Location: Long Beach, California
Time: 1.5 – 3 Hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Season: Year Round
Foot Traffic: Light
Date Visited: Thursday, June 16, 2022
Overview
For those in Southern California who love to kayak, look no further than the Naples Canals. These canals are reminiscent of those in Italy, forming the backdrop to a stunningly beautiful neighborhood situated on the water in Long Beach. While there are multiple ways to access these canals, I typically choose to paddle from Mother’s Beach.
This is an incredibly fun way to spend the day. In October, houses are decorated fabulously for Halloween, and Christmas time turns into a frenzy of people visiting to check out the stunning decorations that nearly every house in the neighborhoods takes part in. As kayakers continue through the canals, they can venture in any direction they choose, and the sights and relaxation of floating along the canals is exceptional.
Route Description and Scout’s Story
While there are other options to launch, I find the easiest for our family is to just launch from Mother’s Beach in Long Beach. On this overcast day, my wife, myself, and our 1 year old daughter, Scout, made our way to the far end of the beach at Mother’s Beach and readied the kayak. The most important part for launching here is to remember that once you are in the water, to head left and towards the bridge.
The kayaking was a little tough as we started to paddle on this morning, as we were paddling directly against the incoming winds. Eventually, we reached a series of bridges and turned left continuing to paddle underneath one bridge after another. Once we bypassed all the bridges, we were now in an open straightaway that seemed like it took forever, but we could see the entrance to the Naples Canals up ahead in the distance off to our left.
Reaching the Naples Canals
Finally, we reached the entrance to the Naples Canals and took a left to start our exploration of the canals and neighborhoods. Our 1 year old was now fast asleep from the rocking of the kayak.
My wife and I both took turns paddling, but for the most part, we both just let the kayak slowly glide along as we leaned back and just enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding houses and canals.
This trip isn’t one of those that you will want to rush. Just sit back and enjoy being on the water. We cruised along for over an hour before finally deciding to make the paddle back towards Mother’s Beach.
The Paddle Back to Mother’s Beach
I was a little upset that our daughter Scout was still sleeping and didn’t get to enjoy the sights, but I knew she would have more opportunities as she would grow older. Of course, about ten minutes after we exited the canals, Scout woke up. The paddle back took a little bit of time as I paddled and mom fed baby Scout. Once we arrived back on Mother’s Beach, we broke down the kayak and just enjoyed our time playing with Scout in the water.
This is a fabulous activity for families and anyone who enjoys kayaking and being on the water.
As I look back on this trip, I can’t help but look at the pictures of baby Scout and think of a few things. Exactly two months after this trip, Scout was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She seemed to be doing great on this day and having a lot of fun, but it’s hard knowing that we were doing all of these things and had no idea of the pain Scout was in and that she had masses growing inside of her. Scout is currently doing well in her battle against cancer and is a beautiful, strong little girl.
Getting to the Launch Site to Reach the Naples Canals
Mother’s Beach, Long Beach, CA 90803
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Is there a fee to kayak here?
- The only fee would be the parking fee to park at mothers beach and the cost to rent a kayak if you do not already have one.
Please recreate responsibly. Respect other kayakers, and all visitors and wildlife. Also realize that you are kayaking through someone’s backyard so please treat those landowners with the same respect you would want them to treat you with. Help make everyone’s experience better by keeping the nature experience as authentic as possible. Leave no trace and pack out everything that you pack in. Please remember that we are visitors and stewards of these special places. Help keep these places as wild as possible while not diminishing the outdoor experience of others.
