Distal access balloon guide catheter system for delivering implantable devices, catheters, or substances in or near and/or restoring flow through body lumens, such as blood vessel lumens, or inflating balloons affixed to the distal end of the guide catheter system are described. A Distal access balloon guide catheter (100) having a proximal region, an optional medial region of intermediate flexibility, and distal region possessing high flexibility, high resistance to kinking and a large lumen to wall thickness ratio. The balloon (118) is inflated by means of a kink-resistant secondary lumen (204) embedded within the walls of the balloon guide catheter system tubing (102).