Often people taking a cruise from the Port of Los Angeles ask for things to do while they are "stuck" in San Pedro. Although the San Pedro neighborhood where the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal is located is a bit off the main tourist trail, I wouldn't consider spending time in this port-side community a hardship.

Industrial fishing has been significantly reduced in recent years and many of the canneries have closed, but this is still a fishing town, and it has a bit of that fishing village vibe about it. The residential areas closest to the waterfront are modest cottages with an East Coast feel. You can still, however, easily find Los Angeles Cruise Port hotels with all the modern trimmings.

Unlike most of the coast in Southern California, San Pedro has a scenic craggy shoreline with steep cliffs. Only a 20-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, the Port not only boasts a bustling cruise center serving destinations to the popular Mexican Riviera and beyond, but also the scenic Cabrillo Beach for public swimming, boating and fishing, a vintage Pacific Electric Red Car rail line, Ports O' Call Village, and entertaining summertime events for the entire family, including the nation's largest Lobster Festival. In downtown San Pedro -- all within a five mile radius -- you'll find historical landmarks, parks, museums, one-of-a-kind art galleries, shops and restaurants and unique treasures from yesteryear such as the Warner Grand Theater. Port of Los Angeles Parking is about $12 per day; not bad, not great. This is a nice little town to get rustic in, and made me think of a kind of latin-flavored Gloucester.

10-05-17