Tucked away on charming Marine Avenue on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, California, Balboa Candy is the kind of place that makes you feel like a kid again the moment you walk through the door. With tubs of colorful saltwater taffy, rows of nostalgic treats, and a warm, welcoming vibe, this little shop has been delighting visitors and locals alike for years.
Whether you grew up nearby or are just passing through on a beach day, a stop here is practically a rite of passage. Get ready to rediscover your favorite childhood sweets and maybe find a few new ones along the way.
A Saltwater Taffy Selection Like No Other
Walk past the front window of Balboa Candy and you will immediately spot the rainbow of saltwater taffy that practically pulls you inside. Dozens of flavors fill large tubs from wall to wall, making it almost impossible to choose just a few.
Lemon, birthday cake, strawberry, watermelon — the lineup never seems to end.
Shoppers grab a basket and wander the store, handpicking each flavor like they are curating a personal candy collection. Ingredients are clearly labeled on each bin, which is a huge bonus for anyone dealing with food allergies.
You can enjoy the experience worry-free and still load up on your favorites.
Priced by the pound, the taffy is surprisingly affordable for how much fun you get out of the whole experience. Many visitors admit to buying way more flavors than planned — and zero regrets follow.
Nostalgic Gum Flavors You Forgot Existed
Remember Beeman’s, Black Jack, Teaberry, and Clove gum? If those names make your eyes light up, Balboa Candy is basically a time machine waiting for you.
These old-school gum brands have mostly disappeared from mainstream grocery stores, but somehow this little shop on Balboa Island still stocks them proudly.
Chewing one of these forgotten flavors is like flipping through an old photo album — memories come rushing back instantly. Clove gum has that warm, spicy kick.
Teaberry tastes like something from a different era entirely. Each piece carries a personality all its own.
Buying a pack or two makes for a fantastic conversation starter, especially with anyone who grew up in the 1970s or 80s. Hand one over and watch their face light up with pure, unfiltered nostalgia.
Balboa Candy keeps these legends alive for a reason.
Mix-and-Match Candy Barrels Charged by the Pound
One of the most satisfying things about shopping at Balboa Candy is the freedom to build your own candy mix. Open barrels of sweets line the store, and you simply grab a basket, scoop what you love, and pay by the pound at the register.
No pre-packaged bags forcing you to buy flavors you do not want.
Cherry bombs, hard candies, gummies, jawbreakers — the variety tucked into those barrels is genuinely impressive. You could visit a dozen times and still discover something you had not noticed before.
It keeps the whole experience feeling fresh and exciting every single trip.
Kids absolutely lose their minds in the best possible way when they realize they get to choose everything themselves. Adults are not far behind.
The mix-and-match format turns shopping into an activity, not just a transaction, and that makes Balboa Candy truly special.
Aba Zaba and Other Hard-to-Find Throwback Treats
Finding an Aba Zaba bar in the wild feels like spotting a rare bird. That chewy taffy center wrapped in peanut butter-flavored candy coating is a West Coast classic that most major retailers stopped carrying years ago.
Balboa Candy, though? They keep it stocked right alongside other throwback favorites.
Shoppers who grew up in Southern California often describe a specific thrill when they spot these old-school treats sitting casually on the shelf. It is the kind of moment that makes you reach for your phone to text a friend immediately.
Some candies are more than just sugar — they are edible memories.
If you have ever caught yourself saying, “Whatever happened to that candy I used to love as a kid?” — there is a good chance Balboa Candy has the answer. The back of the store is especially worth exploring for these hidden gems.
Fudge That Deserves Its Own Fan Club
Not every candy store takes fudge seriously, but Balboa Candy understands that a good slab of fudge is an art form. Rich, dense, and packed with flavor, their fudge selection gives visitors yet another reason to linger longer than expected.
Chocolate, vanilla swirl, peanut butter — picking just one feels almost unfair.
Fudge has a way of feeling indulgent without being over the top. It is the kind of treat you savor slowly, breaking off small pieces and making it last as long as possible.
Paired with a stroll along the Balboa Island waterfront, it becomes something close to perfect.
Several reviewers have specifically called out the fudge as a highlight of their visit, and it is easy to understand why once you get a taste. Buy a small box to take home and share — or keep it entirely to yourself.
Nobody would blame you.
Rock Candy and Jawbreakers for the Adventurous Sweet Tooth
Some candy is meant to be eaten quickly. Rock candy and jawbreakers, however, operate on their own timeline — and that is exactly what makes them so fun.
Balboa Candy stocks both in a variety of sizes and colors, appealing to anyone who enjoys a candy that commits to the long haul.
Rock candy on a stick looks almost too pretty to eat, with its sparkling crystallized sugar clusters catching the light. Kids are particularly fascinated by them, often treating them more like a science experiment than a snack.
That sense of wonder is part of what makes this store so magical for young visitors.
Jawbreakers, meanwhile, are a test of patience and dedication — qualities that any self-respecting candy lover can appreciate. Balboa Candy carries sizes ranging from bite-sized to impressively large.
Whichever you choose, you are in for a colorful, long-lasting adventure that goes well beyond the average candy bar.
A Jelly Bean Bar Worth the Detour Alone
Jelly bean lovers, consider this your personal paradise. Balboa Candy features a dedicated jelly bean bar where you can mix and match flavors to your heart’s content.
Whether you are loyal to the classics or always hunting for something unexpected, the selection here covers a seriously wide range.
There is something deeply satisfying about standing in front of a wall of jelly bean flavors and making deliberate, carefully considered choices. Buttered popcorn next to watermelon?
Bold move, but totally your call. That creative freedom is what separates a great candy store from a forgettable one.
The jelly bean bar is also a surprisingly social experience. Strangers swap recommendations, kids debate which colors taste best, and everyone ends up trying at least one flavor they would never have picked on their own.
At Balboa Candy, even the jelly bean selection manages to bring people together in the most delightful way.
Unique Sodas to Wash It All Down
Candy is only half the story at Balboa Candy — the unique soda selection adds a whole other layer of fun to the shopping experience. Unusual flavors and small-batch brands fill the shelves, offering drinks that go far beyond what you would find at a standard convenience store.
Cream soda, root beer, and flavors you have genuinely never heard of sit side by side.
Pairing a specialty soda with a bag of handpicked taffy while walking along the Balboa Island waterfront is one of those simple pleasures that feels surprisingly luxurious. The combination of ocean air, nostalgic candy, and a cold, unusual drink hits different than you might expect.
Several regulars mention grabbing a soda on every visit as part of their personal tradition. Browsing the soda section is almost as entertaining as picking out candy — you never quite know what quirky flavor you might stumble across next.
Always worth a look.
Allergy-Friendly Options Clearly Labeled for Peace of Mind
Finding candy you can actually eat when you have food allergies can feel like a frustrating scavenger hunt. Balboa Candy takes some of that stress away by clearly listing ingredients on their saltwater taffy bins, so shoppers with sensitivities can make informed choices without guessing.
That kind of thoughtfulness goes a long way.
Multiple reviewers have praised this feature specifically, noting that it made the whole experience feel inclusive rather than exclusionary. When a store takes the time to accommodate different dietary needs, it signals that they genuinely care about every customer who walks through the door — not just the ones without restrictions.
Many taffy flavors happen to be free of common allergens, which means allergy-conscious shoppers still walk away with a generous haul. No one should have to stand in a candy store feeling left out, and Balboa Candy seems to understand that better than most.
Friendly Staff Who Make Every Visit Feel Personal
A candy store can have the best selection in the world, but if the staff makes you feel rushed or ignored, the whole experience falls flat. Balboa Candy consistently earns high marks from visitors not just for its treats, but for the warm, genuinely helpful team behind the counter.
Employees here seem to actually enjoy their jobs — and it shows.
Multiple reviewers have mentioned that the staff takes time to get to know their customers, which is rare in any retail setting these days. That personal touch transforms a simple candy run into something that feels more like visiting a neighborhood favorite.
You leave feeling good about the experience, not just the sugar rush.
For families visiting with kids, having enthusiastic, patient staff makes a real difference. Balboa Candy’s team helps make the store feel welcoming for everyone, from toddlers on their first candy adventure to grandparents reliving their sweetest memories.
Charming Balboa Island Location Sets the Perfect Mood
Location matters, and Balboa Candy absolutely nailed it. Sitting at 301 Marine Avenue on the picturesque Balboa Island, the store benefits from one of the most charming, walkable neighborhoods in all of Southern California.
Colorful storefronts, ocean breezes, and a relaxed pace make the entire area feel like a postcard come to life.
Strolling Marine Avenue with a bag of candy from Balboa Candy is one of those activities that sounds simple but ends up being genuinely memorable. Families, couples, and solo visitors all seem to slow down and enjoy themselves a little more than usual once they hit this stretch of the island.
The store is open daily from 10 AM, with hours running until 10 PM most nights — plenty of time to plan a visit around a beach day or evening walk. Reaching the island is part of the fun, whether you arrive by ferry, bridge, or bike.
Artwork on the Walls That Adds to the Magic
Most candy stores focus entirely on what is on the shelves and forget about the atmosphere altogether. Balboa Candy takes a different approach.
Reviewers have specifically pointed out the artwork adorning the walls, which adds personality and visual charm to an already delightful space. It is the kind of detail that makes you want to slow down and actually look around.
The decor gives the store a creative, slightly whimsical energy that fits perfectly with the idea of a place dedicated to joy and sweetness. Walking in feels less like entering a retail shop and more like stepping into a carefully curated experience.
Every corner has something worth noticing.
For kids especially, the visual stimulation of colorful candy plus eye-catching wall art creates a sensory experience that sticks in the memory long after the last piece of taffy is gone. It is the kind of detail that separates a good store from one people talk about for years.
A Sweet Tradition Worth Starting on Your Next Beach Day
Some places earn a permanent spot on your must-visit list after just one trip. For countless families and beach-goers, Balboa Candy has become exactly that — a tradition woven into every visit to Newport Beach.
People drive from as far as Moreno Valley just to make a stop here part of their beach day routine.
There is something quietly powerful about a place that earns that kind of loyalty. It is not flashy or loud.
It does not need to be. The candy speaks for itself, the atmosphere does the rest, and the memories seal the deal.
One visit and you will understand why people keep coming back year after year.
Open seven days a week with generous hours, Balboa Candy makes it easy to fit a visit into any schedule. Whether it is a birthday celebration, a family outing, or just a Tuesday afternoon craving, this classic California candy store is always ready to deliver something sweet.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.