For Lee and Margaret's last day in Southern California, we wanted to take them to someplace new. The weather screamed beach so off we went to play tourists in Balboa.

We parked on the Island and ferried over to the Peninsula.
Lunch was at the Harborside Restaurant located in the Balboa Pavilion.
Eating in history is always a highlight. In a 1905 letter, the War Department in Washington granted Newport Bay Investment Company permission to construct and maintain a building for purposes of a “boat-house, bath-house, and pavilion” with 210 feet of water frontage. Construction of this wooden Victorian design building was fully completed on July 1, 1906 to coincide with the completion of the Pacific Electric Red Car Line which began at or near Pasadena, wound down through Los Angeles and Long Beach and ended in central Balboa (oh to have that now). 
After a delicious lunch, overlooking the waterfront, we strolled to the pier.
And how about this history lesson? At the base of the pier we found this plaque which reads, "On May 10, 1912, Glenn L. Martin flew his own plane, built in Santa Ana, from the waters of the Pacific Ocean at Balboa to Catalina Island. This was the first water-to-water flight, and the longest and fastest overwater flight, to that date. On his return to the mainland, Martin carried the day's mail from Catalina- another first." Mr. Martin was an early American aviation pioneer. He designed and built his own aircraft and was an active pilot, as well as an aviation record-holder. He founded an aircraft company in 1912, which through several mergers, amalgamated into what is today known as Lockheed Martin. Yes, history is everywhere.



We wandered the Island ogling homes.

The Balboa Museum was our almost last stop. This sweet ride is circa 2001. Following on the successful launch of his E-Bike business, then 77 year-old Lee Iacocca took his next step in his master plan to convert America to electric vehicles with the launch of Lido Motors USA and the introduction of the Lido neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV). According to the museum, everyone wanted to take photos with this cool Woodie then so they made it an exhibit. Pretty cool indeed.
We even had a historic treat... the Balboa Bar. A staple here since 1945, these ice cream squares, coated in chocolate and then rolled in a topping, was a childhood treat of mine. It is always good to travel back, culinarily, every now and then.
We were chased away from the beach by a pretty intense rainstorm which rewarded us with a spectacular rainbow, a brilliant sunset and the strangest of skies.


It has been a wonderful few days with our guests from the North. We saw great things, had unique experiences, dined well and played hard. What more can one ask for from a holiday?