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Gondola Getaway
Categories: Event Planning & Services Boat Charters Restaurants Hotels & Travel Tours Boat Charters, Restaurants, Tours [Edit]
5437 E Ocean BlvdLong Beach, CA 90803
(562) 433-9595
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
80 reviews for Gondola Getaway
Review Highlights
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"it was so sweet and romantic on his part." In 39 reviews -
"You're more than welcome to bring your own wine too." In 6 reviews -
"And oh, the houses on Naples island." In 7 reviews
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80 reviews in English
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Review from Angel Y.
Monterey Park, CA
2/15/2012
Trip was very relaxing and romantic. Went for valentines day. I recommend the option called, "message in a bottle", which you can request by writing your own personal message to surprise your date. The gondolier will print your message, put it in a bottle and secretly drop it in the water, then the gondolier will turn the gondola around where you will pick up the bottle and present it to your date to read. Very romantic, recommended. Bring your own wine and snacks, it also gets cold during the winter so you might want to bring a blanket. Also tip your gondolier well because they work hard.
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Review from Karila S.
1/22/2012
"where are we going?" "are we there yet?" "I gotta go potty!" Behold, a 19 year old me going on 5 as my mom, the master of birthday surprises, drove Chaddy, sister, and I on the long journey from Woodland Hills to the land of Long Beach. After at least an hour of endless and pointless guessing (one guess being sleeping in an aquarium), we arrive at Gondola Getaways for an evening excursion through the beautifully lit LB Harbor. Around Christmas time, this place looks like a multi-million dollar version of Chatsworth's Candy Cane Lane.
On this hour long excursion, feel free to bring your own delicious munchies. This would make one adorable marine dinner by candlelight. Or, in the case of one of the gondolas, an ideal location for a midlife crises women's night out complete with no less than 10 bottles of classy booze.
As long as we are talking about the refreshments, if I were to review the amazing homemade charcuterie plate arranged by my mom, I would have to ask Yelp to insert a six star option. And she's not even Italian!!
Our gondolier was Salvador, who was incredibly nice but a little on the shy side. He answered questions about the harbor like a morose Jungle Cruise guide, but I got the feeling that might just have been his personality. I don't like to complain, but really how realistic is it for me to hope that an entire crew of singing Fabios exist on Long Beach Harbor? Though my mom arranged for one cute gondolier just to sing "Happy Birthday" in Italian after the ride. If I had been any closer to the dock, I might have needed a life vest to catch my swooning faint.
On the whole, it was a pleasant adventure and a buon cumpleano for me. Employees should generally be a little more outgoing and less self-conscious, but the watery journey is breathtaking. -
Review from Billy C.
Alhambra, CA
12/12/2011
It's fun to do during the holidays because they have the Christmas lights out on all of the houses along the shoreline. However wasn't expecting the jump in price. Used to the 65 to 85 range, but they charged us 125 for 2 to 4 people. Next time plan to go with a group if you don't want to pay the 125 between only 2.
Overall a fun experience, but get there early. If you're late it will cut into your gondola time! -
Review from Melodi R.
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's really about relaxing with those you love! The decorated houses make a lovely backdrop. The Gondoliers have been there forever...they are cool, but the quality of singing and their knowledge of the area won't blow you away.
Take wine and cheese & crackers and relax!! (don't forget to share with your Gondoliers- they seem to work for booze and TIP$!) -
Review from Andy W.
Newport Beach, CA
2/20/2012
It was a nice romantic gondola ride through the canals of Naples. The problem is that we arrived 10 minutes early, our gondolier chatted in the office with the receptionist and came out 10 minutes late, ok no big deal I thought, we still get an hour. Wrong. We had a 40 minute Gondola ride. Like a massage, I don't expect a full hour but it should be around 55 minutes. While it was fun, at 40 minutes I was cheated and won't be back. I complained when we got back and got 10% off, a nice gesture but still not going back.
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Review from Bernadette M.
Valley Center, CA
7/25/2011
Recommend not going at night.......
It's 9:30 pm, dark, and I can't see squat other than some lights from the houses surrounding the canal. Our gondolier looks like he is 12 (ok he was in college), doesn't sing but did give us facts on how deep the water is and how much the houses were. He told us it was good luck to kiss when we pass under a bridge. Awkward. We floated in and out of the canal behind people's homes. Trip was about an hour. This was as romantical as it's a small world....
This place was a bit hard to find, especially at night. But managed to find it after passing it a couple of times. Look out for this little structure with "Leeway Sailing Center" on it along with the little sign "Gondola Getaway" next to it. Parking in front then walk along the right side where you'll see the check in shack, dock and waiting area.
I called that morning for a reservation so understandable the only slot available was 9:30pm. The woman who helped me was nice. $85.00 for two people, she took my credit card number and told me if I couldn't make it I would still be charged. Typically you need to cancel at least 24 hours advance in order to be refunded. If you can find a GroupOn, do it! I think what we paid wasn't really worth the ride. I'm thinking a ride at sunset is much better...
This gondola doesn't come with cheese or crackers like other places. But nice that you can bring your own drinks and food. They will supply cups and a bottle opener. They have blankets in case you are cold, but I recommend bringing your own since they were kind of damp and the same blankets people sit on. Eeew. -
Review from Paige O.
Laguna Hills, CA
1/17/2012
Just had an anniversary and my boyfriend surprised me with a gondola ride! Ok, yes it's cliche and neither of us are hopeless romantics. But it was romantic as hell. We got there at about 5 right when the sun was beginning to set so the view was beautiful. We were able to bring wine onboard and we were told you can also bring your own food. Our gondolier was Andrew, a Kiwi with an amazing singing voice. He sang three Italian songs for us and entertained us with some awesome stories of his travels. I've been to Venice and I have to say this ride was far better than the real deal because of the excellent customer service. Definitely would recommend for a date night.
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Review from Sarina M.
Long Beach, CA
7/24/2011
For first two people $85 then $20 for each additional person. I found 50% off coupon on eBay for $5. I made reservation for 4 people the day prior to my reservation. They will charge your credit card if you don't cancel 24 hrs prior to your reservation. However 2 people flaked and I was only charged for 2 people.
You can bring your own beverages and snacks, but there isn't a table to set your stuff on. The ride is 1 hour and was enjoyable. My gondolier was pleasant when we asked questions. Overall, it is worth $45 with the 50% coupon not full price of $85. And don't forget tip money and quarters for parking meters. -
Review from Dyna O.
Seal Beach, CA
3/26/2012
A great idea. The houses in the area are beautiful. I walk around Naples all the time, especially around the holidays. The problem is the owner of Gondola Getaway does not care about the neighborhoods that he does business in or his reputation.
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Review from Karynne I.
Riverside, CA
3/9/2011
Sorry sad yelpers... I might be star happy but the boyfriend took me here for our 4 year anniversary/Valentine's day and we had a beautiful time. It super romantic and the price was a bit on the high side but honestly it was worth every penny, says the boyfriend who paid for it and was NOT interested in going.
We went during sunset which was the best time and brought our own champagne, which we finished during the ride :P The waters were calm and the islands weren't too busy. It was not too windy or too chilly... perfect weather! We also had the BEST gondolier, Eric, who was very friendly and even sang to us.
I completely recommend coming here for a romantic, relaxing, beautiful evening. It was the perfect way to spend a special occasion, hands down. :) -
Review from Stacy E.
Buena Park, CA
11/28/2011
We had a great experience celebrating my boyfriend's b-day a few weeks ago! Our gondelier was very friendly and the manager was kind and helpful. going at 4:30 was the perfect tme to catch the amazing sunset. I'd definitely recommend them...this is my 3rd time and they've never let us down.
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Review from K M.
San Pedro, CA
10/20/2010 4 photos
Wow! Dropped hints to my hubby and he booked us a gondola ride for our 9th anniversary. What an awesome find! It was such a nice, relaxing, romantic evening. We went on a Wednesday night so things were pretty quiet on the water. I don't know the neighborhood but I get the feeling there's probably a lot more traffic on the canals on the weekends when the locals are partying. We also went right before sunset, and by the time our cruise ended it was dark and the dock was all lit up with little lights - very pretty. Out gondolier, Ignacio, was totally laid back and cool. It was a bit chilly out and he had a nice warm blanket for our laps. Our boat was truly awesome too, it was one of the old Venetian imports. I would do this again in a heartbeat.
p.s. BRING WINE! -
Review from Anhers M.
Santa Ana, CA
2/14/2011
Happy cheesy valentine's day to me but he did balance it out by getting me a card where he wrote "yup" then signed it. Honestly, I think everyone should go on a gondola ride with their loved one (maybe not in Long Beach though). They let you bring a bottle of wine or champagne, which is kinda dumb because I had to pee halfway through the romantic ride in Long Beach.
Pro:
Cheese to the max
BYOB
Con:
Price
Boring Gondola guy (I asked him how much longer (my bladder fails me). He said he wasn't sure. I say oh are you new. He said no. I've been doing this for 10 years. What the crap...how do you not know how much longer then... -
Review from Danielle B.
San Diego, CA
9/15/2010
Even though I was born and raised in LB, we had never been to the Gondola Getaway. Took the entire family out for the pizza cruise for mom's 60th birthday. The pizza and salad were delicious, the gondoliers were entertaining, the service was excellent.
My mom found a gift certificate that someone had gotten for Gondola Getaway back in the 80's...we took it with us just to see if they would honor it AND THEY DID!! That says a lot about a company - they honored a 25+year old coupon! And they did it with a smile!
Can't wait to go back for another occasion. -
Review from Byron C.
Tustin, CA
11/28/2010 2 photos
3 words, SUNSET GONDOLA RIDE!
It did not matter that the weather was chilly! Because a heavy blanket took care of the cold. I recommend a peaceful gondola ride for everyone, especially during the holiday seasons. We we pampered by our gondolier, who not only gave us a historical tour of Naples, but also sang to us twice in Italian! You can bring wine, cheese, grapes, etc.
Very affordable and is a great way to spend an hour of your day :-)
So peaceful, so beautiful and very romantic... -
Review from William Billy J.
Bellflower, CA
11/6/2011
Took my girl on this ride around Christmas time...perfect time with all the houses decked out in Christmas lights...cold enough to had her cuddle with me....She my wife now lol and planning to take her again next month.
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Review from Daniel O.
Long Beach, CA
This review is for guys only, ladies seriously don't read this..... I'm serious, guys only.
Ok guys, if you want to make your lady (or boyfriend, whatever) insanely happy and do something romantic, this is a great idea. I searched around for weeks trying to find a place for my wife's birthday, and settled on this. You really can;t go wrong. In fact if you take your woman here and you don't get laid, you should probably call and ask for a refund. She was thrilled, meaning I was thrilled, worth every penny.
Quick Tips:
- bring some champagne, 2 bottles will make for a GREAT cruise
- bring cash to tip the Gondolier, they work hard
- it can get cold, might want to bring a sweater
- book in advance! -
Review from John L.
Los Angeles, CA
8/16/2010
Note: 5437 is the address but you won't find one in the front with that address, so park near 5431 and just walk towards the dock to check in.
For me, it was just alright...I think your gondolier adds to the whole experience but the one we had didn't sing, nor say one word to us - Didn't even talk about the tradition of the whole bridge thing. Carpet on the gondola was kinda filthy as well. Anyways, it was more for the girl and she loved it so whatevers, I don't care.
I definitely recommend bringing your own wine and food. Food is $5 to $10 extra per person if you opt to buy from them, but why do that? Bring your own 'cause it'll probably be better than what they offer. I brought peppered crackers with smoked gouda and pancetta. I was downing my wine like Gatorade hahaha.
By the way, I almost freakin' toppled over getting on this thing so be careful lol. -
Review from Doreen B.
Kihei, HI
10/1/2009 ROTD 11/16/2009
Gondola Ride in Long Beach is on my Bucket List - kid you not!
So when my hubby surprised me by taking me here for my 29th birthday, it felt befitting since I am closer to death than I was the year before. That and the experience was like heaven :)
Kudos to those who brought their own wine, picnic baskets and blankets. Though, if you come unprepared, they do have items you can purchase. Or head over to Trader Joe's and buy one of their awesome pre-made baskets.
We had a reservation and arrived 15 minutes prior. The weather was perfect for Labor Day Weekend under the stars.
Our gondolier was really nice and friendly and even offered to give s a blanket during the trip around Naples.
He let us know right away that is was tradition to kiss underneath every bridge. Good excuse to pucker up :D
He played classical and Italian music during our trip, and when under the largest bridge on our voyage asked to serenade us.
It was very romantic and so nice to experience a different side of Long Beach.
Cool part toward the end was listening to an awesome local band playing a backyard Naples party.
Be sure to bring cash for a tip. They really do work hard!Listed in: The Great Outdoors, WORD IS BOND
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Review from Hazel Q.
9/7/2008
Ahhh, how romantic. Gliding down the backwaters of Naples, it'll almost feel like the real thing. Oh wait, we just rowed past my boss's 15 million dollar mansion. Buzzkill.
Turns out the biggest buzzkill of the evening was me. I'm so not a PDA type of person. I should clarify, not the Blackberries and Palm Pilots of the world - because I'm all about those. What I'm not into is PDA, as defined by Seventeen magazine in 1994. I'm the one at weddings shouting "Get a Room!" when the bride and groom kiss. Okay, mild exaggeration, but I think it gets my point across. PDA = Gross!
Another thing - I'm no good at ignoring people. How am I supposed to pretend the lanky, 20-year-old, rowing the boat just isn't there? How am I supposed to just act natural while he's trying his damndest to sing in Italian? Because I sure couldn't do it. Then he tells us that it's tradition to kiss under the bridge. Muah. There you go, guy. He has the nerve to say "That's it?" Geez. Maybe way down the road after many years of monogamous sex we'll get bored and invite a voyeuristic 20-year-old into the bedroom. But right now, we're A-OK with kissing without an audience, much less a critic.
Their website says they have dinner cruises for six now. That may be something I'd be interested in. But, instead of a cruise for two...er...three, my $75 for a cruise for two is much better spent on some fancy schmancy wine and a romantic night at home.
Thumbs Up:
-Romantic. (in theory)
-Gawking at the giant houses, imagining that day you'll win the lottery.
Thumbs Down:
-Romantic? In front of lanky 20-year-old gondolier? -
Review from Tina T.
Torrance, CA
10/15/2009 ROTD 10/16/2010
"ROMANTIC" GONDOLA RIDE FOR TWO.
Pros:
-If you can't think of anything romantic to do for your loved one(s), this is the place.
-The cheese and deli meat cracker stuff was good (I think I was hungry).
-Price (I have no clue) but I'm sure there's a site for it.
-It was romantic strolling on the water while our gondolier sings and strolls us around the beautiful houses "On the water" that I'll never own in this lifetime.
-There's tons of bridges you go under (hint, you're suppose to kiss). There's a story behind that.
-Go during sunset (it's extremely cold during the evenings- I was fortunate to go twice and the 2 times that I went, I was freezing and got a runny nose, not romantic at all.)
Cons:
-It can get cold so please bring a jacket or blanket.
-The gondolier makes it hard to be romantic. Who knows, the dude could be watching. Just something about people seeing overly pda makes me feel uncomfortable. (kissing- I think that that's something that should be shared with me and the bf, not me, the bf and the gondolier.
-Realizing those houses are too beautiful for me to own on a teachers salary makes me... GRRR!!!
-AS far as motion sickness goes, it's not bad but if you're super sensitive, take some Dramamine.
ENJOY THE RIDE!Listed in: CAN YOU SMELL THE TREES?!, ROTD
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Review from Anna W.
Arcadia, CA
4/29/2010
For guys, this is a perfect place to propose or for a romantic date. She will totally fall for it. It's an one hour quiet trip through the canals in Belmont Shore area in Long Beach. The gondoliers are young, 20 something guys that appear that they're in college and have it together. Then you stop under a bridge and they sing quietly in Italian...it's very beautiful.
Many peolpe had brought a bottle of wine or other refreshment. If you've brought a bottle of wine, they will open it for you in a wine bucket and two glasses. The gondoliers bring a basket of fresh bread, cheese and meat on the gondola. Though they open at night til 11 pm, the best time to go is sunset time. The glitterin water and warm sun ray and the cloud will fill your heart with desire! -
Review from Amanda S.
Northridge, CA
6/2/2008
This was one of the most romantic things that i've ever done. My boyfriend told me we were going to dinner, so i dressed nice and the next thing i know we're on freeway going to Long Beach. After an amazing crab dinner, we arrived at this adorable mini canal with gondolas.
We get on the gondola, munch on cheese and crackers and drink delicious wine and enjoy the beautiful view. It takes you through the canals of Naples Island. We happened to go around Christmas, so there were fake lit up christmas trees scattered around in the water. It was beautiful and probably one of the most romantic things ever.
Our gondolier was awesome. He was talking to us and cracking jokes.
The only downfall about it was how fast it went by. But i definitely suggest it to anyone. It's perfect to go alone with someone, or on a double date, etc.Listed in: Ta Ta, Dating Anxiety
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Review from Caroline Y.
Los Angeles, CA
1/22/2007 ROTD 2/1/2007
Ever been serenaded on a gondola? In California? If not, and you would like to be...this is the place.
Gentlemen and ladies...read on cuz this will help you plan your next romantic spot for your precious significant other. It will make her or his heart melt. I promise. You and your gf or bf will get on a gondola with a gondolier who will serenade (depends on which gondolier you get, you can request one who will sing) you while steering the gondola through the canales of Naples Island in Long Beach. Of course, it is much more romantic at night. They provide you with bread and you can bring your own wine if you wish. The tour is about an hour long and they even take a polaroid for you to take with you to remember the special night.
So if you're looking for a special place to propose or to even ask someone to be your official gf or bf...this is one of the most romantic places to do it. It'll be too hard to say no. Good luck...although I don't think you'll need it...Listed in: Pay attention to me~!! My…
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Review from Brian B.
12/17/2006
I proposed to my wife on a romantic gondola ride at sunset. It was a unique experience, I am neutral on the experience. It was not as good as expected, I am glad we did it, but would not go a second time.
* The gondolier did not sing as people had told us they did. (only a couple sing)
* Our cruise was very short, only about 35-40 minutes. (which was more than enough for me) Except that we paid for an hour. (we were not late)
Recommendations:
* Bring your own basket of food and beverages
* Bring your own music on a cheap cassette (maybe 2), most do not sing
* Dress warmly, it can be cold on the water -
Review from justin o.
Long Beach, CA
1/26/2008
Without reading thru everyone else's four and five star reviews, ill just say that our [my wife and i] experience was absolutely enchanting! seriously the best money ive spent in all of long beach. go at sunset with a full moon. i dont think you can request a particular gondolier, but andrew was pretty damn good... beautiful singing and the whole bit.
dudes, rather than taking your lady to the bar, try this at least once.
ladies, same. -
Review from Denis K.
Pasadena, CA
3/9/2007
Is your couple status getting a little boring, routine... UN-romantic? Looking to put some sparks back into the relationship? Gondola Getaway is sure to win you some extra brownie points with your significant other. The person I took is now my wife. And she said it's like ride right out of a fairy tale. The community along the water is gorgeous. it definitely is a complete different experience from anything you've ever done.
Now the logistics... You can bring your own wine (no corkage fee) or favorite beverage and they'll chill it for you. Cheese and crackers are provided at no charge. It's a little chilly. Bring a blanket. Even though they do provide them, I would bring your own for cleaner hygiene.
And of course the best part is the gondola tradition. Every time you go under a bridge. The couple have to kiss. There are quite a few bridges out there. So get your smooches on while looking out towards the sunset.
Here is a tip when booking - Check http://weather.com for time of sunset. I would book 1 to 1.5 hours before sundown so you can catch the sunset along the horizon. It's a breathtaking view if you catch it at just the right time. -
Review from Tree S.
Long Beach, CA
4/16/2007
One of the many reasons why I love Long Beach, Bel Shore, and Naples. This is a charming experience, even for the most jaded among us.
I got lucky, I guess. My gondolier sang to us. We also went with a large group (four gondolas, total) and at the right time of year (Christmas). So, needless to say, we all had a fabulous time.
My only complaint? No port-a-potties on board! Be prepared to hold it or whip it out !!! All that beer, wine, etc. goes right through you. -
Review from Michelle D.
San Jose, CA
4/15/2009
Oh my gosh, I love this place! It's so cute =) I really liked it. My gondolier was very informative and cracked a couple of jokes, too. I really enjoyed looking at all the unique houses. Sandra Bullock's house is on the island that we circled, too!
I went with my family, so it wasn't romantic (thank God). Also, we went in the daytime so it was a lot more familial and cheerful. The whole experinece was very peaceful and memorable. I recommend going here during December. It'll be chilly, but our gondolier said that the local houses on the island have a Christmas light contest, so it's probably really, really pretty. I'll admit, it is kind of pricey (for the 5 of us, it was $175), but I think it's really worth it.
Oh, I minus'd a star because my whole family got stomachaches after eating the salami they included in our meat/cheese/cracker basket, I think there was something wrong with it that day. I won't hold it against them, but I'll just be a little wary next time.
*Tip: Bring your own drinks, they provide an ice bucket and cups. -
Review from Gina M.
2/25/2010 6 photos
How can you not give it five stars!?! Well, unless something went God awful wrong on what was supposed to be an uber romantic evening... then I understand.
About 2 years ago (May 2008), the Mister took me on this romantical 1 hour getaway which is located in Long Beach in the Belmont Shore area. Who woulda thunk, right? I had no idea this ever existed and I used to live in Long Beach for 3 years.
Your gondola awaits you just as the sun is about to set with cheese, meats, and bread to nibble on. You're more than welcome to bring your own wine too! Personally, I think the gondolier played a big role in making this ride romantic and memorable... they SING... and they're pretty good... and they make you kiss... which at first I thought was awkward... I'm not a big fan of PDA... but I'm sure they've witnessed worse. For that moment... you truly forget where you are... and for that moment you can pretend your on the Venice canals in Italy and simply enjoy it.
The homes were beautiful and I enjoyed admiring them and making plans with the Mister to one day own a home and boat like that one there... or over there! I read on their website this ride is especially fun to do with the family during the Christmas holiday when the homes and boats are decked in Christmas lights!
FELLAS.... MAJOR BROWNIE POINTS... TONS. -
Review from Celine L.
Monterey Park, CA
8/13/2009
SO ROMANTIC! i am dying to go to venice and this is as close as it gets! my ex brought me here and asked me out, came at 9pm. it was late september, it was COLD. but they had blanket! gave us plastic cups, cheese and crackers, and we brought our own wine. our gondolier didn't sing, but told us to kiss under the bridge. it actually took about an hour, well worth it i think. better than vegas or any other gondola rides in the US. the houses are to die for. i want to live in one in the future! homeowners are actually friendly too. each house has a different style and no two are the same. yachts everywhere. this is the life. i've walked around here in sunset, i think night time would be more romantic than day time, but you definitely see a lot more at night.
they also took a photo and gave it as a souvenier.
tip: go LATE sunset, or night time for a romantic feel.
favourite: ambience, canals
do not want: water is a little dirty. can it last forever? pricey?
last words: take your girlfriend hereListed in: Random things to do in SoCal, Seal the deal
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Review from Lisa V.
Irvine, CA
11/23/2007 1 Check-in Here
Who knew there were the canals like Venice that you could ride on your very own gondola with a singing gondolier? Yes, you can do all that in Belmont Shore/Naples area! I have been here in the summer, but the best time is after Thanksgiving and all the houses are lit up in twinkle Xmas lights.
I believe they have gondolas that can hold up to 15 guests and they are very professional with setting up your reservation and making arrangements for big groups. These gondoliers are no joke! They compete in an annual competition in Venice and they know the "art" and are formally trained into how they maneuver and row that boat. I am amazed with all they know! As with all service, sometimes you may get assigned a gondolier that isn't as friendly or maybe as knowledgeable as the next....so experience may vary. But just start talking to them, and coax them into singing! You def need to at least try singing under the canal bridges.
For a special night - this is such a great idea! You can cuddle under a blanket and your fleece coats with some wine you bring and they supply cheese/salami & Albertson's soft french bread. I call it pillow bread. Mainly because it is that squishy soft bread they bake every two hours and I want to rest my little head on it when the cutie gondoliers start singing. It is a bit hokey, but it is so romantica! Every time I take this tour, I learn a little more about Long Beach and all the fabulous houses. Do yourself a favor and be a tourist in your own city.
And for the USC fans, I believe the owner is an alum and this was his thesis project when he was getting his business degree. -
Review from Racquel R.
Carson, CA
10/2/2010
CAUTION: this is very romantic lovey-dovey.
don't get me wrong..i love romantic things :) BUT i took my BOYFREIND on a gondola ride and i was a little nervous and we're not the most mature couple in the world -_-
so when we had to kiss underneath every bridge..and the gondelier started to sing ..my bf was caught off-guard thru mid-kiss and started laughing...which made me laugh...which sounded like we were giggling/snickering while the gondolier was singing, which is why i feel so bad :( he sang great! but we were caught off guard andd couldn't help ourselves....
this is def a different experience...and may sound like it is for older couples, but i had a great time attempting to be romantic. My bf gave me props for taking him on that date :) -
Review from toni p.
Riverside, CA
10/13/2006
Amazing, romantic and fun. Our gondoliera(?) was the only female crew member and races gondolas in Italy, so the company was nice yet not intrusive. We kissed under every bridge and greatly enjoyed the bread, cheese and wine provided by Gondola Getaways.
It's like entering another country, just going by boat through Naples at night. I felt like a whole weekend of relaxation got packed into an hour. Plus, I was completely swept off my feet ;)
Be sure to go at night, the lights on the water are magical. (For daytime, I recommend kayaking -- it's a better workout too!) -
Review from Paul F.
Lakewood, CA
7/12/2008
My wife and I have done this near Christmas for the past 2 years and plan to do it again this year. It's definitely going to become an annual tradition for us.
When you arrive you and your party are loaded into a Gondola and rowed across the lagoon and through the canals of Naples. It's the perfect way to see all the Christmas lights and decorations. They provide a small basket of bread salami and cheese, and plastic glasses. It's up to you to bring your own beverage of choice. For us it's always Champagne.
The two times we've gone we've had very different experiences with our gondolier. The first one talked almost the whole time and seemed to know everything about every house we passed. The other gondolier greeted us and said goodbye, other than that... dead silence.
Both times we really enjoyed ourselves and are looking forward to it again this year. -
Review from stephanie i.
San Francisco, CA
2/23/2006
I grew up in Huntington Beach and never explored Long Beach's little nook of fun aka Second Street. I had always seen and heard of the gondola rides through Naples, Long Beach but never even entertained the thought of riding through the canals until this past year. Turns out that the romantically cheesie vibe lends itself very well to a mellow girls night out.
My girlfriends and I get together every year during the holidays and after embracing the cheesieness of this service, it proved to be a relaxing and fun way to kick off the evening. A bottle of wine and a little gondola ride to check out the Christmas lights on the insanely expensive homes that sit atop the canals was all we needed to get into the holiday mood.
After the ride you can walk to dinner on Second Street after your holiday float and you are set.
Tips:
1) book your trip during the evening so you can really appreciate the christmas lights.
2) BYOB!!! They do not serve alcohol but you are more than welcome to bring your own. They do give you a complimentary basked of bread and cheese.. but I think you are better off packing your own. Don't forget the wine glasses or you'll be swiging from the bottle.
Service was nice. Good people working there. A great time out and well worth the $65/hour. Be sure to tip your gondolier... pushing a boat ain't no joke. -
Review from Steve C.
Long Beach, CA
7/21/2008
After our gondola cruise, I'm still left with the most pressing of questions: "Where do you get a pirate statue?" Our gondolier told us that the pirate that greets you and wishes you well on your departure--the pirate that stands at the head of the Naples canal and in front of the largest and most expensive of properties on the island--was new, having replaced the old pirate.
So, unless you're Johnny Depp, where does one get a pirate statue?
Answer: if you haven't purchased an $8 million dollar house on Naples island, you needn't ask.
Romantic cruise and great gondolier...a fun evening, pressing questions aside. -
Review from Michele J.
El Segundo, CA
11/30/2009
Wow. Who knew? For my birthday, my bf was taking me somewhere as a "surprise." So as we drove down the freeway towards Long Beach, I was thinking, Pine Avenue, Queen Mary, Aquarium maybe??? I had NO idea.
How can you grow up in Los Angeles and have NO idea that you can go on a romantic gondola ride without going all the way to Italy?
Our gondolier didn't sing, and under the first bridge, it seemed a little weird to be kissing in front of a college freshman, but hey... I got past that.
This is an awesome idea for a romantic date! I can't wait to go back and see the Christmas lights. -
Review from Christine R.
San Diego, CA
2/23/2008
Yes it's a bit corny, but even my un-corny-appreciating dude really really enjoyed it. We did the token Valentine's Day gondola ride and were treated with excellent service, a friendly, knowledgeable, and not overly cheesy gondolier (a bit of cheese is a given), and an overall lovely hour.
REC: If you're bringing a nice bottle of wine, I'd bring my own snacks too. I'm no gourmet, but my pinot noir goes down better with nibbles other than the cheddar cubes, salami slices, and half loaf of French bread (not sliced) that is provided.
If you forget your camera, it's all good bc they take a pic before you leave the dock and have it ready for you when you return.
The only other thing that would have made the time totally complete? Had my man let me bust out some "When the moon hits your eye..." a capella action... -
Review from Stevie W.
CA
3/25/2007
Living in the area, who would think to go do this almost touristy thing but we decided to do it on an off evening during the holidays (read between Xmas and New Years) when the entire Naples, Shore, Peninsula area is all decked out in lights and they even have floating Xmas trees in the bay...... well worth the time and effort.. but do realize is is COLD in the winter (not NYC cold but still bring a blanket or wear a good jacket and skip the sandals)
Yes it's romantic and if you are lucky like we were- our gondolier stopped under the bridges and sang arias and Xmas carols because the acoustics are remarkable.
Definitely something even locals would love-- kids enjoy it and distinctly romantic touch if you want to impress someoneListed in: My Neighborhood
