Seaside stay .Within half a mile (1 km) of this Balboa Island vacation home, you'll find Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and Balboa Fun Zone. Also, Balboa Pavilion is within half a mile (1 km) and Balboa Pier is within 2 miles (3 km).
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
Balboa Peninsula Beaches - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
Balboa Pier - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
Balboa Beach - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
Getting around
Laguna Niguel Station - 21 min drive
John Wayne Airport (SNA) - 25 min drive
Restaurants
Harborside Restaurant & Grand - 5 min drive
Todos Santos | Kitchen De Mexico - 3 min walk
Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill - 5 min drive
Ruby's Diner - 5 min drive
Dad's Original Frozen Banana - 10 min walk
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island
Summary:
This charming 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Balboa Island front cottage is conveniently located within walking distance to the charming shops and cafes on Marine Ave.
The Space:
Curated Local Guest Experiences Included! (see below)
201 Ruby is professionally managed by Newport Beach Vacation Properties. This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Balboa Island front cottage is conveniently located in walking distance to the charming shops and cafes on Marine Ave., as well as the historic Balboa Island Ferry that takes both cars and pedestrians on a 5 minute ride to Balboa Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean beaches.
The front of this rustic cottage features a cozy outdoor patio complete with a gas BBQ and patio furniture where you can prepare your favorite outdoor meals or enjoy your morning coffee. The inside of this cottage has purposely been maintained in its original Balboa Island vintage style featuring a high-vaulted ceiling in the living room outlined with traditional wood planks. There is wood flooring throughout the cottage, a wood-burning fireplace, and 2 cozy sofas in the living area.
The kitchen is fully equipped including a refrigerator, freezer, oven, stove, microwave, double stainless-steel sink, and fully stocked with all the cookware and place settings you will need. Adjacent to the kitchen and living room, is a separate dining area with a rectangular wooden table that seats six people very comfortably. In the hallway, you will find all 3 bedrooms. The first one on the right has a queen bed, directly across the hall is the other smaller bedroom with a twin bed and an en suite full bathroom. The spacious master bedroom found at the end of the hall has its own en suite bathroom, plenty of closet space, and a flat-screen TV.
There is a shared washer and dryer and a spot for 1 car in the garage beneath the back unit which is not part of this unit. Street parking is also usually available.
As our guest, enjoy complimentary local experiences curated to help you make the most of Newport Beach. Activity offerings are seasonal and may include whale watching, harbor cruises, E-BIKE rentals, kayaks & paddle boards, and electric boat rentals.
SLP11864
Guest Access:
I give my guests space but am available when needed. We are available at any time to answer any questions or service the property.
- Must provide your email and be able to access our company online portal for house info.
- No parties or gatherings.
- We try our best to keep updated on remodels/construction happening around our vacation units. However, construction can pop up anytime in the City of Newport Beach without notice. N.B.V.P is not responsible and will not issue refunds due to neighboring construction.
Interaction with Guests:
I give my guests space but am available when needed
We are available at any time to answer any questions or service the property.
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
General
Unit size: 904 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 26
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Must be able to login into our Online Guest Portal and provide us and working email and phone number for during your stay.
Must be 26 or older to ...
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector in each accommodation.
Property Registration Number SLP11864
Property is also known as
House
68cd9f30b882ff001197407d
Vrbo Property
Frequently asked questions
How close is 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island to the airport?
This vacation home is 6.8 mi (25-min drive) away from the John Wayne Airport (SNA) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.
Does 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island have an airport shuttle?
Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.
How close is 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island to the beach?
This vacation home is 5.6 mi (21-min drive) from Huntington Beach Beaches and 5.7 mi (18-min drive) from Huntington State Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Does 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island offer free breakfast?
This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.
Is there a casino at 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island?
No, there is no casino at this vacation home.
What time is check-in at 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
Is there free parking at 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island?
Free parking is not available at this vacation home.
Does 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island have a pool?
This vacation home does not have a pool.
Does 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island have a spa?
There are no spa services available at this vacation home.
How close is 201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island to downtown Newport Beach?
This vacation home is 2.2 mi away from Newport Beach.
201 Ruby | Affordable Quaint Cottage Balboa Island Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Nice home, but very noisy due to proximity to a busy street.
Bob A.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Archival
10/10 Excellent
jeanne w.
Aug 20, 2015
beach house
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
everything was perfect !!
Nice place, but very noisy, due to proximity to busy street. I knew it would be noisy, but not that noisy.
Bob A.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Brie R.
Aug 23, 2016
Great Island Cottage!
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We really enjoyed our stay at 201 Ruby! The home is in a great location, easy to walk to Marine Ave as well as Ruby Beach! It was the perfect place for our family of 4 to spend a long weekend!
Overall a nice stay. We think the property could use some deep cleaning ie dusting shutters and and wood floors. Location is convenient to beach. Loved evenings on the patio.Note: The gardners showed up with blowers at 8am on our last day as we slept! Not ok. Check out is at 10:00 and work on the home should begin then!
Angela M.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Newport Beach V.
Dec 1, 2017
Cozy Balboa Island Cottage that was so relaxing!!
We love Balboa Island!! Such a unique area of Orange county to bring the family. Walking the bayfront and riding bikes on the Ferry to the Beach front is so relaxing. This house is perfect for a small family that enjoys the cottage feel. Prime location on the Island. Newport Beach Vacation Properties is so friendly and makes the check in process so easy with the guest portal and automated system. We want to come back every year!! Thank you for the lovely memories!!
Newport Beach V.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kristine M.
Jul 4, 2016
Ruby House on Balboa
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We loved the house, the location was perfect - could walk to "town" and to the ferry easily. The house was clean and comfortable with lots of character. It was nice to have a garage to keep all our beach gear.
Kristine M.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2016
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Marvin F.
Mar 20, 2020
201 Ruby Review
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We enjoyed staying at this well-located, comfortable property. It's a short walk to the boardwalk which encircles Balboa Island and also a short walk to Marine Avenue where most of the island's stores and restaurants are located.
The rental was not exactly as expected. The second bathroom is en suite from the bedroom with the tiny bed. So guests have to walk through one bedroom to get to the bathroom. The sheets were very uncomfortable. The heat did not work, but the back bedroom was very stuffy. The TV's didnt work so we had to go out and buy Roku sticks. The location is the best part of the rental.
Jeanine V.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025
Archival
6/10 Okay
Clayton F.
Sep 27, 2015
Bungalow on Balboa Island
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Very quaint bungalow but needs some upgrades in the bathrooms with the fixtures. Also needs a ceiling fan in living room ceiling The house was sealed up tight when we arrived and was very musty. We had to buy many room fresheners to make it livable the first day
The home was super cute and perfect for our stay. It was spotlessly clean and the offer to have groceries pre-delivered was fantastic! Only complaint is the check in process and "house rules" are not located within VRBO. They will send you an email under a name I did not recognize with instructions on how to log in to their portal. It took me at least 2 hours to figure out how to enter the home. If the email just would have mentioned VRBO in the title, it would have been so much easier.
Traci M.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Archival
8/10 Good
Matt B.
Nov 27, 2017
Thanksgiving 2017
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
5 of us for 5 days including Thanksgiving dinner at the property.PROS*Great Location*Quaint comfortable house*Good water pressure in showersCONS*Needs more Blankets, Towels, and Pillows*The lighting is goofy. Switches are in weird places, a lot of the lamps don't work or the bulbs are out. It always felt a little too dark.**BIGGEST PRO = Working with Vikki at Newport Beach Vacation Properties. She was AMAZING and saved our vacation! Thanks for everything Vikki!!
Matt B.
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
Kimberly S.
Jul 25, 2018
Birthday Celebration
Rating Details:
The property manager was adequately helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We celebrated my husband's 70th birthday on Balboa. Sitting outside enjoying morning coffee, and wine at night was enjoyable. The cottage was in a perfect location to walk anywhere; stores, restaurants, beach. TV, basic cable and apps, did not work in all locations; i.e. living room. Feeling the breeze and having all the windows open was enjoyable. Just an FYI,the cottage is in the direct take-off flight path of John Wayne Airport. You do hear the jets constantly during the day.
Kimberly S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
From a partner site
4/10 Poor
joan l.
Apr 29, 2022
201 Ruby Ave Balboa Island
Rating Details:
The property manager was adequately helpful.
The vacation rental was somewhat dirty.
I was very happy with the location.
I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Staying on Balboa Island is a treat. The house I stayed in wasn’t. It’s extremely old(1927)& hasn’t been kept up. It needs a coat of paint, windows washed, new carpeting & some TLC. Mold was growing in one the bedroom closets.Perfect location for walking, close to the boardwalk & Marine Ave. And there’s parking space for 1 car which is great. It’s very hard to find parking especially on the weekends.Another reason I wouldn’t rent this house again... is there’s an attachment that is rented out. It’s upstairs & the people that live there are quite noisy with music thumping over the master bedroom. My son- in- law at 10:30pm had to tell them to shut it down. Also arguing into the night isn’t conducive to a restful night. The walls are thin so every sound is heard.Vicki at the property rental company couldn’t have been nicer & I’ll use their company again but be more selective about where I stay. No one wants their vacation ruined because of neighbors. I’ve stayed on the island before & never had a problem. Ask a lot of questions before sign up...
joan l.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Eric C.
Jan 3, 2022
201 Ruby
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
we had a great experience at 201 Ruby
Eric C.
Verified review
4/10 Poor
Corby M.
Dec 17, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Musty
From the moment we opened the door we were overwhelmed by the stench of musty/moldy, just plain old. While the pictures were 100% accurate, a little tired looking, I though I could do the old school cozy cabin feel. The reviews were not bad and NOBODY mentioned the odor. Well, if smells bother you, this is not the cottage for you. Hopefully I will save some folks from the experience we had.
I cannot say enough great things about the property management company. Peter was kind, understanding, responsive, and helpful. He came up with a solution to save our vacation. In the end, with a little inconvenience, our vacation was made better by this property management team. Thank you!
Corby M.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Denis S.
Nov 2, 2021
nice stay
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
we had a very good time and enjoyed ourselves. I had to kill a cockroach in the second bathroom. need to address bug problem. also there should be a chopping board in the kitchen. direct TV sucks.
Denis S.
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
Maryanne W.
Aug 26, 2021
Long Weekend on Balboa
Rating Details:
The property manager was somewhat unhelpful.
The vacation rental was clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This is a charming historic cottage on the island, perfect for small family or people planning to be on the go. Written communication was great leading up to our stay, but when we ran into access problems no one returned our calls. We left messages on the "emergency" line and never received a return call. Our entire stay of 5 days!!! We will not rent with this group again.
mostly as advertised but facility was a bit "tired." Oven failed to work, 3rd bedroom was just a "day bed" not single bed as the ads suggested (a bit small for a full size adult.). Lighting was poor, low watts, resulting in dark areas. Baths were fine but 2nd bath was only accessible thru one of bedrooms. Patio facing east was a plus. Also a plus side, the garage was ample in size.
michael c.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Andrew A.
Aug 16, 2021
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Visit
Location is great. Place is a bit tired and the kitchen organization is lacking.