Naples Canals

An amazing hidden jewel in the lost sectors of Long Beach. The neighborhood is beautiful. The house are fucking charming. The canal is out of this continent. It feels like Amsterdam but not as packed. I loved it but wasn’t so fond of the haughty residents who didn’t appreciate diversity as much as the next person.

Oh my Christmas! Some of the very best Christmas lights in California can be found along Naples Island in Long Beach, a series of beautiful (and bright!) homes located along the canals. Folks in this neighborhood go ALL OUT — snowflakes, life-​size Nativity scenes, polar bears, dragons, more dolls and teddy bears than you could ever imagine — Naples has it all.
Insider’s tip: bring cash for hot chocolate (many of the residents sell the stuff outside their homes — donation only). If you’re feeling extra special, take a romantic gondola ride through the canal-​ways.
Easy parking in the Mother’s Beach lot.

Long Beach is one of my fave places to go on spontaneous adventures with the hubby. This year, we’ve decided to start a new tradition of walking around Naples during Christmas season and enjoy the different Christmas decors/​lights. Hands down, it looks better than Sleepy Hollow in PV. In the upcoming years, for sure it’ll get even way better and all the houses will be lit!
I suggest going around the canal. The walk is doable as long as you come prepared. Sweats are perfect and boots! Don’t forget a beanie! Have your phone charged to take lots and lots of pictures! Lastly, respect the residents’ privacy. Don’t be rude!

Love going to these lights every year Wish it was year round they are on a canal so it does get a bit chilly but besides that I love them.

Wonderful walk especially during Holiday Season with all of the marvelous Christmas lights. It is a perfect way to end a nice date night in Long Beach. There was Christmas carolers, plenty of selfie opportunities and gondolas carrying happy people to see the lights.

Perfect place to walk around at night and look at Christmas lights. It’s really really cold so bring a jacket or a coat! Everyone in this neighborhood is really nice. The house decorations are super cute along the harbor. There are also cute house decorations in the neighborhoods too. We usually walk towards the harbor and the boats first and then we walk back through the neighborhood. I’ve been coming here every year to look at decorations for three years now. It gets better and better each year! Some houses get really crazy and creative on the decorations

My brother turned me on to this place and now I’m going every year and telling everyone about it. Dress warm and bring snacks because you will do a lot of walking. Love the extent these homeowners went to decorate for the holidays. There are some really elaborate themes :-) this is a must for adults as well as children.

There is no parking except at the school! $ 15 the boat parade is not what it used to be. We stayed until 10pm and still hardly any boats can out. Not sure what happened but I loved it as a kid. The napals are nice, lots of things to do.

I find myself here more than I want to be. But definitely a great neighborhood and it’s sure growing on me. The Neighbors are nice and friendly always greeting us with welcome smiles. The view is always beautiful and calming. And the houses along the canals are absolutely stunning, even the smaller older houses.
During the Christmas holiday season they are busy and holidays lights are everywhere. It’s just stunning! Even better with great company!
Too bad it costs an arm and an leg to live here!

I came to this area last week while in Long Beach for the first time. I was looking for something outdoors and low-​key to do for a few hours and this was perfect. I walked around, looking at multi-​million dollar homes and gorgeous views for two hours. Some areas were closed to construction but we still were able to see most of the area.

Another one of those gems, (hidden if you don’t get out and around much), but more so if you don’t have friends or ties in Long Beach. My kids father is the one who turned me on to the LB and I remember back then it use to be my spot to go salsa dancing (not good I might add), bar hopping, walking, the beaches, Shoreline Villiage, etc., before it really renovated in the past 10 years and still continues to this very day. Well one of the most beloved spots to go for a stroll and take a long gander at the beautiful canal and homes alongside.
Streets are narrow, so you might want to take that into consideration and park a little further out where you won’t have problems getting out or backed in.
I have to agree w/​one of the Unilocal reviewer is that is a favorite local spot and you tend to want to keep it a secret so that it doesn’t get saturated like everything else. But like she stated, we have to give back, hence my review.
Best time is Christmas, as it’s cooler and really nice to check out the beautiful lights and decorations on the boats in peninsula and houses around it. I can also imagine it being congested, so going early as right after Thanksgiving might not be a bad idea (but then again, like the way the trend is headed since last year, you might want to go right before or after Halloween as a lot of people are Christmas decorating a lot earlier) this makes me sad :(I’m one of those dinosaurs that grew up waiting till my dear madre said it was Okay to start decorating, usually right after Thanksgiving and remembering how strict she was, couldn’t start till December 1^st. My oh my, have times changed! She’d be rolling in her grave today!
Anywho, put this on your to do lists or spot to go to.

Found this place today on Tripadvisor ranked #1 on the Things to Do in Long Beach.
Don’t compare this place with Venice in Italy or something only because there are buildings and canals. EVERY PLACE IS UNIQUE.
And so far this was the most beautiful place I’ve seen in Long Beach. It’s just beautiful. The water is clear, no tourists, but a lot of people paddleboarding and swimming in the canals. The water is fresh and doesn’t smell, the houses all around are unique. If you want to calm your soul and relax you definitely should come here. Or just rent some water bikes, paddleboads or kayaks like people did and enjoy your time here.

I absolutely adore the Naples canals! The houses are so gorgeous. I love running or going for a relaxing stroll through here. Naples is so unassuming too. One minute you’re in the heart and bustle of things on 2^nd Street and then the next, you’re surrounded by beautiful, charming bungalows situated on serene canals. The immaculate landscaping and lush flora leave me inspired and wishing I had a bit more dough to play with. You will see lots of folks on kayaks, paddleboats and SUP’s. Start your journey at Mothers Beach where you can easily park, unload your gear and launch off into the magical land known as Naples.

There is something magical about the Christmas lights at Naples Island (maybe I’m bias because I’m a Long Beach resident). My family and I come here every year even though some decorations are the same year after year. It’s always nice to take a stroll in this little village dotted with million dollar mini-​mansions showcasing displays that look like a department store or something you’d see in a catalog.
Walk from canal to canal passing by each home and you’ll come back full circle even though it looks like you’re walking straight. You get to walk very close to the homes and admire the décor. Most people walk by and just daydream out loud. Last year (or the year before) there were carolers, which made it really cool. Didn’t see the group this year when we came on Christmas Day.
Parking is difficult on weekends closer to Christmas, so either come really early or really late if you do plan on coming the weekend before Christmas.
There are also boat rides at night along the canal.
If you’re a photographer, bring your wide angle lens! Check out my photos!

My bf took me to Naples last year when we were first dating. We ate at a Greek restaurant then walked the canals and checked out all the decorations and amazing lights! Such a beautiful place to stroll and enjoy the Christmas season. We are going back this year and have decided to make it a tradition to go every year! One of my fave places!

The only problem with Unilocal is that it involves telling the world about your favorite local spots, the ones that you’d prefer to keep quiet so you can enjoy them to yourself. The Naples Canals during Christmastime are busy enough as they are (the parking situation can attest to that) but I wouldn’t have known about them if a local hadn’t told me so I’m paying it forward and spreading some holiday cheer!
The circular canal is lined with houses that, in the month of December, are decked out for Christmas and Hanukkah – some of them beautiful, others tacky, others more whimsical. There were very few houses on either side of the canal that didn’t participate; the neighborhood unity makes me wonder if the dark houses will incur some sort of fine by the local homeowner’s association. Regardless, the awe-​inspiring walk around the block is a true celebration of the winter holidays.
In addition to the lights, there are often locals selling hot chocolate or candy canes, as well as carolers and musicians that make you want to sing along. Our favorite house along the canal displayed a mini holiday carnival, including a moving roller coaster occupied by dolls and a carousel ridden by festive Barbies. There’s plenty to see and enough variety that you won’t get bored.
While the sidewalks along either side of the canal are a little narrow for crowds, it’s a very family-​friendly seasonal event. I met a few kids that said their families come every year. I think it was worth the drive from Los Angeles and hope to revisit the canals next December.
It’s very limited street parking only, so make sure that you carpool! No charge to walk around and see all of the sights.

My last visit to here was about 7 years ago so I wanted to take my BF since he’s never been to this area.
We visited on ¹²⁄₂₈ around 8 PM and there were still a bunch of people walking around so you don’t get that «alone» feeling of a peaceful stroll.
Still, the houses here are beautiful, and you’ll gape at the amount of time, effort, and MONEY, poured into the decorations. Some of these places look like model homes that are purely for decoration and not for living. :O
We parked near the Toledo Elementary School and looked for Naples Canal. Step down to under the bridge, and you’ll make your way around.
Really fun area to look at lights since most of the houses participate. We didn’t get to even finish since the area is so large, but we’ll come back next year! :)
And there’s a really odd box house that has a really TALL door that confuses us. It wasn’t decorated either and looked kinda depressing. Maybe Scrooge lives there: P

Want to get in the Christmas spirit in 70 degree temps? Go to the canals!
I thought all of the light displays around the Bay Area (Alameda’s Thompson Avenue, Fremont’s Crippsmas Place) were extravagant enough as it is, but the Naples Canals at this time of the year absolutely trumps all of them.
The serenity of it all completely makes it. With cars relegated to the bridges, it gives this walk a more personal feel. And the budget these people have for decorations! Bulbs-​a-​plenty, projectors everywhere, and a snowboarding Santa shows how much these people want to one-​up one another.
If you’ve got a paddleboat or a kayak, you can even ride it around! It’s definitely worth the trip if you can get one.

Weekday or Christmas day. The best times to be there if you want to avoid the crowds. I mean, it was fun to be there on years past when it was deserted for the most part. But, since this neighborhood actually puts a great deal of effort and money into their decorations, it’s merited that the word would actually spread.
Walk through and appreciate your surroundings. Step aside if you’re going to pause. Keep to the right on the stairs to allow for dual-​flow traffic. Watch the boundaries of your stroller so you don’t bump into people. Step aside from the top of the stairs so others can get past you. Watch your personal space and the invasion of other’s spaces. And be aware that I might wear a devil fleece hat because my ears and head are cold. And that I will make fun of you.
Dress warmly, grab the camera (turn off the flash, idiots), some friends and/​or family, something warm to drink and stroll around the man-​made islands. Have some fun and always make fun of that boxy house that refuses to decorate.

Great place to kayak. Beautiful homes to admire along the way. It’s a very relaxing place to hang out.
Funny story… while kayaking, we had another couple along side jokingly ask us «Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?» An example of how the people you’ll meet out here are usually pretty cool.