LA/Orange County Boat Parade Schedule! Don't Miss Them! #Boat #Parade

Los Angeles/Orange County Boat Parade Schedule

Dana Point - Boat Parade of Lights

When: Fri-Sat December 6-7 and 13-14, 2013, 7:30 pm

Viewing Locations: 

• Dana Point Harbor 34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA
• You can view the parade free from anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations at one of the waterfront restaurants. 
• There are also boat rides with Santa December 6-7 from 10 am to 2 pm from the Dana Wharf Sportfishing Dock.

Info: (949) 923-2255, www.danapointharbor.com

LA Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade 

What:  Decorated boats parade through the Port of LA Main Channel.

When: Saturday, December 7, 2013, 6-9:00 pm

Best Viewing Locations: 

• Banning Landing Community Center, 100 E. Water Street, Wilmington
• The Port of LA Cruise Ship Promenade, 600 N. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro
• Ports O' Call Village, 1100 Nagoya Way, San Pedro 
• Cabrillo Marina, 200 Whaler's Walk, San Pedro

Info and Parade Route: www.portoflosangeles.org/community/Calendar.asp

Long Beach Parade of 1000 Lights in the Downtown Shoreline

 and Rainbow Harbor Marinas

When: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 5:30 pm

Best Viewing Locations:

• From restaurants and the boardwalk at Shoreline Village 
• The Marina breakwall behind Shoreline Village
• Shoreline Park around the Lighthouse

Parking: Paid Parking at Shoreline Village, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Pike, metered street parking, pre-paid ticket boxes at the Downtown Marina

Info: www.shorelineyachtclub.com

Marina del Rey Boat Parade

When: Saturday, Dec 14, 2013, 

Fireworks 5:55 pm, parade 6 - 8 pm

Best Viewing Locations:

• Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
• Music, commentary and judging
• Fisherman's Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey
• View from along the channel or from one of the restaurants with a waterfront view. 

Parking: Parking fees in County Parking Lots are waived for the parade. There is NO street parking.

Info: www.mdrboatparade.org

King Harbor Boat Parade in Redondo Beach

When: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 5:30 - 7 pm

Viewing Locations:

• From King Harbor Marina to the Redondo Beach Pier
• All along the waterfront from restaurants, breakwalls or along the piers

Parking: Paid parking in the Pier Parking structure, Redondo Beach Marina and street parking

Info: www.khyc.org

Naples Christmas Boat Parade - Long Beach

When:  Saturday, December 21st, 2013 6:00PM

Best Viewing Locations:

• Many of the restaurants along Seaport Village

Parking:  

Alamitos Bay Marina off 2 Street and Marina Drive offers substantial free parking just over the Davies Bridge from Naples. Mothers Beach off Revenna and Appian Way has some metered parking as well as Beach parking at Bayshore and Ocean Boulevard.

Info: http://www.naplesca.com/Home_Page.html

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

When: December 18-22, 2013. The parade starts off Bay Island at 6:30 pm and finishes at the same site at approximately 9:00 pm. There is an opening night fireworks show on December 188 at 6:20 pm. 

Check the Route Map for the day you will attend.

Free Viewing Locations:

• On the bay side of Balboa Peninsula from 18th Street to the end of Bay Avenue
• Anywhere along the water on Balboa Island
• Along Pacific Coast Highway between Balboa Bay Club and Riverside Drive
• Along the water on Lido Isle. 
• Boats go into the channel on the west end of the island only on weekends

Paid Viewing Locations:

• Seating is available at the American Legion Post 291 located at 215 15th Street. Call early to reserve (949) 673-5070 or 1-800-655-0149.
• The Newport Sea Base (1931 W. Coast Hwy.) has lawn seating with a view of the Parade. Call 949-642-5031 for more details.

Info: www.christmasboatparade.com, (949) 729-4400

For years, my family participated in the annual LA Harbor Afloat Parade and Newport Beach Boat Parade.  While my family does not own boats anymore, it is still a cherished tradition that I have passed onto my own children.  It is a great excuse to bundle up the children in warm clothing, grab a couple thermos' of hot cocoa, pack the chairs, and head to the harbor for the magical boat parades.  It is similar to going around the neighborhood looking at lights but instead the lights come to you!  

Each boat is decorated in the years theme to vie for prizes in the various contest categories.  Some enter the contests and some just enjoy a wonderful night out on the water with as many lights as they can fit on their vessel.   

With music blaring Christmas Carols and well wishers yelling Merry Christmas, it is the perfect activity to put your family in the holiday mood.