Bike on Water

Hydrobike Holiday Lights in Long Beach

12.15.2015

Waterworld meets National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on this most original way to see holiday lights. Get your ho-ho-ho's and your ha-ha-ha's hydrobiking along the wide-open, festively decorated canals of the Naples district in Long Beach. The hydrobike is essentially a regular bicycle frame mounted atop pontoons. Hop on a single bike or pair up on a double. You can hydrobike any time of the year, but  it's especially magical at night right now, on the holiday lights pedaling tour. You'll bike along waterways bordered by uber-fancy homes that are decorated to the hilt, making it a popular light-viewing destination during weekends in December, when sidewalks are crowded and parking scarce. Your guide is Long Beach Hydrobikes, stationed on the channel leading out to the ocean from Alamitos Bay Landing. The tour takes about an hour, starting in the peaceful water of the channel before taking a spin through the brilliantly lit Rivo Alto Canal, where you can slow down or stop completely to ooh and ahh at the elaborate holiday displays (keep an eye out for the giant rotating dreidel in one upstairs widow). Dress up like Santa to stay warm and keep an eye out for an envious Rudolph above. Give it your Griswold best.

TIP: Long Beach Hydrobikes has daytime tours, and also offers sunset rides during the summer. In the colder months, the holiday tour is your only chance to get out on the water after dark.

Long Beach Hydrobikes is located at 110 N. Marina Dr., Long Beach. The dock can be a little hard to find after dark, but if you follow the directions on their website you shouldn't have any trouble. Reservations are required for the holiday lights tour. Dog-friendly!

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