General Information
City of San Pedro Website: www.sanpedro.com
Chamber of Commerce: 310-832-7272;
www.sanpedrochamber.com
Overview
On the southern side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula lies a fiercely proud community that’s ever revitalizing. The port city of San Pedro (pronounced “PEE-dro”) relies heavily on boat traffic, with freighters and barges from points all over the world drifting in and out, creating an industrial feel. However, San Pedro takes pains to maintain its historical look—cut down the palms and you’d swear you were in some New England fishing town. Live out your deepest SoCal transit fantasies: Ride in one of the city’s “Big Red Cars,” restored railcars that run 12 pm to 9:30 pm Friday-Sunday (and some weekdays, when cruises dock) and pay a mere buck for fare. San Pedro boasts sweet hidden delights, from the Mediterranean-style Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse (3800 Stephen M White Dr, 310-548-7554) built in 1932, to the charming seaside village Ports O’ Call, to the enriching Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S Gaffey St, 310-519-0936; www.angelsgateart.org) and the Victorian Port Fermin Lighthouse and Park (807 Paseo Del Mar). Visit the Korean Fellowship Bell (and definitely hang with the sick seals while in the park: www.marinemammalcare.org), see the grunion run at night on Cabrillo Beach (check the internet for days and times), or find placid tide pools beneath the cliffs. And do not miss Sunken City, a neighborhood that fell over the cliffs due to seismic shifting. (Walk south from Point Fermin Lighthouse and hop the wall.)
As befits a seafaring town, some of the country’s foremost tattoo parlors can be found in San Pedro. It also boasts the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W 6th St, 310-548-7672; www.warnergrand.org), an opulent Art Deco venue built in 1931 that is rich in both history and culture. Visit Green Hills Memorial Park to visit the graves of Charles Bukowski and The Minutemen’s D Boon. But what defines and distinguishes San Pedro most is the monthly ART Walk. On the first Thursday of every month, art galleries, retail shops, restaurants, and street vendors celebrate creativity by staying open late and offering discounts and specials. Live entertainment accompanies the action throughout the historic downtown Arts District, located between 4th and 8th Streets and Pacific Avenue and Centre Street, a neighborhood with terrific vintage shops selling cool and unusual wares. Visit www.1stthursday.com for an extensive list of participating establishments.
San Pedro is also a bridge away from Long Beach via Terminal Island (St. Vincent Thomas Bridge), and has ferries to Catalina Island for fantastic day trips.
How to Get There
From downtown LA, take the Harbor Freeway south (110 S) to Gaffey Street, then head south to San Pedro.
Landmarks• Angel’s Gate Cultural Center • 3601 S Gaffey St
• Art Walk • W 4th St & S Pacific Ave
• Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse • 3800 Stephen M White Dr
• Catalina Express Terminal • Swinford St & N Harbor Blvd
• Point Fermin Lighthouse • 807 W Paseo Del Mar
• Ports O’ Call • 1100 Nagoy Wy
• San Pedro Farmer’s Market • Mesa St, b/w 6th & 7th Sts
Movie Theaters• Warner Grand Theatre • 478 W 6th St
Nightlife• Godmother’s • 302 W 7th St
• June’s Bar • 1100 S Pacific Ave
Restaurants• 6th Street Bistro • 354 W 6th St
• Ante’s Restaurant • 729 Ante Perkov Wy
• Beach City Grill • 376 W 6th St
• Marcello Tuscany Room • 470 W 7th St
• Nam’s Red Door • 2253 S Pacific Ave
• Pacific Diner • 3821 S Pacific Ave
• Papadakis Taverna • 301 W 6th St
• Ports O’ Call Restaurant • Berth 76
• Rex’s Café • 2136 S Pacific Ave
• Think Bistro • 1420 W 25th St
• Think Café • 302 W 5th St
• The Whale and Ale • 327 W 7th St
Shopping• Coyote Antiques • 387 W 6th St
• Office Depot • 810 N Western Ave
• Ramona Bakery • 1101 S Pacific Ave
• Sav-On • 950 N Western Ave