping to get a glimpse of The Duke.
my dad had a yacht ,and we used
To sail past the duke's
Place all the time ,from
1972-1976.i spent many summers hanging out in
Newport bch.
Those were the
Best of times..
I was in my teens
Then.lived in Huntington but loved
Newport and corona.
@@user-zx8xi1gg3q Indeed we did not now how good we had it. Steves Pizza in Newport was the hang
Back in the early 60's, we would vacation at Dover Shores Camp. A trailer park at the intersection of Dover Dr. and PCH. We would spend the days at the small beach just under the PCH bridge. Swimming out to the platform and diving back to shore. At night my dad would take us to Will Wrights ice cream parlor just across the road for sundaes. We met and hung out with this kid whose grandma drove us to the Pavillion at night on Balboa island via the ferry boat.. She had an old 50's ford i believe that the grandson would help her steer by grabbing the brody knob attached to the steering wheel. my brother and i would be in the back seat busting a gut over this scene. Ahh. Those were the days.
I would enjoy happy hour at the rusty pelican 🎉
It somehow looks so much happier back then, with so much open land left.
It was MUCH happier back in those days!
That converted PT boat belonged to my friend's family. We went to Catalina on it occasionally. First time I saw flying fish.
Thank you for watching our nostalgic video! If you enjoyed this video, we are sure you would love the Early History of Newport Harbor video as well!
The Balboa Peninsula was quite clean and safe in the 1950's and early 60's!
Yep not anymore it's like Mexico
Balboa was magic....nothing less....1950s 60s. Jolly Rogers. Ferry. Newport Pier bait shack. Nana's Mexican restaurant. Frozen bananas. The Arcades!!!! It's all gone.
Its totally different but there still are a few arcade games there and the Ferris wheel still stands!
My Grandma owned a restaurant across from the Pavilion called Kate’s Cafe. Mom was waitress. My Dad worked at the hamburger place on the Arcade.
It was wonderful back in the 1970s as a child and driving up to see my grandmother on the werkends. I loved the old house at 1112 W Bay Ave. That whole street looks different now. We used to play in the sand and swim in the water. I guess even the Fun Zone is gone now. Wistful memories are all I have left.
They have a new fun zone there now & I think they have some of the original games in there from the old fun zone , plus I have some videos on my channel of the original fun zone
We are so glad you enjoyed it! We hope you have a chance to view our other videos too.
That skipper in the power boat at 11:28 should have given way to the sail boat. I lived at 307 Island street 82-83 and rowed for OCC so I have been on the bay zillions of times. I saddened to know the Fun Zone is gone and the Balboa Theater. During the rains of '83 Balboa Blvd. flooded horribly. My car got swamped and water came in the doors. When the bus went bay the wake would rock my car.
The Fun Zone is still there. It's a little different, but there's still a Ferris Wheel, games, ice cream shops, etc.
Lived a few blocks from the Arcade in 1955. I was 8 yrs old. My parents rented a small cottage one block from the bay. I attended the elementary school on the ocean side. Don’t remember the name. I spent all summer renting kayaks, eating Tacos, and I saw Buddy Ebsen with his two daughters.
Back in the day, early 60’s, my high school friends and I would spend Easter week there. Very fond memories! Would stay on the Peninsula. One year it was the Morgan House run by the mom of a local folk singer Tim Morgan. Ring a bell for anyone?
no
There's a sheet metal sculpture of Tim Morgan the night he played Harriet & Pappy's in Pioneertown, CA. The statue's in Helena, Montana when I saw it last - and the name of the Pioneertown Cantina & Pub, I remembered that night caught my attention! I've spent many nice nights in Pioneertown and my last honeymoon started there. Somehow the artist remembered it well enough to create the art piece. Funny how small the world is. The HB Union High School Oilers Class of '64 approves of your video.
@@SurferJoe46 That a sculpture of Tim is in Montana commemorating an appearance at H and P’s in Pioneertown is a bit of a mind blower to use a phrase from back in the day. I guess Tim continued to perform for years and he made a big impression along the way. I left So. Cal. in 1967 to attend college up north and have remained. Really fond memories of HB and Balboa. I saw HB a few years ago and just disappointed to see resorts a block long. It happens all over including my adopted hometown. Great anecdote…thanks!
@@moryan6447 I took a pix of that sculpture --- but for the life of me I don't know where it is --- on some cloud somewhere --- I'll take a good look for it tonight when the day winds down.
Wow this place was Always heaven on earth.
Came here searching for Snowbird sailboats. We own one (built 1952) that participated in many races in the bay. Very happy to see them in color, in their native habitat. Sadly, not many left sailing these days (maybe 3? 4?)
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I grew up on the peninsula-my only concern was what the waves looked like when I woke up and how many soft shell sand crabs I would find to fish with
Thanks so much for sharing this I especially love the great shot of the China House, no longer at China Cove.
Great footage. Thanks for sharing!
Woe. Super Great Footage. Thank you. :)
Great footage.
Thank you!!
ExplorOcean Thank You!
Wow
OMG!! What is THAT on the pier at 4:13? A PHONE BOOTH??? "Daddy, what's a pay phone?"
@ 6:55: Predecessor to today's Duffy.
Oh I saw part of this on another account
Brings back great memories. Thanks for posting. As a child I was madly in love with the sailing ship at 3:30. Anyone know its name?
i was in balboa in 1972 with my new 911 Porche
I'm after some footage of Newport from the 1970s any ideas - it's for a TV show
Classic. How about that converted PT Boat at 7:50!
They should bring back The Tail of the Whale restaurant.
.. and The Arches.
@@SurferJoe46 I gave you a like. I never noticed your comment until today.
@@MrJuvefrank It's OK ... I miss a few of my own.
Exactly what year ?
And how about Christian's Hut! ❤
No one us talking on their cell phones, and no one is wearing a mask... *sigh* those were the days.
rich people live there
No sound?
not till 1970
No one on a boat is wearing a life vest lol...
What the heck was that standup wave runner contraption at 10:21 ?
Came here searching for Snowbird sailboats. We own one (built 1952) that participated in many races in the bay. Very happy to see them in color, in their native habitat. Sadly, not many left sailing these days (maybe 3? 4?)