A little Italian inspiration, a distinctly Long Beach escape
Naples offers a different side of a Southern California vacation. Its canals wind through a residential waterfront neighborhood, with gardens, curved bridges and homes along the water. The setting takes inspiration from Italy, while palms and the surrounding Alamitos Bay give it a coastal California character. Explore the neighborhood with Visit Long Beach.
From a gondola, the scenery becomes the occasion. Settle into your seat, let the conversation wander and watch the neighborhood pass at water level. If your vacation has become a list of places to check off, make this the part where you leave a little room to linger.
Plan your Long Beach gondola ride
Gondola Getaway runs Venetian-style gondola cruises through Naples, on a loop through the canals in Alamitos Bay. Browse the operator’s cruise options.
- Departure
- 5437 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
- Contact
- (562) 433-9595
- Traditional cruise
- About 50 minutes
- Reservations
- Book ahead; same-day availability isn’t guaranteed
- Arrival
- Allow 15 minutes to check in, or at least 30 on summer days and weekends to find parking
- Parking
- A free lot behind the building and free street parking; spaces aren’t reserved
Confirm the meeting point on the operator’s contact page, check the traditional cruise details and review the latest arrival and parking guidance.
Choose the mood: afternoon, sunset or evening
A scenic afternoon
Choose daylight if the homes, gardens and canal details are the point. Make the ride an unhurried break between exploring and dinner.
A romantic sunset ride
Look for a departure near sunset, and check the sunset time for your date before booking. Leave room to arrive without rushing; light and weather will shape the ride.
An evening on the water
Pick a later departure for an after-dinner outing. Put the phone away for a few minutes and watch the reflections change.
Visiting during the holidays? Naples is known for its decorated homes and boats. Check seasonal cruise availability with the operator; decorations vary by date and street. See Visit Long Beach’s Naples guide.
A date night, a family outing or a reason to celebrate
A private gondola cruise gives couples a setting for an anniversary, a birthday or a well-planned date. Gondola Getaway’s traditional cruise welcomes all ages, with optional extras such as roses and a message in a bottle. See traditional cruises and add-ons.
Traveling with a larger group? The operator’s Grand Venetian is built for group outings and has a removable center table. Ask which boat suits your party and confirm capacity before you reserve. Explore the Grand Venetian.
Make an evening of it in Naples and Belmont Shore
Build your plans around the cruise instead of squeezing it between reservations. Here’s a relaxed way to spend the evening:
- Start with time to explore. Browse Second Street in Belmont Shore, where shops, cafes and restaurants make an easy start to the evening. Explore Belmont Shore.
- Head to the dock early. Leave a buffer for travel, parking and check-in.
- Let the ride be the main event. Take a few photos, then settle in and enjoy being together.
- Keep dinner flexible. Choose a restaurant in Naples or Belmont Shore and allow time after your return before a dinner reservation.
A suggestion, not a schedule: adjust the order to your cruise time, your dinner plans and where you’re staying.
What to bring
Pack a light jacket, comfortable shoes and a charged phone for photos. On its traditional cruises, Gondola Getaway lets guests bring their own drinks and simple snacks, and provides cups, ice buckets and blankets. Check your package before packing. Review what’s included.
If boarding is a concern, contact the operator first. A ramp leads to the dock, but boarding means stepping down onto the seat and then the floor of the gondola, so talk through your needs before reserving. Read the boarding information.
Gondola rides in Long Beach: questions
Where do gondola rides take place in Long Beach?
Gondola Getaway cruises a loop through the Naples canals in Alamitos Bay, leaving from 5437 E Ocean Blvd. See the operator’s route information.
How much does a Long Beach gondola ride cost?
It depends on the cruise, your party size and any extras. Check current rates for your date, and confirm the total and gratuity before paying. View traditional cruise pricing.
Are the rides private?
Yes. Gondola Getaway says every cruise is reserved for your party alone. Check its cruise FAQs.
Can children come along?
The traditional cruise welcomes all ages. Give your full party size, children included, when you book. Review traditional cruise details.
Can I plan a proposal or anniversary surprise?
Ask about celebration add-ons when you reserve, and coordinate the details with the operator ahead of time so the surprise fits your cruise. Explore the extras.
