Best for paddlers, sailors and anyone who likes dinner with a view of the boats.
What the bay and marina are like
Alamitos Bay is the sheltered water on the east side of Long Beach, wrapped by the Peninsula, Naples and Belmont Shore. Its marina opened in the late 1950s and is now 1,624 slips, all rebuilt in a $105 million renovation, so the view from almost anywhere around the bay is masts, docks and boats coming and going through the channel.
This is Long Beach’s playground for getting on the water. The bay is calm enough for a first time on a paddleboard, there are kayaks, sailboats and gondolas, and several yacht clubs call it home. Marine Stadium, the long rowing course at the top of the bay, hosted the rowing at the 1932 Olympic Games.
On land, the marina is ringed by restaurants with patios over the water, from seafood and California cooking to Mexican, burgers and brunch, and the 2ND & PCH shopping center sits across the road. You don’t need a boat to enjoy any of it.
Plan your visit
- Where
- East Long Beach, around Pacific Coast Highway and Second Street, next to Naples and the Peninsula
- On the water
- Paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing and gondola cruises
- Beaches
- Bay Shore Beach and Mother’s Beach, both calm bay water with swim areas
- Dining and shopping
- Waterfront restaurants around the marina; 2ND & PCH across the road
- Closest airport
- Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Things to do around the bay
Get on the water, eat beside it, or just watch the boats. Four places to know:
Alamitos Bay Marina
Walk the waterfront past 1,624 slips, from day sailers to yachts, with restaurants and shops along the way. The docks themselves are gated for boat owners; the views are free. Alamitos Bay Marina.
Paddle from Bay Shore Beach
The easiest place to launch: a loading area for kayaks and paddleboards, a rinse-off area and a rental shop next door, with a roped-off swim area beside it. Paddle out past the moored boats toward Naples. Bay Shore Beach.
2ND & PCH
An open-air shopping center across from the marina, with restaurants, shops and a parking garage. Handy for a meal or a forgotten vacation essential. Visit 2ND & PCH.
For calm-water swimming with a playground and lawn, Mother’s Beach sits on the bay at the edge of Naples, just below Marine Stadium. And for the slowest way across the water, our gondola guide covers a cruise through the Naples canals.
Swimming, paddling and sailing
Alamitos Bay is flat, sheltered water with no surf, which is exactly what makes it good for a paddle. Launch at Bay Shore Beach or from the small pier at Mother’s Beach, stay out of the swim areas and the main channel, and give the boats plenty of room.
For a swim, use the designated swim areas at those two beaches rather than the water around the docks. Bay Shore also has a 500-yard open-water course for strong swimmers; Mother’s Beach has lifeguards at peak times and a playground for the kids. Check the city’s beach water-quality updates before you get in, especially after rain.
Want to sail? The bay’s yacht clubs and the Leeway Sailing Center at Bay Shore Beach make it a natural place to learn. Dogs aren’t allowed on the bay beaches; Rosie’s Dog Beach in Belmont Shore is the off-leash spot.
Parking and getting around
Park for where you’re going: 2ND & PCH has its own garage, Mother’s Beach has a lot behind the sand, and around the marina, read the signs, because the designated boater parking is for slip holders. If you’re bringing boards, unload at the beach you’re launching from.
Once you’re here, the waterfront paths make the marina a pleasant walk, and Naples, Belmont Shore and the Peninsula are next door. For downtown and north Long Beach, drive or take a rideshare; the city also points to Long Beach Transit buses and seasonal water taxis. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is the closest airport.
A day on the bay
- Morning paddle. Launch at Bay Shore while the water is glassy, and paddle out toward Naples and back.
- Lunch over the boats. Find a patio on the marina and watch the sailboats head out.
- Afternoon your way. A swim at Mother’s Beach, a browse at 2ND & PCH, or a sunset gondola through the canals.
Not everyone wants to get wet? Pick a meeting point and let the paddlers paddle while everyone else watches from a patio.
Alamitos Bay questions
Can you swim in Alamitos Bay?
Yes, in the designated swim areas at Bay Shore Beach and Mother’s Beach. Check the city’s water-quality updates first, and don’t swim around the marina docks.
Where can you launch a paddleboard?
Bay Shore Beach has a loading area for kayaks and paddleboards, with a rental shop next door. Mother’s Beach has a small pier for boats and boards.
How big is the Alamitos Bay Marina?
1,624 slips, all rebuilt in a $105 million renovation. Alamitos Bay Marina.
Is Alamitos Bay the same as Alamitos Beach?
No. Alamitos Bay is the calm bay on the east side of the city. Alamitos Beach is the ocean beach by downtown; it’s on our Downtown & Shoreline page.
Is 2ND & PCH the same as Second Street in Belmont Shore?
No. 2ND & PCH is a shopping center at 6480 E. Pacific Coast Highway. Second Street in Belmont Shore is the neighborhood’s main street.
Do you need a boat to enjoy the marina?
Not at all. Waterfront dining, the walking paths, a paddle from Bay Shore or a gondola cruise make a full day without one.
