It's a sunny day in the Alamitos Bay at
Belmont Shore in Long Beach, California. And it is the perfect time for child's
play as kids learn to sail, kitesurf, kayak and have fun, drenched by the sun.
Also splashed by the waters of the bay, intense blues, hot pinks and
bright mustard yellow shades from water toys such as boats, kayaks and
windsurfing sails reflect on the smooth, glassy water surface. It seems so
bright, so real in the photo above. You almost can reach out and touch the fun.
Alamitos Bay is the inlet to the Pacific
Ocean in Long Beach, California. Its shores are shared by two residential
communities, both part of the city. Belmont Shore and Naples are two of
Long Beach's favorite communities and many of the residents there share a love
of water sports, boating and the Pacific Ocean. While the bay includes the
Alamitos Yacht Club, there's an area ideal for tranquil water sports, for
sunbathing, swimming and even gondola rides.
In the picture above children help launch
a girl on a windsurfing boat into vertical position so she can catch a ride.
Through there aren't many waves in this bay, the wind can pick up speed to
catapult a craft and send its on its way sailing.
Kid-friendly Belmont
Shore closes its beachfront street, Bayshore, in the summer so that
beach-goers are safe from the traffic that pours into their area.
Overlooking Naples and the Long Beach peninsula, this small bay area is
popular for sunbathing, swimming and learning how to sail the Sabot boats
invented here decades ago.
Also a hit is popular 2nd Street, an approximate
four-block long shopping region of cute stores, eateries, banks, photo labs
and even two Starbucks.
Beyond the bend of the 2nd Street/Livingston/Ocean
stoplight, Belmont Shore loses ground to downtown. The close-knit communal
feeling fades as buildings loom larger and tower over Ocean Boulevard
downtown. That's where Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline
Village and the new Pike redevelopment area beckon travelers to explore a
whole new phase of Long Beach.
Give yourself an hour or two for enjoyment and exploration
of Belmont Shore. But watch your parking meter carefully if you park in
front of one. Traffic tickets come like clockwork, and arrive usually the
minute your meter expires. Our last ticket paid was $31 but the price
probably has gone up since then.
