Newport Beach Balboa Fun Zone has long been a tradition for families with kids who come to play near the ocean. A carousel with beautifully-painted horses delight children and adults.

Balboa Fun Zone, a throw back to the Coney Island style amusements includes this colorfully painted carousel with horses, lively music, and an enjoyable ride overlooking the Newport Bay. Costing around $1.50 - 2, the carousel is a mellow ride that is worth trying. In addition to this outdoor covered carousel that sits up a set of stairs on a platform that allows bay viewing, there is a Ferris wheel you can ride for a fantastic view of the bay.

Newport Beach has the distinction and honor of having not one, but two carousels that are only four or five miles from each other (the other is at Fashion Island.)  So what does this say? Newport Beach really caters to kids. This is a family place and an attraction for families staying in Huntington Beach or Laguna Beach. Costa Mesa, Newport Beach's neighbor also has its own carousels at South Coast Plaza.

Next to the Balboa Fun Zone with its indoor arcade that children love, there's the Balboa Island Ferry, the Catamaran to Catalina Island, boat tours around the bay, fishing trip boats, and whale watching boats at Davey's Locker. The new Newport Harbor Nautical Museum recently opened here, as well. It features a touch tank for the kids, model ship exhibits and meeting space for events. Then, right across the street on this peninsula and location that faces the bay, you'll find the Balboa Pier, beach playground and smooth views of the Pacific Ocean.