This series of photographs is an attempt to give those visitors a glimpse of the homes, scenery and life one would enjoy while living on or visiting the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, CA.

Clicking here or on any image in this post will direct you web browser to page where you may view all 76 images in the Balboa Peninsula set of photographs.

What are your thoughts?

Home sales up 45% in O.C. million-dollar ZIPs – Lansner on Real Estate : The Orange County Register.

What are your thoughts?

I thought it would be fun to go see the display and capture it with my camera. After looking at the Newport Dunes area via Google Earth, it seemed that one of the best places to view the display would be from the monument area of the Castaways Park.

The show was scheduled to begin at 9:00 pm. I arrived at the park at about 7:00 pm to be sure that I would be able to secure a good vantage point for photographing the display. No problem. People did not start to really fill the area until about 8:15.

Just before the start of the show, the back bay completely filled with small boats vying for the best position to view the fireworks. The multitude of red and green running lights on the boats added a beautiful background for the show.

Below is my photographic record of the show. It consists of several images combined to create the same impression as the rapid firing of the fireworks that evening.

What are your thoughts?

After living in the Newport Beach area for over forty years and having never viewed the parade, I thought it was time to see what all the fuss was about.

As it turned out, many of the participants were very enthusiastic, energetic and creative with their costumes, floats, performances and demonstrations. There seemed to be an aura of welcoming and friendliness emanating from the crown of thousands lining side walks along Marine Avenue watching the parade on that overcast June Sunday morning.

Below is an sample photo essay of the event. If you click on any image, your browser will be directed to a Flickr web site where you may view all 104 images captured during the parade.

Feel free to down load and use any of the Flickr site parade images that you would like. If you do download images, please use them unmodified.

What are your thoughts?

The display consisted of 1776 American flags positioned along the pathways of the park. Each flag carrying an inscription identifying the particular individual being remembered and honored by the donors who funded the flag installation.

Further information about this event and the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor may be found here.

I don’t know how a walk along these paths would affect you, but for me it seemed to move my focus a little further from me toward others, what they have done and are doing.

What are your thoughts

After some research, it seemed that the moon-rise would be visible on the eastern horizon just after sunset.

To locate just the right setting with suitable foreground objects, I visited the west side of the Newport Beach Back Bay on several evenings prior to the event date to ascertain the moon trajectory during its early ascent from the horizon.  From the Castaways park view, the moon trajectory was to far to the south to be near any foreground objects to give the moon perspective.  From the Galaxy Drive park view, the trajectory was too far to the north.  The final decision was to take the photographs from the rowing shell staging area of the Newport Aquatic Center

The photograph shown below is a composite of two images from the set of 114 images that were recorded.  The first of the two was exposed for the ambient light of the background objects and the second of the two was exposed for the much brighter moon.

Since the moon was moving and the time between exposures was several seconds, the image of the moon had to be repositioned in Photoshop to precisely align with the moon position in the background image.

I am open to suggestions for improving the above image.  Please leave your comments below.

While visiting the center, I discovered that they offer a wide variety of water sport programs for all ages and experience levels.  They even have hourly membership programs so that the public may utilize their facilities and equipment.  More information is available at the  Newport Aquatic Center web site.

Designed in the Nantucket Colonial style and inspired by the great homes of Bel Air, this stunning, custom built, 5,077 sq ft home has four wood burning fireplaces and a timeless design aesthetic with ten foot soffited ceilings, extensive cased openings and wainscoting with crown molding.

Known by many as one of the truly exceptional homes in all of Newport Heights, this home features a gracious outdoor entertainment area with a fireplace, fountain and lush landscaping inspired by a true English garden.

With a formal living room and fireplace, formal dining room and a gracious gourmet kitchen adjacent to an inviting family room, this home offers an ideal layout for entertaining. Upstairs the home features a grand master suite with fireplace, beautiful marble bath with whirlpool tub, walk in shower and his and hers vanities and closets.

There are also four large bedrooms each w/ walk-in closets and an exceptionally detailed library/family retreat.

This home is classic and truly stunning!

If you are interested in purchasing a home in the Newport Heights community and would like to view this or other available homes, please call me at 949-395-9966. I would be pleased to set aside time to assist you with your search and transaction. Thank you ~ Allan Heller

There will be more than 300 boats on display plus numerous vendors of the most recent advances in marine accessories.

More information may be obtained at the Newport Boat Show web site.

From the street, the home is all but hidden offering complete privacy. Yet from the water one sees a spectacular retreat nestled along the natural curve of the cliff.

2495 is the only Ocean Blvd. address with a private dock, a sweeping grass yard at waters edge, & a pool overlooking the glorious harbor.

Three levels of stunning ocean-view living space include a formal living & dining room, a gracious California-style kitchen that opens onto a spacious family room & dining area, a master suite with separate office & bathroom, 3 additional bedroom suites, outdoor decks at each level & a wonderful bonus room perfect for a personal gym.

Every room of this extraordinary residence offers breathtaking views of daytime boats, late afternoon sunsets & the twinkle of evening lights on the water..

If you are interested in purchasing a home in the Village of Corona del Mar and would like to view this or other available homes, please call me at 949-395-9966. I would be pleased to set aside time to assist you with your search and transaction. Thank you ~ Allan Heller