San Pedro should be a city unto itself. It sure feels like its very own place. However, it is actually part of the city of L.A.--and it happens to be one of the city's largest revenue generators with the Port of Los Angeles. One of the busiest ports in the United States creates a unique waterfront setting with colorful cranes that dot skyline, visible from sandy Cabrillo Beach and hilltop museums such as Fort McArthur, or Friendship Park with the Korean Friendship Bell.
San Pedro is best known by tourists as the cruise port but there's plenty to see and do for a weekend, or even just a day visit. Some of our favorite things include:
Fishing off the Cabrillo Beach Pier near the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Statues and tributes to nation's military & maritime history include: Jacob's Ladder by Jasper D'Ambrosi
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro Open Tuesday through Sunday. Free Admission (310) 548-7562 cabrilloaq.org
Gateway Plaza Fanfare Fountain (Dancing Waters) Harbor Blvd. and the Vincent Thomas Bridge, San Pedro Show times: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. - One song plays every 30 minutes with periodic mini-shooter activity Noon to 1 p.m. & 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. - One song plays every 10 minutes portoflosangeles.org
Los Angeles Maritime Museum Berth 84 at the foot of 6th Street, San Pedro Open Tuesday through Sunday. (310) 548-7618 lamaritimemuseum.org
Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line operates Friday through Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. Free one-hour parking is available at the Los Angeles Cruise Promenade parking lot located just past the Catalina Express Terminal gate. A $1 all-day fare (310) 732-3473
S.S. Lane Victory Berth 94 – Swinford and Harbor Blvd., San Pedro Open for Self-guided tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (310) 519-9545 lanevictory.org
Point Fermin Lighthouse Historic Site and Museum, 807 Paseo Del Mar Blvd., San Pedro Open Tuesday through Sunday, featuring guided tours at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. (310) 241-0684 pointferminlighthouse.org
Warner Grand Theater 478 West 6th Street, San Pedro (310) 833-4813 grandvision.org
When you go, be sure to give yourself time to explore. There are around five major museums and aquariums, lots of oceanside restaurants, and enough entertainment to fill your day with excitement. The
Where to stay: The Crowne Plaza Hotel is located downtown, near the
cruise port, while the Doubletree is a few miles away within walking
distance to Cabrillo Beach.