Sundance Thrift | Balboa

Sundance Thrift Shop- Balboa Island

Small but Mighty

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For those who love a good treasure hunt with heart.

You could walk right past it and never know it’s there. We did! Twice, actually, before spotting the hand-drawn chalkboard sign pointing down walkway just off Marine Avenue. But that’s part of the magic, the moment you finally find it feels like you discovered something special. Follow the arrow through a sunny courtyard, and there you discover the blue photobooth and a cheerful yellow umbrella, and you’ll find yourself in one of Orange County’s most charming thrifting experiences.

The Space

Sundance Thrift Shop (Balboa Island) occupies a couple hundred square feet but every inch earns its keep. The layout is intentional, denim and men’s organized neatly off to the right, women’s along the back wall, children’s tucked in a neat corner, a “Staff Picks” section across from the register, tables with random knick-knacks, and at least one piece of statement jewelry that makes your reconsider your whole look.

The vibe is curated garage sale meets your coolest friend’s closet. Organized enough to browse easily, wonderfully eclectic enough to feel like you might actually find something.

What We Found

A denim section that punches way above its weight class. Home decor that leans coastal:  ceramic dishes, picture frames, the occasional brass candlestick that would cost $45 at an antique store. A vintage coffee table book about classic cars, which my friend purchased as a Christmas gift for her dad.

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The People

When we visited, we met the owner who was working alongside his daughter who was around 7 or 8 years old. She rang up our purchase like a pro! Along the side of the store there is a sign that sits on a merchandise table explaining the family mission: “We are a family-owned thrift shop that believes in sustainability and community.” At the foot of the table, old milk crates hold the vinyl collection. The kind of setup that makes you want to crouch down and flip through every single record. 

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This is exactly why we started ThriftStar. Sundance represents everything we believe in, shopping small, supporting locally owned businesses, and pushing back against the fast fashion cycle that’s filling landfills at an alarming rate. Every item at Sundance is getting a second life. The denim jacket someone outgrew becomes your new favorite layer. The coffee table book collecting dust in one home becomes the perfect gift in another. When you shop here, you’re not just scoring a good find, you’re keeping something out of a landfill and putting money back into Orange County in was that actually matter. 

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Sundance Thrift Shop accepts donations. So before you throw something out, consider giving it a second life. 

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MAKE A DAY OF IT

Balboa Island is built for wandering and Sundance Thrift Shop fits perfectly into a lazy afternoon itinerary. 

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LUNCH: New Shanghai Pine Garden 

Found on Marine Ave., a neighborhood Chinese spot that’s been here forever. Nothing fancy, just good food and the kind of comfortable atmosphere where the conversation lingers. 

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STROLL: Marine Avenue

Walk off lunch along Marine Avenue, popping into the small boutiques and galleries. The island is tiny, you can cover the main drag in 20 minutes if you’re focused, two hours if you’re not. 

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PHOTOS: Photo Booth 

Don’t skip the photo booth in the courtyard in front of the store. It’s the perfect souvenir of a day spent on this tiny island. No appointment needed. 

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TREAT: Dad’s Original Frozen Banana Stand

Cross the street to Dad’s Original Frozen Banana Stand. It’s been here for decades, and the chocolate-dipped Balboa Bars are a right of passage. If you’ve never had one, this is your chance. If you have, you already know. 

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ALTERNATE: Toastique

If you need caffeine instead of sugar, Toastique does a solid iced matcha latte. 

END: 

Wander the residential streets before heading back. Balboa Island’s California bungalows are half the charm. Peek at historic homes, cross the bridge over the marina, and let the afternoon stretch.

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