I love that this exhibit is located outside of the Balboa Island Museum grounds so people can access it at any time of day or night. Its easiest to park on the eastbound side of Balboa Island Museum. as the lights are basically on the sidewalk.

Small yet cute FREE museum with wonderfully charming staff! They have a nice gift shop but the museum section isn’t large. There was cool info about Balboa Island, Shirley Temple and more. You probably won’t spend more than 15 minutes in the museum.HOWEVER! I noticed an empty storefront down the street that said: Coming soon: The Balboa Island Historical Museum... so maybe they’re moving soon and will have more room!I never give FREE museums less than 4 stars, because anything they offer is gravy. Definitely check this out when strolling down the strip!

The guide explain everything you need to know about Balboa. Lots of History and gives you a hint of the places you need to visit there.

Donations-suggested historical museum of early Balboa history and its fascinating culture. Step away from the harbor for awhile and get inside to learn something you may not have about Balboa. Hands on exhibits encourage families to linger longer. We enjoyed putting a 500-piece puzzle of Balboa Island together! Friendly docents available to answer your questions make this a fabulous find.

Fun place to visit.I took my grandbabies they have a section thats hands on for the kids. Great history of Balboa Island. The staff was very friendly.

Interesting to see the history and those who contributed in that era such as John Wayne and others. Also interesting all of the movies that were filmed here and other local talent and stories. You will want to donate after walking through, enjoy!! :)

Nice little museum tells the history of Balboa, and some of the greater area. Very friendly docent greeted us and gave us an overview of the tiny place, which has been redone in recent years. Take the ferry from Newport to Balboa with your car for added mobility - and fun.

Staff is knowledgeable and more than friendly. Spoke with in older woman named Susan, who was very polite and informative. Merchandise that they sell in the shop is very neat. And a history of the islands had details I did not know of. Mostly that both John Wayne and Shirley Temple had homes there. Definitely a place to check out, learn something new, & meet a smiling face.

Really nice place to stop and spend time reading about the different aspects of history of Balboa and the surrounding area. This isnt just some rich beach resort, it has a rich history from its early days purchased as marshland through the golden era of movies when many stars called this area home

It gave me a glimpse into Balboas past.

Its not the best museum, but a nice place to visit if youre in the area. Staff are incredibly fun and friendly. Lots of great souvenirs.

Everyone should visit this. Totally cool.

Very cool to see the island at first conception, the ideas and people behind it.

Very nolstagic and nice bits of history placed within.

A small, but interesting and ultimately satisfying museum that tells a bit of the history of Balboa Island and parts of Newport. Worth a quick visit. Especially if you are a John Wayne fan.

Small but nice. Lots of local color.

Great little museum summarizing the local history and color. Worth a quick visit.

Interesting tidbits about the history of the area.

Really enjoyed going here! Great place to visit when in Balboa Island! The docents are very nice and friendly!

It is good to know of people who contributed to the development of Balboa.

Great people make for a great day!

Very interesting story, how the island grow thru the years

Love the place a little bit of old nostalgia

Good to know of the history of Balboa island development

Great local history.

Very cool experience! Learned a lot about the island and surrounding areas. Has a heavy history on the celebrities there. A lot of the info is unconfirmed and some of the photos on the wall are low quality and look like they were printed out from the internet.

Cool small history of the island. Balboa is often overlooked but definitely a diamond in the rough.

You will learn plenty of interesting things about the island. its worth a visit. Shirley Temple... Balboa Bars...

Lots of great historical information about Balboa Island and Newport Beach.

Super tiny, just one room. But its free entry so its worth stopping in for a bit of history in your visit to Balboa Island!

Nice little museum with lots of historical information on the island.Probably not much of interest for most folks, but still kind of neat to look at the old photos. Cant beat the price (free!)

Interesting, the tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable.

So much history and what a step up from former location!

Love history and this is a great place to stop by.

Family friendly

Cute little place to see for free!

Very bland and plain expensive

Fascinating photos and stories about Balboa Island beginnings.

Great way to learn about Balboa Island!

It has much history about Balboa

Awesome

Very cute and quaint

Cool