Vintage beach cottage w/ modern-day conveniences (central heat & A/C), Apple TV, DVD, vintage appliances, incl. dishwasher) on the quiet-end of Balboa Island; tree-lined street, steps to the beaches on South Bayfront; two blocks to Balboa Island ferry and market. Cottage was built in 1923 and served as a "Speak Easy" (a bar during the prohibition era ) with many famous actors, musicians, singers patronizing the site (John Wayne, James Cagney & Humphrey Bogart) just to name a few. This is a classic beach bungalow that comes with all the conveniences you expect in your own home. Our secret recipe: take the look of the historic Crystal Cove Cottages (down by Laguna Beach that you can rarely, if ever, get a reservation); add in some of the woodsy down-home charm of those log cabins found in Big Bear / Lake Arrowhead / Blue Jay; and then sprinkle in a few modern-day touches including central heat and A/C, flat screen TV w/ cable / DVR / Apple TV service, a washer & dryer, dish-washer, outdoor gas BBQ, plus many other standard appliances (vintage gas stove, old-style refrigerator with meat-locker handle, coffee maker, toaster, microwave), and now you have yourself one very unique beach cottage experience that would be near-difficult to replicate in SoCal. Come experience life in a cottage just oozing over with down-home seaside comfort / charm / history and too many great vibes to describe. You will quickly forget where you are, what you do for a living and the date on the calendar. By the time your stay is over you will not want to leave! The experience will conjure up memories of days gone by, the family vacations you took during childhood, and earlier visits to the seashore. Come make some new memories with your family that you will not soon forget! Housekeeping Notes: Street Sweeping is on Wednesday (directly in front of cottage) and Thursday (opposite side of the street) from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m Trash Pick-up is 7 a.m. on Wednesday NPB Short Term Permit # SLP12922 You are welcome to use all the areas in and around the cottage (other than a few storage closets in breezeway between the front and rear of the cottage used to store cleaning supplies). We're generally available to provide instructions on how to use all the vintage appliances, remote controls, Apple TV, cable, DVR, central heat & A/C, two gas fireplaces (one inside one outside), gas BBQ in the courtyard, as well as to share some of the great history on this cottage. As your hosts, we will do our best to answer any questions and/or provide assistance by phone, text, e-mail, and come by the cottage (in-person), to ensure that your stay at the Speak Easy cottage is enjoyable, relaxing and worry-free. We live a few blocks away and are generally available to assist with any special requests. Life on Balboa Island is like living in a small town (Mayberry) with Andy Griffith as town sheriff and Barney Fife as deputy. Come turn back time and experience what life was like in an earlier time, but with all the creature comforts of today's living. Residents and visitors alike find getting around the Island fairly easy (save a few peak weeks in the summertime and during winter holidays). Bicycles are readily available for rent (both on the Island (Marine Ave.) and over on the Balboa Peninsula (by the Fun Zone). Many choose to walk the boardwalk that goes all around the perimeter of the Island) on a daily basis (2.4 miles around both Big and Little Balboa Island). There is a small bridge on one side of the Island (leading to Bayside Drive and Jamboree that runs toward the 405 freeway) and a historic ferry (100+ years old) traversing Newport Harbor (back and forth from the Island to Balboa Peninsula) carrying 3 autos and many passengers per trip. While on the Balboa Peninsula visit the Fun Zone / walk over to the Newport Pier, and consider a day-trip to Catalina Island via the Catalina Flyer. While some may prefer touring Balboa Island by golf cart or Segway (both of which can be rented from local providers), it's really not necessary. Walk, jog, relax on the front screened-in porch, take in the fresh salt air breeze and enjoy all that Island living (and the Speak Easy cottage) has to offer during your stay. Upon arrival, you will be able to access the cottage with a keyless secure door code; no need for an in-person key exchange. The cottage will be professionally cleaned and ready for you to enjoy. You can expect all comforts of home, including coffee for the coffee maker, shampoo, soaps, paper products, and linens. There are specific instructions on cottage details, local favorite suggestions, Wi-Fi access, and TV / DVR / remote instructions.