Start your family day at Corona del Mar State Beach, arriving early to claim a spot near the tide pools where kids can discover starfish, hermit crabs, and sea anemones. After a couple of hours of beach time, head to the Balboa Ferry for the three-minute crossing to Balboa Island — a small adventure that children love. Explore Marine Avenue, stopping for the legendary Balboa Bar (a chocolate-dipped frozen banana on a stick, invented here in the 1940s). Rent a Duffy electric boat for a two-hour harbor cruise, spotting harbor seals, pelicans, and the magnificent waterfront estates. End the day with dinner at a family-friendly waterfront restaurant as the harbor lights begin to reflect on the water.