It's not Venice, Italy. It's not even Venice, CA. But the custom-built black gondolas offer romantic rides through the Naples canals near Long Beach's bustling 2nd Street. The gondolier will sing, serve food (French bread, cheese and salami) and entertain all with tales of the exclusive waterfront homes.

What Abbot Kinney once dreamed for Venice Beach, Gondola Getaways is doing in Long Beach. The romantic rides last about an hour; the serenades, thankfully, last only a couple of minutes. Gondola riders just need to bring their own wine—ice bucket, glasses and opener are provided. Sunset cruises are the most popular, but the gondolas are out all day long and are often busy well into the night. Reservations are required at least one day in advance; for sunset and evening rides it's best to call three weeks ahead. The weather can be unpredictable, so dressing in layers is advisable, though blankets are provided when the weather gets unusually chilly.—Daniel Wool