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California Christmas
Boat Parades
California Christmas boat parades have
changed in many ways. If you remember the
days when the party boats wandered up and
down the Newport bay, carolers and merry
celebrators drinking as they drove,
times have changed for California boaters.
California Christmas and holiday boat
parades are focused on safe fun and
responsible navigating in an Orange County,
Los Angles, San Diego, Central Coast, San
Francisco Bay and the
Sacramento Delta . Education and legislation
with stiff fines
for drinking helped change the
party atmosphere on the waterways during the
lighted Christmas boat parades in
California long ago, so that designated drivers (captains)
are the norm.
That's not to say that such responsibility
didn't always exist, but it simply is
better. We spoke with two expert gondoliers
who told us that they have steered Southern
California waterways each Christmas for
approx. a decade. The waterways seem to be
more congested each year, and
competence in steering during the boat
parades is important, they say.
The atmosphere at Newport
Beach Boat Parade and Naples Boat Parade,
especially, continues to be one of festive
merriment on the waterways. Tourists and
locals socializing
in the beautiful California nights find
holiday magic with their lit boats that
steer the navigable channels amongst
decorated homes, restaurants and shops. The intimate channels of Naples in
Long Beach lend themselves especially to
that kind of friendly, neighborhood rivalry--and camaraderie.
For the
audience of "have-knots", the nautical
experience is possibly even more exciting
because it is something unique that you do
not take for granted.
For the majority of Californians not owning
an ocean vessel, the prospects of going out
for a cruise is simply delightful. Dinner
cruises in San Francisco, Marina del Rey,
Newport Beach and San Diego offered by
Hornblower Cruises & Events provide an
opportunity to turn your outing into a full
afternoon or evening of entertainment. Those
cruises do sell out for the holiday boat
parades and lighting events, but there are
many more boating experiences offering
snacks, sodas, beer and cocktails, minus the
lavish meals. Nearly every port of
call has some privately-owned boat cruise
visitors can enjoy throughout the year,
during whale watching season (Dec-April) and
the Christmas holidays.
For the
boat and yacht owners participating in the
lighted parades, stringing lights on a boat
is an expensive proposition. You must have
lights that withstand the elements (water),
and can run with a self-contained energy
source your boat
provides. There are companies that
decorate boats and yachts for those who
don't have time or inclination to do it
themselves. A lighted boat often includes a
theme. Live actors and artificial, life-size
Santas, reindeer and other characters can
liven up the vessel with colorful themes.
Sometimes it will amaze you that a boat can
appear so bright, elegant or shaped to look
like a dolphin or bird in flight. It is
incredible what can be done with lights and
decorations.
The boat
parades in L.A. and Orange County vary in
their nature and description. Some are
designed as contests for the prettiest boat.
Others, such as the Cruise of Lights in
Huntington Beach and Sunset Beach's harbors,
is for the public to view the lights on the
houses in the channel. This sort of
light show is unique, and has been a
fund-raising success for over 40 years.
Because of the nature of the event, raising
money for music programs in schools through
boat ride ticket sales, the participation by
Huntington Harbour homeowners is fairly
high. In recent years we've seen a decline
with numbers of houses lighting up for the
event, yet those who do participate make up
for the dark zones in a big way.
The Long
Beach, Port of Los Angeles, Newport Beach
and Redondo Beach lighted boat parades are
all about the boats, themselves. Such
parades are beautiful to watch, but are not
without challenges for viewers on dry dock.
With limited space to stand and observe, the
experience is best from restaurants, other
boat rental services that provide on water
seating and viewing, and from homes of those
lucky enough to live along the channels
where these fantastic Christmas boat parades
are held annually.
Whatever
your passion, you won't want to miss this
excursion guaranteed to float your boat.
But for a very special holiday treat, we
took a cruise a year or two ago...and that
was something really special.
Santa
Cruz
Santa
Cruz Lighted Boat Parade
Santa
Cruz Lighted Boat Parade
Sponsored by the Santa Cruz Yacht Club and
including a canned food drive benefiting
Second Harvest Food Bank, the Lighted Boat
Parade features 50 beautifully-decorated
power and sailboats parading through the
Santa Cruz Harbor. Charter boats available.
This is a family event with hot drinks and
snacks available at various locations
through the south harbor. 530 pm, rain or
shine. santacruzharbor.org
LA Harbor Holiday
Afloat Parade -
LA Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade
LA Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade
Decorated boats parade through the Port of
LA Main Channel.
When: Saturday, December 1, 2007, 6-7:30 pm
Viewing Locations:
Banning Landing Community Center, 100 E.
Water Street, Wilmington
The Port of LA Cruise Ship Promenade, 600 N.
Harbor Blvd., San Pedro
Ports O' Call Village, 1100 Nagoya Way, San
Pedro
Cabrillo Marina, 200 Whaler's Walk, San
Pedro
Info and Parade Route: portoflosangeles.com
Marina del Rey Boat Parade
Christmas Boat Parades in Los Angeles and
Orange Counties
Marina del Rey Boat Parade
Marina del Rey Boat Parade
When: Dec 8, 2007
Time:
5:55 pm fireworks, 6-8 pm parade
Viewing Locations:
Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way,
Marina del Rey
Music, commentary and judging
Fisherman's Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina
del Rey
View from along the channel or from one of
the restaurants with a waterfront view.
Parking: Parking fees in County Parking Lots
are waived for the parade. There is NO
street parking.
Info: mdrboatparade.com
King Harbor Boat Parade in Redondo Beach
Christmas Boat Parades in Los Angeles and
Orange Counties
King Harbor Boat Parade in Redondo Beach
King Harbor Boat Parade in Redondo Beach
When: December 15, 2007, Time: 5:30 - 7 pm
Viewing Locations:
From King Harbor Marina to the Redondo Beach
Pier, all along the waterfront from
restaurants, breakwalls or along the piers
Parking: Paid parking in the Pier Parking
structure, Redondo Beach Marina and street
parking
Long Beach Parade of 1000 Lights in the
Downtown Shoreline Marina
Long
Beach Parade of 1000 Lights in the Downtown
Shoreline Marina
Long Beach Parade of 1000 Lights in the
Downtown Shoreline Marina
When: Saturday, December 8, 2007, Time: 6:30
pm
Viewing Locations:
From restaurants and the boardwalk at
Shoreline Village
The Marina breakwall behind Shoreline
Village
Shoreline Park around the Lighthouse
Parking: Paid Parking at Shoreline Village,
the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Pike,
metered street parking, pre-paid ticket
boxes at the Downtown Marina
Naples Christmas Boat Parade - Long Beach
Naples Christmas
Boat Parade - Long Beach
When: Saturday, December 15, 2007. Time:
small boats start at 6 pm from the 2nd
Street Bridge, large boats start at 6:30 pm
near Alamitos Bay Yacht Club.
Viewing Locations:
From the bridges and along the canals around
Naples Island you see the small boat parade.
From the 2nd Street Bridge and along
Alamitos Bay Marina you can also see the
larger vessels that don't fit in the canals.
Parking: Mothers' Beach lot off Appian Way,
marine lots east of Davis Bridge, Marine
Stadium, and 54th & Bayshore. Naples Bayside
Academy (5537 The Toledo) offers parking for
a donation of $10.
Note: The houses around Naples Island put on
one of the best displays of Christmas and
Hanukkah lights in Southern California. Plan
to get there plenty early to stroll around
the island before the parade.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
When: December 12 - 16, 2007. Time: The
parade starts off Collins Island at 6:30 pm
and finishes at the same site at
approximately 8:30 pm on Wednesday and
Thursday, and 9:00 pm on Friday, Saturday
and Sunday.
On the bay side of Balboa Peninsula from
18th Street to the end of Bay Avenue
Anywhere along the water on Balboa Island
Along Pacific Coast Highway between Balboa
Bay Club and Riverside Drive
Along the water on Lido Isle. Boats go into
the channel on the west end of the island
only on weekends
Paid Viewing Locations:
Seating is available at the American Legion
Post 291 located at 215 15th Street.
In the early 1900's Venetian gondolier John
Scarpa put lights on eight canoes and
gondolas. The Newport Beach Christmas Boat
Parade began in such a simple way, with the
single act of one gentleman. But you'll find
along the coast this story to be true of
many locations where the Christmas boat
parades are celebrated. In Newport Beach
Christmas Boat Parade, some yachtsmen can
spend in excess of $50,000 to decorate
vessels for the event. New York Times
declares this event one of their
favorites...and so do we at
Beachcalifornia.com.
Oceanside - Parade of Lights
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights-
Oceanside Harbor Parade of decorated boats
in the water of the inner harbor. The event
runs 6pm-9pm.
When: December 8, 2007
For more
information, call 760-722-5751.
760-722-5751.
Dana Point - Boat Parade of Lights
Dana
Point - Boat Parade of Lights
Dana Point - Boat Parade of Lights
When: December 7-8 and 14-15, 2007, Time:
7:30 pm
Viewing Locations:
Dana Point Harbor 34555 Golden Lantern, Dana
Point, CA. You can view the parade free from
anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations
at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Dana Wharf Sportfishing offers $25 boat
rides, call (949) 496-5794.
Info: (949) 923-2255
San
Diego Harbor Parade of Lights
This
year's theme
YO HO HO...A Pirates Christmas!
Sunday,
December 9, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
5:30 PM until 9:00 PM
San Diego Bay
Welcome to the annual San Diego Bay
Parade of Lights. 9 Dec 2007; Sun
only (various dates)
Where:
San Diego Harbor
Cost:
Free to watch
Opening Hours:
Fireworks 5.30pm; parade immediately after
they finish
Spectacularly lighted boats in the San Diego
Harbor Parade of Lights is an annual
tradition that begins with fireworks before
the illuminated boats parade through the
harbor. The procession takes around two
hours and the best spots to get a good view
are Shelter Island (at the start of the
route), Harbor Island, The Embarcadero,
Seaport Village and the Ferry Landing on
Coronado.
sdparadeoflights.org
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