Exploring Belmont Shore and Naples

Long Beach's Belmont Shore and Naples is such a peaceful area with sandy beaches, home-lined picturesque canals, lagoons, and is walking distance to Second Street. A block away from the beach, you'll find shops and restaurants. One of the main highlights of the area is paddle boarding as it's a great stress reliever. Being on the water, enjoying nature, fresh air, and sunshine is therapeutic and a nice respite from the stressors of working from home and dealing with work re-orgs. During my SUP sessions two weekends in a row, the water was so calm and although gloomy, the sun came out around noon. Here are a few travel tips for Belmont Shore and Naples in Long Beach, CA.

Travel Tips for Belmont Shore and Naples

Explore Belmont Shore:

Wander along Second Street in Belmont Shore, known for its shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines.

Enjoy Waterfront Views:

Walk or bike along the Belmont Shore Beach Path, offering scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the iconic Belmont Pier.

Try Water Activities:

Rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or pedal boats to explore Alamitos Bay or participate in water sports such as sailing and windsurfing.

Visit Naples Island:

Explore Naples Island, known for its canals lined with waterfront homes, beautiful bridges, and scenic walkways.

Take a Gondola Ride:

Experience a romantic gondola ride through the canals of Naples, complete with serenades and sunset views, for a memorable experience. Note, we've paddle boarded past these boats through the canal. It looks like a fun/romantic activity.

Dine with a View:

Enjoy waterfront dining at restaurants along Alamitos Bay or Naples Island, offering fresh seafood and outdoor seating with panoramic views.

Attend Events:

Check the event calendar for festivals, art fairs, and community events happening in Belmont Shore and Naples throughout the year.

Relax on the Beach:

Spend leisurely days sunbathing, swimming, or picnicking at Belmont Shore Beach or nearby Mother's Beach, perfect for families with young children.

Shop at Local Markets:

Browse farmers' markets and artisanal shops in Belmont Shore and Naples, offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and unique gifts.

Stay Active:

Take advantage of recreational activities such as beach volleyball, cycling, or jogging along the beach paths, embracing the active lifestyle of Long Beach's coastal communities.

Since my brothers and I had to cancel our Memorial weekend family birthday trip to Durango, CO due to Buddy, our cat feeling under the weather, needing a blood transfusion and daily meds, we decided to stay local. (Update as of 2023: Buddy is no longer in pain and is waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.)

In addition to renting paddle boards, you can also rent kayaks, Duffy boats for $99/hour, and even reserve a Gondola ride at $150 for 50 mins.

I spotted a pirate on someone's private dock while paddling through the Naples Canal.

I attempted to take a selfie but barely got the paddle boards in the background.

After paddle boarding for an hour through the Naples Canal, we had lunch at Roe Seafood Restaurant, where I had oysters, shrimp and grits, paired with a $5 Mimosa. Everything was so fresh, delicious and not too heavy. I strayed away from my plant-based diet and have no regrets.

I only had one mimosa since I had to drive back to Marina Del Rey, not to mention alcohol tends to trigger headaches/migraines so I keep it to a minimum of one drink.

After a delicious meal, we headed down the street to Cinnaholic to enjoy some Vegan cinnamon buns. I also got a dairy-free pineapple dole whip for just $4.00. I treated Melissa and Jim since it's been a while since I hung out with them.

Melissa recommended I get the baby buns with chai frosting and now I'm so hooked! It was so sweet and the frosting took the cinnamon bun to the next level. Apparently, they offer other frosting flavors including: almond, banana cream, cake batter, caramel, chocolate, coffee, cream cheese, creme brûlée, hazelnut, lemon, maple, marshmallow, orange, peanut butter, raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla.

Overall, it was a great morning spent in Long Beach, CA, which was just a 38 minute drive from Marina Del Rey, CA. Paddle boarding prices are cheaper than the marina so I don't mind making the trek down to LB.

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