Bike on Water

Hydrobike Holiday Lights in Long Beach

12.15.2015
Los Angeles County
Dog Friendly, Water

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!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

    View

  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

    View
  3. Woman riding a bike on the the Vine Trail in Napa Valley

    Through the Grapevine

    Cycle California’s most famous wine valley on the car-free Vine Trail, an ambitious project going through the heart of Napa Valley. Park your car and ride 6 miles from Napa to Yountville for lunch.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Stars, Steaks, and Strange Brews

    Forget Michelin stars. Deep in Oregon's high desert, legendary Cowboy Dinner Tree is destination dining at its most deliciously down-to-earth, well worth the required reservation and desert drive to reach it.

    View

  2. Outback to the Future

    Some must-see destinations are written in the stars. Deep in Oregon's remote southern high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. With 2.5 million acres of protected dark skies, you get the best of the celestial out here in what's known as the Oregon Outback, including geothermal soaks and an incredible playa that's a hidden gem.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View