It’s tradition for many Los Angeles and Orange County, CA residents to take holiday lights cruises around harbors and past beautifully-lit residences. If you live in LA or the OC, or will be visiting these areas, we think you should get in on this magical holiday occasion too.
Holiday lights cruises in Los Angeles and Orange County are fun for the entire family. They’re perfect excuses to bundle up in warm jackets, scarves, and hats and then sip yummy hot drinks as you view gorgeous holiday lights.
We’ve put together a list of some of the top cruise companies offering holiday lights tours of Los Angeles and Orange County cities. Choose a cruise on one of these exciting boats to enjoy the merriment of the season in a special and memorable way.
Newport Beach Holiday Lights Cruises
Newport Beach Holiday Lights Cruises take you into the heart of the waters of Newport Harbor, where luxurious mansions come alive with holiday décor and bright lights. You’ll even see some lit-up yachts on a Newport Beach Holiday Lights Cruise, so bring your camera and plan for magic memories.
Newport Beach Holiday Lights Cruises run from early December until about the first weekend in January. They offer brilliant views of holiday-lighted landscapes illuminated with thousands of lights. More than one hundred estates are lit for your holiday enjoyment.
Tickets for these cruises are reasonably priced and reservations are required. Consider taking a Newport Beach Holiday Lights Cruise this year and enjoying what the New York Times called “one of the top 10 holiday happenings in the nation.”
Cruise of Lights, Huntington Beach
Cruise of Lights in Huntington Beach is a 45-minute narrated holiday lights cruise that glides past the stunning homes in the Huntington Harbor. Boats, docks, and houses twinkle with holiday lights in gorgeous displays that win trophies.
Cruise of Lights cruises have brought joy to Southern Californians and So Cal tourists since the early 1960’s. These cruises run from mid-December until right before Christmas. They’re narrated and they feature festive holiday music.
Cruise of Lights in Huntington Beach was voted a “Top 10” holiday attraction by Coastal Living Magazine. AOL calls Huntington Beach one of the “10 Best Christmas Lights Destinations in the U.S.” AAA Southern California says it’s “Worth The Drive.”
Channel Islands Harbor Light Cruises
Channel Islands Harbor Light Cruises escort passengers via water taxi to view brightly-colored lights and holiday decorations. On these holiday lights cruises, you’ll ride through the Channel Islands Harbor and enjoy the festive décor that Harbor residents have put up for the season.
Canals of Naples, Long Beach
Canals of Naples Holiday Lights Cruises take you through the enchanting canals of Naples, in Long Beach, in an authentic gondola. You’ll view intricately-decorated homes along the waterfront and enjoy a beautiful evening out in a special locale. Even though the weather is usually moderate in Long Beach, you’ll want to dress warmly for these winter night excursions. Bookings start in July for the Canals of Naples holiday lights cruises.
This holiday season, pick one or more of these holiday lights cruises to enjoy. They’re all different and special in their own way.
