Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7 this year, which gives you three full days on the Balboa Peninsula before the summer season officially winds down. The water is still warm, the crowds start to ease once school is back, and the light in early September is about as good as Newport Beach gets.
The tricky part of a long weekend is not finding something to do. It is deciding among all of it. So here is a straightforward guide to what you can rent from us at 2000 W Balboa Blvd, what each option is actually good for, and how to string a few of them together into one very good holiday weekend.
Why the Peninsula Is the Right Base for Labor Day
We are located between 20th and 21st streets, right next to the 7-Eleven, which puts you within walking distance of almost everything worth doing on the peninsula. The 20th Street waterfront is a two minute walk from our door. The boardwalk, the Newport Pier, the beach and the bay are all within a few blocks.
That matters more on a holiday weekend than at any other time of year. Parking on the peninsula fills up early on Labor Day Saturday and Sunday, and driving from one activity to the next eats an hour you would rather spend on the water. Park once, rent from us, and cover the rest of the day on two wheels, two feet or a paddle.
One more piece of convenience worth knowing: our staff transports your kayaks and paddle boards to the bay for you and brings them back when you are done. You do not carry anything across the sand.
Electric Bike Rentals: The Best Way to Cover Ground
If you only do one thing this weekend, make it this. Our Fuji Sanibel and E-Crosstown electric bikes run a 250 watt motor with roughly a 21 mile range per charge, which is enough to explore the whole Back Bay and still have power left to ride out and see the Wedge.
Pedal assist changes the math on a long weekend. Headwinds along the coast stop mattering, hills stop mattering, and a mixed group of riders can actually stay together instead of splitting into the fast people and the tired people. Families love them for exactly that reason.
Three routes worth your Labor Day:
Back Bay Loop. Quiet wetlands, a protected nature preserve, and wide paths with almost no traffic. Best in the morning while it is cool and the birds are active.
Corona del Mar to Balboa Peninsula. Ocean breeze the whole way, plus beaches, boutiques and historic piers to stop at. Good midday ride because there are plenty of places to pause for a coffee.
Lido Isle and the Wedge. Ride through Lido Isle, then out to the famous surf break. On a big south swell in early September, the Wedge draws a crowd for a reason.
Electric pedal assist bikes rent by the hour, by the day and by the week, and holiday weekends are exactly when the fleet goes out fastest. Reserve ahead.
Beach Cruisers and Tandem Bikes: Simple, Cheap and Very Newport
Not everyone needs a motor. A classic beach cruiser is still the most Newport Beach way to spend a September afternoon, and at $7 per hour or $30 per day, it is the most affordable thing we rent.
Cruisers are ideal for the boardwalk, for a lap around Balboa Island, and for the ferry crossing over and back. The riding here is flat, so a cruiser genuinely does the job.
Riding with the family? We also rent tandem bikes at $15 per hour, $25 for two hours, $35 for three hours, or $50 for a full day, along with baby seats, trailers and trail-a-bikes at the same rates so younger kids can come along. Add a lock and basket combo for $5.
Kayak Rentals: Newport Harbor from the Water
We run the largest kayak fleet in Orange County, which means we can handle a solo paddler or a group large enough that most places would turn you away. On a holiday weekend, that capacity is the difference between getting out and not.
Every kayak rental includes the kayak, paddle, life vest, safety instructions, and dockside transport of your boat to and from the beach.
Single kayaks: $25 per hour, $45 for two hours, $65 for three hours, $80 all day. Maximum capacity 325 lbs.
Double kayaks: $35 per hour, $60 for two hours, $65 for three hours, $120 all day. A double comfortably carries two adults and a small child or a dog.
The double is the pick for most Labor Day groups. Two people share the paddling, so a strong paddler and a casual one can go out together without anyone struggling, and first timers get a much easier introduction than they would solo.
Where to paddle:
- Newport Harbor, past luxury yachts, waterfront homes and the Balboa Pavilion. Calm, scenic and the easiest option for beginners.
- Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, a protected ecological reserve full of herons, egrets and sea lions. The quiet choice.
- Balboa Island Loop, a full circle around the island with bayside cottages and bridges the whole way.
A note on kids: children under 3 are not permitted on kayaks or paddle boards in Newport Harbor, including riding along with an adult. Children 3 and older are welcome, anyone under 18 needs an adult on the water with them, and every paddler 4 and older needs their own seat. Kids 12 and under wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times, and we provide life jackets in every size at no charge.
Stand-Up Paddle Boards: The Calm Morning Option
Paddle boarding is the fastest growing water sport in the country, and Newport Harbor is close to a perfect classroom for it. The water is flat, the launch is easy, and you can be standing and moving within a few minutes of your first attempt.
It is also a real workout. SUP is a full core and cardiovascular session disguised as a scenic float, which is a fair trade for a weekend of holiday barbecue food.
SUP rates: $25 per hour, $45 for two hours, $65 for three hours, with multi-day rates available. Each board floats up to 290 lbs and every rental includes the board, paddle, life vest, safety instructions and staff transport to and from the beach.
Go out early. Mornings are glassier and quieter, and on a Labor Day weekend the difference between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the harbor is considerable.
Segway Tours: Guided, Easy and Genuinely Fun
If your group would rather be shown around than figure it out themselves, book a Segway tour. All guided tours start near the Newport Pier and roll along the Balboa Peninsula and Newport Beach coastline, with a professional guide pointing out landmarks, history and the good places to eat.
You get full training and safety instruction before you set off, so no experience is required. First timers usually have it figured out within a few minutes.
Segway tour rates: $60 per person for one hour, $85 per person for 90 minutes.
Requirements: riders must generally be at least 12 years old, weigh at least 70 lbs and no more than 270 lbs. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.
Guided tours have limited spots per departure, so this is the one on our list that most needs to be booked in advance for a holiday weekend.
Electric Boat Rentals: The Sunset Slot
For the classic Newport Harbor cruise, our electric boats are the move. They are quiet, simple to operate, comfortable, and they seat eight comfortably with a stereo on board. You drive yourself, no boating license required, and you can bring your own food and drinks. Coolers, ice and beverages are available for purchase before you head out.
Book roughly 90 minutes before sunset. Sunset lands a little after 7 p.m. over Labor Day weekend, so you get golden hour on the way out and harbor lights on the way back. It is the best hour of the day on the water, and it is the first slot to sell out.
Beach Stuff: Show Up Empty Handed
Labor Day is peak beach day, and there is no reason to haul gear across town when you can pick it up two minutes from the sand.
- Beach chairs and umbrellas: $10 per day each
- Beach tents: $10 per day
- Boogie boards: $20 per day
- Surfboards: $35 per day
- Bluetooth speakers: $5 per day
- Dry bags: $5 per day
Multi-day and weekly rates are available on all of it, and we offer special pricing on bulk or group orders. Call us if you are outfitting a big group.
A Labor Day Weekend Plan That Actually Works
Saturday. Beat the crowd with an early SUP or kayak session on the harbor while the water is flat. Break for lunch on the peninsula, then pick up chairs, an umbrella and a couple of boogie boards and make an afternoon of it on the sand.
Sunday. Take out electric bikes for the day. Ride the Back Bay Loop in the morning, work your way down the coast, and let the pedal assist carry you further than you would normally go.
Monday. Book a morning Segway tour so someone else does the planning, then close the weekend with an electric boat at sunset. Bring your own snacks and drinks and finish summer properly.
Book Before the Weekend Fills
Space is limited, and Labor Day is the last big weekend of the season. Our fleet is the largest in Orange County, but holiday demand still clears it out, especially for guided tours and the sunset boat slots.
Book online or call 949-484-4600 to lock in your times. Ask about group rates if you are bringing a crowd, and ask about our membership if you are local and plan to be back.
Balboa Fun Tours and Rentals 2000 W Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663 info@balboafuntours.com 949-484-4600
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience for any of this? No. E-bikes, kayaks, paddle boards and Segways are all beginner friendly, and every rental starts with a short orientation and safety briefing from our staff.
How far in advance should I book for Labor Day? At least a day or two, and sooner for Segway tours, larger groups and beach gear. Holiday weekends clear our shelves faster than any other time of year.
Can we rent for a big group? Yes. We have the largest fleet in Orange County and handle everything from a single rider to family reunions and corporate outings. Call us for group pricing.
Do you help carry the kayaks and boards to the water? We do. Our team transports your kayak or paddle board to the bay and collects it afterward, so you are not dragging equipment across the beach.
Can kids join in? Yes, with a few limits. Segway riders must generally be 12 or older and at least 70 lbs. On the water, children under 3 are not allowed on kayaks or paddle boards, paddlers 4 and older need their own seat, and anyone under 18 needs an adult with them. For bikes, we rent baby seats, trailers and trail-a-bikes.
What should we bring? Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water and comfortable clothing. Closed-toe shoes for Segway tours. We provide the rest, including life vests at no charge.