Why You Should Take a Gondola Ride in Long Beach to See the Christmas Lights
Today I want to share my guide to why you should take a gondola ride in Long Beach to see the Christmas lights along the Naples Canals in Los Angeles County. The holiday decorations on the houses on Naples Island are worth a special trip, and viewing them from a Venetian gondola at sunset is nothing short of magical. Read on for the highlights of this special Southern California experience.
Gondola Ride in Long Beach to See the Christmas Lights
If you're in Los Angeles County before or after December 25th, one of the most fun and festive things you can do is check out the Christmas lights in Long Beach.
The canals of Naples Island are nothing short of magical at this time of year, and seeing the twinkling houses brighten up the night sky is a great way to celebrate the season.
While you can take a gondola trip here any time of year, the Holiday Lights Cruise is one of the most popular. You can go on an evening gondola ride in Long Beach to see the Christmas lights all throughout December (apart from the 25th). The festive lights and decorations here help make LA one of the best Christmas getaways in California.
Gondola cruises in Long Beach depart from a dock on E Ocean Boulevard, go on a mile-long loop through the Naples Canals, and arrive back at the dock at the end.
There are options for 50-minute private rides for up to 6 people in smaller gondolas, and up to 14 people in larger ones.
Professional gondoliers paddle parties through the canals, and many of them serenade passengers with songs as they go. You can request a singing gondolier when you book if you want to make sure you get one. They'll also take a photo of you along the way.
Long Beach Christmas Gondola Ride
I went on a gondola ride in Long Beach to see the Christmas lights with a group of 7 people. We arrived just before sunset, found easy parking on the street, and walked to the gondola office behind the Leeway Sailing & Aquatics Center.
After checking in, we headed down to the dock and boarded our pre-booked extra-long boat. The gondola was decorated with flowers and festooned with cozy blankets, and it looked every bit the authentic Venetian vessel.
We brought our own drinks and snacks (ice, cups, and buckets were provided), and got them out as we boarded the gondola and snuggled up under the blankets.
We departed the dock just as the golden hour light was getting good. Our gondolier paddled us across Alamitos Bay and into the canals of Naples Island. As we approached, we were greeted by everything from festive lights to a life-size figure of a pirate captain.
Our gondolier ferried us through the Rivo Alto canal that cuts through the Naples Islands in Long Beach, serenading us with songs that echoed off the houses and filled the air with rich tones.
As we passed under the Accademia, Ravenna, Toledo, Neapolitan East, and Treasure Island bridges, we passed by boats and other gondolas. It was magical to take in the twinkling lights on the houses as the sun sank down in the sky. I loved how the lights ranged from glowing borders to full-blown festive extravaganzas.
After navigating the Naples Canals, the gondolier paddled us back across Alamitos Bay. The sunset was in full color by then, and we enjoyed a spectacular orange-and-purple sky as we glided along the water and back to the dock.
When we arrived, we were greeted by a lit-up display featuring a giant Italian flag on the roof of the gondola office. It was a fun welcome, and a festive way to end our ride.
We capped off the evening with dinner at a nearby restaurant called Yard House in Shoreline Village. This waterfront place overlooks Rainbow Harbor, and it was a fun spot to tuck into classic American dishes and drinks after our Christmas lights cruise.
Gondola Ride in Long Beach for the Christmas Lights
I hope my guide to going on a gondola ride in Long Beach to see the Christmas lights has inspired you to get out on the water yourself this holiday season. You can watch my YouTube video about it if you want to see more.
If you'd like to follow in my footsteps (er, gondola wake), you can book your tour through a company called The Gondola Getaway. Make sure to reserve well in advance to get your preferred date and time slot, as this is a popular winter activity. Bookings for the Holiday Lights Cruise open July 1st. Happy Holidays!
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