Naples, Long Beach, California
Encyclopedia
Naples is a neighborhood of Long Beach, California
, United States, built on a series of islands located in Alamitos Bay
. Naples consists of three separate islands, divided by canals which open into the bay. Most of the streets on the island have Italianate names. The center of Naples features a large fountain which serves as a popular meeting spot.
. The design was by the firm Mayberry & Parker. The concept of canals and gondolas was similar to the "Venice of America
" developed by Abbot Kinney
up the coast. Parson's Naples Land Company called its plans the "Dreamland of Southern California", and projected that "through the canals and under the high arching bridges gay gondoliers will propel their crafts like those in the waters of the Adriatic under the blue skies of Italy." The project was completed in the 1920s, then rebuilt after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake
.
trips through the romantic canals of Naples. Gondola Getaway has been offering rides through Naples since 1982. Long Beach is only one of eight places in the Western United States
where tourists may ride in a gondola.
. The parade has been held since 1946.
schools:
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, United States, built on a series of islands located in Alamitos Bay
Alamitos Bay
Alamitos Bay is an inlet on the Pacific Ocean coast of southern California, United States, between the cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach, at the outlet of the San Gabriel River.The bay is named for the Spanish word for 'little poplars'.-Geography:...
. Naples consists of three separate islands, divided by canals which open into the bay. Most of the streets on the island have Italianate names. The center of Naples features a large fountain which serves as a popular meeting spot.
History
In 1903 Arthur Parson built the islands of Naples in the marshy Bixby Slough of the artificial Alamitos Bay, in the mouth of the San Gabriel RiverSan Gabriel River (California)
The San Gabriel River flows through southern Los Angeles County, California in the United States. Its main stem is about long, while its farthest tributaries extend almost altogether...
. The design was by the firm Mayberry & Parker. The concept of canals and gondolas was similar to the "Venice of America
Venice Canal Historic District
The Venice Canal Historic District is a district in the Venice section of Los Angeles, California. The district is noteworthy for its man-made canals built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his Venice of America plan. Kinney sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy...
" developed by Abbot Kinney
Abbot Kinney
Abbot Kinney was a developer and conservationist. Kinney is best known for his "Venice of America" development in Los Angeles.-Early life:...
up the coast. Parson's Naples Land Company called its plans the "Dreamland of Southern California", and projected that "through the canals and under the high arching bridges gay gondoliers will propel their crafts like those in the waters of the Adriatic under the blue skies of Italy." The project was completed in the 1920s, then rebuilt after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake
1933 Long Beach earthquake
The Long Beach earthquake of 1933 took place on March 10, 1933 at 17:55 PST , with a magnitude of 6.4, causing widespread damage to buildings throughout Southern California. The epicenter was offshore, southeast of Long Beach on the Newport-Inglewood Fault. An estimated fifty million dollars worth...
.
Gondola Tours
Long Beach offers gondolaGondola
The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in...
trips through the romantic canals of Naples. Gondola Getaway has been offering rides through Naples since 1982. Long Beach is only one of eight places in the Western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
where tourists may ride in a gondola.
Christmas Boat Parade
One very popular Christmas-time event in Naples is the "Naples Island Christmas Boat Parade", with groups of decorated boats going through the canals of Naples and around Alamitos Bay past Belmont ShoreBelmont Shore, Long Beach, California
Belmont Shore is a neighborhood in Long Beach, California. It is home to many shops, restaurants, salons and business offices.-Geography:Belmont Shore spans 2nd Street and Ocean Avenue near the southernmost part of the city between Bluff Park on the west and Naples Island on the East...
. The parade has been held since 1946.
Education
Naples residents are zoned to Long Beach Unified School DistrictLong Beach Unified School District
The Long Beach Unified School District is a school district headquartered in Long Beach, California, United States.LBUSD serves most of Long Beach, all of the city of Signal Hill, and portions of Lakewood, and Paramount, as well as Avalon and Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island.-School uniforms...
schools:
- Naples Bayside Academy
- Will Rogers Middle School
- Wilson Classical High SchoolWilson Classical High SchoolWoodrow Wilson Classical High School is a secondary school in Long Beach, California. It is part of the Long Beach Unified School District and opened in 1925.-Overview:Wilson High School opened in 1925 as the second school in the city....