As we prepare for the 4th of July festivities, I wanted to share what has been my favorite 4th of July destination since I was a kid. The Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, CA. I have been celebrating 4th of July in the Newport for over three decades. Two and a half as a tourist and the last four years as a resident. A neighborhood parade, fireworks over the bay, and crazy tourists create the perfect balance of small town Americana and excitement.
I remember when my wife and I would visit Balboa and look at the real estate listings in the local realtor’s window. We would “wish” for the day we would be able to afford one of the homes in town. We would joke about being grateful for even the most rundown shack that we might be able to fix up and call our own.
Through hard work and commitment, we purchased a home on the Balboa Peninsula two blocks from the ferry pictured here four years ago. It was not exactly a shack, but an original 1923 California Bungalow that we thought had a lot of character. We completely renovated it from the ground up, and today my wife Mia, daughter Bella, and our dog Woody share our 1400 sq.ft. dream home. To see my daughter, spend 4th of July living in a neighborhood I could have only dreamed of as a kid is a blessing.
The 4th of July for me is a time to share great barbeque, laughs, and gratitude for the freedom and opportunity we all have in this country. This 4th of July I am thankful for a career, family, and home that I love. I hope that where ever your favorite 4th of July spot is, that you spend it there creating memories with the people that matter most in your life.
Happy 4th!
Robert J. Luna
CEO and Chief Investment Strategist – Surevest Private Wealth
