Naples is a neighborhood of

Long Beach, California Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...

, United States, built on three islands located in Alamitos Bay. The islands are 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 city was named after the Italian city

Naples Naples ( ; ; ) is the Regions of Italy, regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 908,082 within the city's administrative limits as of 2025, while its Metropolitan City of N ...

History

Naples was once marshland within the artificial Alamitos Bay, at the mouth of the San Gabriel River. Around 1903, Arthur M. Parsons raised $500,000 from investors and purchased the marshland from the Alamitos Land Company. Construction began in August, 1905, reshaping the existing land and water into the three islands of Naples. The design was by the firm Mayberry & Parker, who also contributed to the Hotel Wentworth in

Pasadena Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial d ...

. The concept of canals and gondolas was similar to the " Venice of America" developed by

Abbot Kinney Abbot Kinney (November 16, 1850 in New Brunswick, New Jersey – November 4, 1920 in Santa Monica, California) was an American Real estate development, developer, conservation movement, conservationist, water supply expert and tree expert. Kinne ...

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. The seawall was rebuilt in 1938 following the

1933 Long Beach earthquake The 1933 Long Beach earthquake took place on March 10 at south of downtown Los Angeles. The epicenter was offshore, southeast of Long Beach, California, on the Newport–Inglewood Fault. The earthquake had a magnitude estimated at 6.4 , and ...

California - Long Beach - NARA - 23934457

From 1904 to 1950, the neighborhood was served by the

Pacific Electric The Pacific Electric Railway Company, nicknamed the Red Cars, was a privately owned Public transport, mass transit system in Southern California consisting of electrically powered streetcars, interurban cars, and buses and was the largest electr ...

Balboa Line.

Activities

Marine Park AKA "Mother's Beach"

This sheltered beach allows for various activities due to the volleyball courts, play area and picnic sites. Known as "Mother's Beach" for its gentle wave action, as well as its shallow swimming area paired with lifeguard supervision during peak periods. Marina Park offers both a great beach for kids and a nearby grassy play area.

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, around Alamitos Bay, and past Belmont Shore. The parade has been held since 1946. The "Trees in the Bay" floating Christmas tree tradition dates to 1949.

On the Bay Fun

At various locations near Naples Island, services for kayak rentals, stand-up paddle boarding, and hydro biking are available. Hydro bikes, are similar to paddle boats, yet are elevated in design to allow for better site-seeing. They also come in single occupancy and double occupancy.

Overlook Park

Known locally as Naples Plaza. This small bay front park is a tear-drop shaped strip of land stretching from the west end of Corso di Napoli and terminating at the east end of Corso di Oro. It has a few park benches with a view of Seal Beach as well as Alamitos Bay.

La Bella Fontana di Napoli

In the middle of Naples Island, a small park is located that includes benches, bay views only a block away, and grass centered around an elegant, three-tiered circular fountain. It was originally named "Circle Park Naples" in 1933, and renamed in 1934 to "Bella Flora Park." In 1971, the park was given its current name "La Bella Fontana di Napoli". A well-liked place for a picnic that is a short distance from the Alamitos Bay walkways and views.

Education

Naples residents are zoned to

Long Beach Unified School District The Long Beach Unified School District is a school district headquartered in Long Beach, California, United States. Established in 1885, Long Beach Unified School District educates 64,000 students in 84 public schools in the cities of Long ...

schools:
Naples Bayside Academy

Will Rogers Middle School
*

Wilson Classical High School Woodrow Wilson High School (colloquially known as Long Beach Wilson) is an American public high school located in Long Beach, California. This two-block campus is located approximately 1.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean, across from the Recreation ...

Architecture

Appearances in popular culture

* Several episodes of ''

Sea Hunt ''Sea Hunt'' is an American action adventure television series that aired in syndication from 1958 to 1961 and was popular for decades afterwards. The series originally aired for four seasons, with 155 episodes produced. It stars Lloyd Bridges ...

References

{{Reflist

External links

Naples Improvement Association

Naples Island Business Association
Neighborhoods in Long Beach, California Tourist attractions in Long Beach, California Populated places established in 1903 1903 establishments in California Islands of Los Angeles County, California Islands of Southern California