May Mayor’s corner with mayor lauren kleiman
A New Chapter for the Balboa Ferry
If you are like me, you likely have fond memories of riding the Balboa Ferry, whether with friends or with your family. Some of my favorite photos are with my son and his friends riding the ferry to the first day of Junior Lifeguards each summer. For all of us, the ferry is more than transportation; it is part of the Newport Beach experience.
The Balboa Ferry began in 1919, when Joseph Beek launched the service to connect Balboa Island and the Peninsula. By 1920, the first vehicle made the approximately 800-foot crossing. For more than a century, the ferry has carried generations of residents and visitors, becoming closely tied to traditions like frozen bananas, trips to the Fun Zone and summer days along the waterfront.
Today, the Beek family continues to operate the ferry, with three vessels serving hundreds of thousands of passengers and vehicles each year. While its history remains rooted in tradition, the ferry is now preparing for an important step forward.
In response to statewide air quality standards established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), short-run ferries must transition to zero-emission operations.
Working alongside the South Coast Air Quality Management District and CARB, the Balboa Island Ferry is beginning the transition to a fully electric fleet. Funded in part through California Climate Investments and CARB’s Sustainable Heavy-Duty Initiatives for Future Technology Program, this effort will replace existing
diesel-powered vessels with battery-electric ferries. This transition will help reduce emissions, improve air quality and support long-term environmental goals while maintaining the character of this historic service.
The new ferries will be battery-powered, with shoreside charging capability. The ferries are currently in design but will stay true to ferry heritage, with a three-car capacity, benches for walk-on visitors and the iconic smokestack.
As we look ahead, we are excited to see the Balboa Ferry continue serving residents and visitors, preserving its legacy for the next generation.
Warmly,
Mayor Lauren Kleiman
IG: lauren4newport
Email: lauren@lauren4newport.com
Mayor Lauren Kleiman is serving her first term as Mayor of Newport Beach.
