Duffy Boats

Cruising the quiet waters of Alamitos Bay and the canals of Naples are the Duffy Boats.  Perhaps you've seen them, but didn't know what they were called.  Maybe you own one with a really clever name.  Maybe you've only heard the name and have no idea what a Duffy Boat is.

What is a Duffy boat?  They are all electric bay and lake cruisers.  They have no exhaust, only one moving part in the DC engine and they are built right here in California.  They are used in Disney's California Adventure, Marriott Resort properties and other corporate venues worldwide.

Locally you will find Duffys in Huntington Harbor, Newport Harbor and some of the inland manmade lakes, like the ones in Westlake Village and Lake Forest.  There are over 3,000 of them in Newport Beach.  In Long Beach they live in Alamitos Bay and the canals of Naples.

Many of the residents of Naples own their own Duffy and they have clever names like "Nuts & Volts", "Lotta Watta", "Amply Blessed".  You can join clubs, like the McKenna's Electric Boat Club, where you pay an annual membership fee and have use of a Duffy.  You can rent boats by the hour at Pelican Joe's Bay Boat Rentals.  An 8 passenger boat is about $65 an hour and a 12 passenger boat is around $85 an hour.  There are specials and discounts seasonally. 

 We like to rent a Duffy to show friends and family from outside the area how beautiful Long Beach is.  We'll rent or borrow one just to have a little celebration, with wine and appetizers to cruise the area.  And I rent one to show my clients appreciation by taking them on a little cruise.

Our favorite time to rent is during the Christmas season when the Naples canals are decorated with light shows and all types of holiday decorations.  It's really beautiful.  Our group has been known to sing Christmas carols while cruising and sipping on a nice hot cup of wassail.

 It's another one of my favorite things about living in Long Beach.  A Duffy Boat cruise around Christmas or a gentle cruise on a summer evening, with good friends, family or clients, enjoying the good life on Alamitos Bay.  Long Beach, it will surprise you.  If you'd like to learn more about Duffy Boats or my client appreciation program, please send me an email (katielarson@kw.com) or give me a call (562.673.5335).

Sunday in Long Beach

While my posts typically focus on something historical or interesting about Long Beach and the area, today I'm just going to share one of the reasons it's so great to live here.

March 16, 2014:  The temperature reached a high of 90 degrees on this winter day.  A little warm for me, but also a perfect day to head toward the water.

My husband and I had the same craving for an umbrella drink and an ocean view about mid-afternoon, so we set out for Seal Beach, one of our favorite spots.  Seems everyone else had the same idea and parking was not to be found.  Also, there are not a lot of options in Seal Beach to get a water view and a cocktail.  The Hangout was packed and River's End has just a tavern license - that won't work when you are looking for something with rum.  All the other great places on Main Street lack the view, although are excellent options when that's not the goal.

Like a V8 commercial I realized that the perfect spot was actually in Long Beach: Boathouse on the Bay.  There are several restaurants along Marina Drive that can give you gorgeous water views of Alamitos Bay and serve up fine drinks and food.  We chose Boathouse, as we hadn't been there since the change from McKenna's on the Bay to Boathouse on the Bay, AND they had a steel drum band playing!

It was a perfect setting - with the sweet notes of the pans, we sat outside on the patio watching the boats on the bay, sipping potent mai tais, talking about how very lucky we are to live in Southern California, and in Long Beach, specifically.

Last evening was also our monthly date night and we decided to continue the afternoon's theme by heading to Tantalum, another excellent restaurant on Alamitos Bay.  And another round of mai tais.  No steel drums, but a glorious sunset view from our table and postcard scenes as the sinking sun turned the palm trees, passing Duffy boats and lone sculler into silhouettes.

Florida is nice, the Caribbean entices, Hawaii calls, but right here in Long Beach we have tropical breezes, steel drum melodies, umbrella drinks and the relaxing sound of waves on the shore.

Long Beach, it will surprise you.

Holidays in Long Beach - Lights On!

Thanksgiving is over, we are in the middle of Hanukkah and Christmas is fast approaching.  There are the traditional parades to enjoy and new holiday traditions being started here in Long Beach, many centered around lights.

The floating Christmas trees in Alamitos Bay and other public recreation areas have been up for a few weeks and they were turned on the day after Thanksgiving.  The tradition of Trees in the Bay goes back to 1949, but the first of the wooden structures you see today started in 1953.  The trees are maintained and lit through generous donations of local organizations and individuals.

This year Shul by the Shore's Fire & Ice Extravaganza was a public menorah lighting and celebration of Hanukkah.  Located at the Citibank parking lot on 2nd Street, the event was held on December 1st, and was the first one held in the Shore.  Here's hoping that becomes a tradition.

This week we have the 31st Annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7th.  The parade starts at 6:00 p.m. at the corner of 2nd Street and Livingston, continuing the length of 2nd Street to Bayshore.  You can set up chairs and blankets after 5p.  Dress warmly!

The Shoreline Marina Yacht Club puts on the Parade of 1,000 Lights on December 14th, after the 60th Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Parade, which begins at 5:00 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the Naples Island Annual Holiday Boat Parade on December 21st.  It's the 67th edition of the floating tradition. 

You don't need a date and a time to walk the canals of Naples to enjoy the holiday lights.  Make your own parade by renting a Duffy Boat to view the lights from the water.

There are so many more events that make Long Beach the place to be for the holidays.  And if you're looking to buy or sell a home here, don't just tell Santa, please let me know!  I'd love to help your holiday home dreams come true.  Wishing you a Joyous Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Kwanzaa and a wonderful holiday season.