Balboa Yacht Club Reviews

We had to change our wedding plans due to COVID and ended up with a small wedding at the Balboa Yacht Club! It was truly the best day ever!!! BYC took such great care of us during the entire process! Sarah is the wedding coordinator and she is truly amazing! She went above and beyond to make sure our day was special, seamless, and everything we wanted!! Perry was fabulous helping us figure out our alcohol packages! The catering staff were all so nice, joyful and extremely helpful! The chef was very flexible and happy to accommodate our special requests and the food was amazing! My grandparents are still talking about the food!! The day was beautiful, fun, special, amazing and better than I could have imagined! 10/10 would recommend getting married at BYC!!

Every girl dreams of their wedding day but who would ever think those dreams would be exceeded beyond your imagination, well in our case it was! Having our wedding and ceremony at Balboa Yacht Club (BYC)was one of the best decisions we made in the planning process! Together with our wedding planner, Kelsey Connelly and the catering department at BYC, our entire planning process from start to finish was so easy. We worked with Lori Baumann and Holly Weber from BYC, they are extremely organized, professional and responded almost immediately to every email and phone call we had along the way. They never tried to persuade us with decisions but were extremely helpful when we needed guidance or suggestion, like fresh shucked oysters and speciality smoked cocktails! We couldn’t have been happier with the BYC service and staff. During our tasting, we hand selected a menu fit for our palette and BYC delivered! Our guests boasted about the food including the amazing appetizers during cocktail hour which included, Petrossian Caviar, charcuterie and cheese display that was 52’ around the entire flagpole! Yes 52’ and all was designed and inspired by Lori and the culinary team. Balboa Yacht Club treats you like a 5 stars resort with a very personal feel! If you want the perfect venue, the friendliest staff, and the most incredible view I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND BYC!

When you get engaged, a huge overwhelming rush comes upon you. Where are you going to have the ceremony, reception, food, drinks, decor, color scheme, flowers, etc. When I started my journey on finding a venue for my reception, it took me a while to find the perfect one. It wasn't until I walked into the Balboa Yacht Club and met Israel and his wonderful staff that I knew I found the perfect place to have my wedding. The venue itself has gone through various updates which has been even more appealing. New carpet, remodeled bathrooms, new furniture, paint, windows, etc. The venue is absolutely perfect if you're looking for an intimate, romantic and memorable wedding. I had my ceremony at a nearby church and my cocktail hour and reception were at the BYC. I had 175 guests. Now, there's nothing like being right on the water. The BYC is the perfect set up for cocktail hour. We had high-top cocktail tables and low-top tables with umbrellas. The space is open where people can take pictures on the docks, etc. (just an all- around beautiful setting). Our reception was so incredible. I teared up when I first walked in before they brought the guests up. The best thing in my opinion that I did was decorate the (11) chandeliers with greenery. It made it that much more intimate and warm. Brides --- if you're looking for a venue with excellent, accommodating and professional service, it's at the BYC. Israel is who I worked with most and he always followed up with me in a timely manner and would always be willing to speak with me or my planner over the phone or schedule a time for me to come in and look around to get ideas. I had the most memorable and beautiful wedding and everything went off without a hitch. Absolutely nothing went wrong! It was perfect. I couldn't be more thankful, grateful, lucky and blessed to have chosen the BYC for my wedding venue. I had an overall wonderful experience.

The Balboa Yacht Club was the perfect venue for our ceremony and reception. Israel and his team helped us (bride and groom) prepare for our day way in advance so all we had to do was show up on our wedding day. We went with a buffet for our dinning option and we received all positive feedback. In addition, the bar staff was able to accommodate all our guests quickly which made for very happy guests. BYC was our first and only choice for our reception and when we told them our vision for our ceremony they were able to accommodate us for very list extra costs.

There is no better venue then the Balboa Yacht Club. First class location as well as service!! Israel the Catering Director is the BEST!! He will make you feel so comfortable working with him. The Food is wonderful and Israel will help you create a custom menu that will make your event so special. Balboa Yacht Club should be everyones first choice for a wedding or any social event. Israel and the staff are the Greatest!!!!!!!!!!

The entire staff went over and above to make this wedding a successful event. It was not an easy task as we had rain up until 25 minutes before the event but they charged forward and had everything dry, clean and ready to go for the ceremony. The venue is beautiful with a lot of outdoor space for bars, photo booth, etc. The food was very good and many of our guest complimented on the fact that it was some of the best event food they have had. Israel, the banquet manager, was easy to work with and cooperative. He did everything he could do to accommodate all of our wishes and was very flexible. We could not have been happier with the way the wedding and reception went at the Yacht Club.

Beautiful venue! We were able to have the wedding ceremony against the beautiful backdrop of Newport Harbor and the reception with excellent food and wine in an intimate, private atmosphere. Many services and amenities were included which helped with both the cost and the organization. Israel and staff were very accommodating and eager to help achieve our dream wedding. Our guests are still raving about the food- filets and salmon could not have been prepared better. Also, with just a few items rented, the yacht club "vibe" was completely changed to a very formal, elegant event. Amazing how easy it was to make the transformation. We highly recommend Balboa Yacht Club!

Balboa Yacht Club is a hidden gem of a venue. Beautiful bayfront views of Newport Harbor and yachts for a great price. Israel, the Director of FB was always there to answer any questions we had and assist with any custom setup requests. Our wedding day was absolutely perfect and everything went smooth. The banquet food was delicious, all of our guests were so impressed. Highly suggest having your wedding at the BYC, especially if your going for a nautical theme.

When my husband and I began planning the wedding reception and dinner for our daughter's wedding, numerous friends recommended the Balboa Yacht Club as the ideal location for our daughter's wedding reception, held on October 25, 2014. We had the pleasure of working with Israel Castell, the Banquet Manager, who did an outstanding job of ensuring that every aspect of our daughter's wedding reception and dinner was handled beautifully. Israel's follow-up and efforts resulted in a successful, joyful evening that truly met all our expectations.
Israel graciously met with us regularly, advising us on every aspect of planning the reception. He helped us select the dinner entrees, advised us on the alcohol selections, and suggested a table layout for the downstairs cocktail reception, as well as efficiently handling numerous other details we had requested. One of our key concerns for the dinner reception was that the dinner entrees served would be delicious and well-received by our guests, and Israel assured us that the Chef, Felipe, was excellent. Israel helped us in selecting the entrees, which were New York Steak, Chicken Piccata, and Vegetable Risotto, and all three of the entrees were outstanding. In addition, every detail we requested on the table layout and linens was done beautifully, and the entire evening was a very special and memorable one for both ourselves and our guests.
We also appreciated the fact that even though my husband and I are not members at the BYC, both Israel and his staff were consistently professional, courteous, and gracious to us, as well as making our guests feel comfortable and welcomed at the reception. We highly recommend the Balboa Yacht Club and are grateful for the outstanding help from Israel Castell and his staff. They truly did an outstanding job in every way, and we are happy to highly recommend the Balboa Yacht Club to our friends and business associates for any special occasion.

My husband and I got married at the Balboa Yacht Club on November 2nd, 2013. We had over 200 guests and The BYC completely delivered on all of our expectations. Russell Miller is the food and beverage director there and he was amazing! He got us everything we needed and made sure that everything went smoothly on the night of the wedding. He was always beyond accommodating and he had answers to all my questions as well as super helpful suggestions!

If we had to do it all over again, I would do it in a heart beat and i wouldn't change a thing. The food was great, the servers were awesome, the bar tenders were amazing . . . We were so happy. A dream come true . . . Thank you Russell and the BYC!!!

one word: AMAZING! BYC is seriously the most perfect place to have a wedding. We were so lucky to be able to have our wedding here! My husband and I were very impressed with Russell and his staff's diligence in making sure our reception went flawlessly (and it really was the most perfect day). Russell was a pleasure to work with through the entire wedding planning process. With everything on his plate, he made sure that we felt comfortable with all the decisions being made- cocktail area setup, bar area, outside back patio space utilization, table floor plan, dance floor etc. We made a few stops at the club to view the space to make sure we could implement the design ideas that we had & BYC was very welcoming. You may be thinking- well its a yacht club with members who can come in whenever- don't worry- the members WILL NOT barge into your wedding-it is very private and intimate. We had a guest list of about 190 plus rented a bigger dance floor (our families like to dance) and we did not feel crowded or tight- for someone as claustrophobic as me- this was great- there was more than enough space for us all! If you have any questions and want a Bride's perspective on anything, please do not hesitate to email me (ask Russell at BYC for my contact info)- I 100% vouch for this place as the best place to have a wedding in Newport Beach or in OC for that matter. With spectacular views, very reasonable pricing, and guests raving on for days about how great the food was- definitely worth every penny (so say's my dad).

I can't say enough good things about BYC The venue is absolutely beautiful and charming. Russell and staff were wonderful and very accommodating. They made our special day a truly wonderful experience. Not to mention the food was incredible! We received sooo many compliments from our guests about this place and on the food and drinks. Truly the best place to get married in Newport Beach that combines elements of outdoor ceremony right on the beautiful bay with a lovely reception room.

This place is the whole package. The most beautiful view, delicious food, and incredible staff. 100 % would recommend this place to anyone. Everything went without a hitch and the place looked amazing.
So happy with the BYC. And thank you thank you to Russell Miller who is the easiest person to work with.

I can't say enough about BYC and Russell the event manager. Honestly, the site is naturally gorgeous, so it would work for minimalist brides or those who are looking to save money on decorations. The ballroom is newly renovated and is absolutely beautiful. Russell and his team helped us throw an epic party in August. We had over 200 people and an 80's band. Russell made everything happen and worked flawlessly with my vendors and coordinator to make the night stress-free and great for everyone. I wouldn't change a thing about our wedding - great food, great people, incredible venue! Russell and the BYC staff made planning the wedding a dream...took away any stress I may have. Also, you can't ask for a better venue to take breathtaking photos. Choose BYC for your venue! You will not regret it :)

My daughter's wedding at the Balboa Yacht Club was perfect! Russell Miller, the Food and Beverage Director, was so easy to work with, helpful with ideas for the event and flexible with changes as we made them over the months of planning. The food was good and all of the staff, waiters and valets were attentive and helpful. The yacht club is a beautiful setting and we couldn't have asked for a better reception. Thanks!
Susan Alford

Russell the events coordinator there is amazing and such a dream to work with!! It was 100 degress on my wedding day and he offered me his air conditioned office so I could cool down. I was so lucky to work with such a great vendor.

The Balboa Yacht Club is a beautiful venue with amazing food, but what really sets this place apart is the level of service the Food and Beverage Director/Venue Director Russell Miller provides. He was so accommodating and utilized so many resources to take our wedding to the next level without exceeding our desired budget. We highly recommend checking out the Balboa Yacht Club and speaking with Russell Miller when searching for your wedding venue.

Our wedding at Balboa Yacht Club was a dream come true. The location and view of the harbor are hands down the best in town. The club itself is lovely and the service is top notch. The food was great and the drinks are very well poured. The different wedding packages offered are incredible for what they include and are definitely a good value. I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the pricing was for the superior location and high quality of service we received.
We were married on the club’s lawn overlooking the harbor, and cocktail hour was also outside on the downstairs deck. We had countless guests comment on how amazing the location was… beautiful sailboats in the background and views all the way down Newport Harbor. It was perfect!
The reception was held in the club’s dining room which was, you guessed it, also perfect! The room is large and can accommodate a big group comfortably. Dancing was really important to us, and the space holds a large dance floor, no problem. The high, vaulted ceilings in the room make it feel bright and light, and the windows overlooking the bayfront are amazing. Sunset from this location is out of this world. We served dinner to guests during sunset and snuck out to take pictures by the water with our photographer. The pictures turned out amazing!
Planning our wedding was made simple by the club staff. Everyone was helpful and highly professional. The Food and Beverage Director, Russell, was super accommodating and basically said YES to everything we wanted:) What more can you ask for?! All around, this is a dream venue for any bride with high expectations and discerning taste. I couldn’t be happier.
PS, I just want to say that I have never, ever written a review on ANY website, but felt compelled to share what a great experience we had. Hope this is helpful to other brides!

Big thank you to Russell and the Balboa Yacht Club team for the wedding of our dreams! We held our ceremony and reception at the club and every detail was absolute perfection. Our ceremony pics are stunning with the water and Balboa Island in the background. The reception area was equally romantic. The food and drink service was also excellent... they were able to accommodate special requests (signature cocktails!) This is a beautiful wedding venue for Newport/CDM brides (or those who are fans of the area!)

Balboa Yacht Club served as the location for our wedding reception and it was nothing but perfect!! My husband and I searched and visited numerous Newport Beach locations and nothing came close to the view at Balboa Yacht Club. The second we walked into the dining area we knew this is where we would be having our reception. The location is top notch with incredible views. Our out of state guests were in aw of the water view and all of the boats parked outside. The dining area is beautiful and intimate and needs little decoration. Cocktail hour was outside and everyone enjoyed being out in the sun with drinks in hand! The bar area was outside on the patio and my guests told me that was one of their favorite parts. I was also told by my guests that my food was the best they have ever had at any wedding. The staff and Russ were amazing and the entire night went off without a hitch. Everyone is very professional and organized and the entire night was stress free! Russ worked with our budget and made my wedding day truly unforgettable!!!

We got married in May at the Balboa Yacht Club (BYC) in Corona del Mar and in one word, it was PERFECTION. We loved the venue – having the ceremony and cocktail hour outside along Newport Harbor was picturesque and the reception in the yacht club main dining room was California chic – elegant yet understated. The neutral wall colors and high ceilings made it open and airy and easy to transform with our wedding colors – coral and navy. The room has big floor to ceiling windows so the view could be enjoyed all night – the sunsets are amazing and add a romantic feeling. There are two patios that we utilized – one for the bar and the other for a dessert terrace – so having outside space to get some air was great. There is even a little beach within walking distance where we took family and bridal party photos. We looked at so many venues before selecting the BYC and it was one of the best wedding decisions we made. The pricing was unbeatable and they have several packages to fit any budget. You can make it as grandiose or intimate as you want – they don’t judge you – they just want you to have the wedding of your dreams.

We worked with their Banquet Manager, Russell Miller, who just made everything easy. He understood how much extra stress comes with planning a wedding, so when it came to selecting the food, table configuration, bar set-up – it was simple. He let us talk about our vision for the perfect day and he did everything he could to achieve it. He was so responsive on email and phone and we knew what was going on at all times. He paid attention to the details and went above and beyond to make sure our vision was properly executed.

I would recommend this venue in a heartbeat. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed everything and found the BYC setting, food – really delicious, staff and overall location to be top notch. Most of them felt honored to have been a part of such a special day in such a magnificent setting. I already told Russell we wanted to have our one year anniversary party at the BYC. We can’t imagine a better place to celebrate!

We are so happy we had our wedding at the Balboa Yacht Club. Because we aren't members, we had a family friend who is a member sponsor us. We looked at a TON of places before finding this local gem and were shocked at how great the package was that Russell put together for us. The ceremony site looks over the water, as does the cocktail hour. The reception room has full glass windows so you can look out on the harbor as you dance. We had New York Steak and Seabass for dinner, both of which were excellent. Russell was extremely accomodating and let us hang lanterns, hang a sign over the fireplace, add twinkle lights outside. Basically everything we wanted to do, he worked with us in making it happen. The room was gorgeous and the ceremony outside was breathtaking. It was really nice for us to have the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception at the same venue with so much family in from out of town. There wasn't a single thing we would change, we loved it!

My husband and I were married at the Mission San Juan Capistrano and then had our reception at the Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, CA. I want to begin this review/blog/opinion column by stating that I am not the kind of person to take the time to submit my opinions of any kind online; however, in this case, I felt a deep sense of obligation to brides- to- be to know about one of the best kept secrets in Orange County and to reward the people who made my wedding an unforgettable experience.

One person in particular, Russell Miller, made my entire wedding planning experience seamless. I met him with my mother and future mother -in -law a few months prior to the big day. I really appreciated his high level of professionalism and his calm demeanor from the moment I met him. While the three of us enjoyed a glass of fine white wine in the dining room Russell took extensive notes on every detail that I voiced from white lights on the patio to a canon ball going off to signal dinner to my guests. This was my first time planning a wedding and to every single question he had a simple answer and reassurance that it would be� taken care of�. The expression, �the devil is in the details� is so applicable to wedding planning and thankfully, Russell took care of all of them. At all times it was about me and making me feel relaxed and excited about this special day.

Additionally, I was on a serious budget( I am one of 10 children) and he worked with me on all the prices. So many venues in the OC were really fabulous venues like Rancho Las Lomas and Seven Degrees, but I don�t have the budget for $5,000-$7,000 site fee.

The Balboa Yacht Club offers your guests one of the greatest views of the harbor and sets the nautical tone for your reception. It was such a beautiful day with sailboats on the water during the cocktail hour and a breathtaking sunset during dinner. Russell made sure we ate our dinner by bringing it out early to us so we could eat and then walk around to welcome our guests (I highly recommend it!). He also made sure I always had a nice glass of wine in hand even though I kept setting it down and forgetting where I put it!

If you want an incredible wedding that is affordable and unforgetable- the Balboa Yacht Club is for you. Also, forget wedding cake- I served Balboa bars and people loved it!!

Ask for Russell!

Balboa Yacht Club was a beautiful and affordable location for our wedding and reception! Everything ran smoothly and the staff was great! It was helpful that they allow you to begin setting up any additional items (i.e., name cards, gift table, picture display, etc.) anytime after 10 am the morning of the event. This gave my family ample time to set up without feeling rushed. My husband and I are very pleased with the service we were provided by BYC.

The Balboa Yacht Club was a fantastic place to get married and have a reception. Russell, the banquet director, was easy to work wth and he gave some great recommendations- from our photographer, Shannon Mills, to our wedding favors, A Little Scene, his recommendations enhanced our wedding that much more. The ceremony location is right on the water and the background could not be any more beautiful for pictures and for your guests. After that, you move into a spaciuos, cathedral ceiling reception room that doesn't need much in way of decorations since the room itself is already gorgeous. All in all, I would highly recommend the Balboa Yacht Club for anyone's wedding due to its ambiance, reasonable pricing, professional staff and phenomenal location.