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

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