Where is Alamitos Bay, exactly?
On the east side of Long Beach, where the San Gabriel River meets the ocean and Los Angeles County meets Orange County. Our dock is at Alamitos Bay Landing, 186 N Marina Dr #4601, Long Beach, CA 90803, on Marina Drive near the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street. Seal Beach is just across the river.
That position is the whole argument. Long Beach sits between Los Angeles and Orange County, so the drive is shorter from a long list of places.
How much closer is it?
Straight-line distances from our dock and from Newport Harbor, as the crow flies:
| From | To our dock | To Newport Harbor |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Los Angeles | 22 miles | 37 miles |
| Pasadena | 28 miles | 40 miles |
| Santa Monica | 29 miles | 45 miles |
| Torrance | 14 miles | 30 miles |
| Fullerton | 14 miles | 18 miles |
| Anaheim | 13 miles | 16 miles |
| Huntington Beach | 9 miles | 7 miles |
| Irvine | 17 miles | 7 miles |
Driving distances are longer and traffic decides the time, so check your map app for your own trip. But the pattern holds: for Los Angeles County and the northern half of Orange County, Long Beach is the nearer bay. For Irvine and most of south Orange County, Newport is closer, and we would rather say so.
What makes Alamitos Bay worth the trip?
- Calm water. Jetties separate the bay from the San Gabriel River, and the water inside is sheltered, which is what a Duffy is built for.
- The Naples Canals. Three islands of homes and private docks, ringed by canals, inside the bay. You can cruise them when the tide allows; see cruising the Naples Canals.
- Room to roam. When the tide is too high for the canals, you can still cruise around Naples Island, into Jellyfish Cove, Spinnaker Bay, Marina Pacifica and Mother’s Beach.
- Wildlife. The local sea lions make appearances throughout the day.
What is a London Boat Rentals Duffy like?
All 22 of our boats are the same 21-foot electric Duffy, fully enclosed, for up to 12 people. You drive, at up to 5 mph, and nobody needs experience: the Dock Master takes your boat to the end of the dock, hands over the keys, and gives a quick tutorial and a map. The renter and the driver must both be 21 or older. See the fleet for the details.
How does the day work if you are driving in?
- Parking: free and on site at Alamitos Bay Landing, a few steps from the boats.
- Arrival: 30 minutes before your start time, with your whole party. If you are driving in from across the county, build in time for traffic.
- Getting there without a car: Long Beach Transit buses serve the area, and the city’s water taxis run in season.
The contact page has the map and directions.
How do you make a day of it?
Long Beach rewards a longer visit. Before or after your cruise:
- Eat near the dock. Alamitos Bay Landing has restaurants along the water, and the 2nd & PCH center across the street has more; see our guide to eating around Alamitos Bay.
- Walk 2nd Street. Belmont Shore, with its shops and restaurants, is a short drive west through Naples.
- Stay for sunset. Our sunset times by month tell you when to start a cruise for the light.
What should you bring?
Food, a cooler and your own beer and wine are welcome; ice is $7 a bag in the boat shop. Bring a layer for the evening and blankets in winter; the boats are enclosed, and the windows stay down to keep the warmth in. Dogs are welcome with their own life vest. The rules and packing list has the rest.
Is it worth the drive for a short trip?
That depends on how you count the day. The rental itself is one or two hours, but the trip is the whole afternoon: the drive, a walk at the landing, the cruise, and dinner nearby. From most of Los Angeles County, the drive to Alamitos Bay is shorter than to Newport, which leaves more of the afternoon for the water. If your time is tight, book two hours, so the drive is worth it.
What if the canals are closed when you arrive?
You still have the bay. Low bridges cross the Naples canals, so at high water the canals can be off-limits for a while. When that happens, you can cruise around Naples Island and into the coves instead, and come back for the canals later in your rental if the water drops. Check the tides before you set off, especially if you are coming a long way for the canals.
Who is this trip for?
Families from across the county looking for an afternoon that is not a theme park, couples looking for a date night with a view, friends planning a birthday, and teams looking for an outing that gets people out of the office. If you live closer to Newport, we would still be glad to see you; the drive just matters less.
When should you book from out of town?
As early as your plans allow, and especially for weekends and holidays. If you are driving a long way for a sunset or for the canals, book the time that suits the light and the tide, then plan the drive around it.
What does it cost?
$125 for one hour or $250 for two, per boat of up to 12. A full boat for two hours works out to about $20.83 a person. See prices and the complete guide to renting a Duffy in Long Beach.
