Long before Alta was a coffee house, the building was actually a boat building business owned by Robert Dorris Boat Works. Robert began vacationing in Balboa with his family in the ‘20s when he was small and, remembering the area fondly, eventually made Newport Beach his permanent home and work place. Robert was a talented naval designer and he began building boats at a very young age. His reputation was stellar and he had some very interesting contracts with the likes of the OC County Fire District, Lifeguard Rescue boats, and even Walt Disney. We hope that you appreciate and enjoy this carefully curated tribute to Robert Dorris, the original owner of this quaint cottage and what was then a sand lot and wood shop.