Major city · United States
San Pedro
Give San Pedro one full day for the USS Iowa and the Point Fermin bluff, two if you add a harbor cruise; base in Long Beach or Torrance and drive in.
San Pedro is the harbor district at the south end of the 110 freeway, 30–40 min from downtown Los Angeles without traffic. It holds the USS Iowa, a walkable waterfront of small museums, and the Point Fermin bluff with two lighthouses. Most travellers see it as a day from Long Beach or a pre-cruise night.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (marine layer and crowds), Thanksgiving and Christmas (aquarium closed)
- Airports
- LAX · LGB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Pedro911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Pedro, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySan Pedro is a working port district and generally fine in daytime around the waterfront and Point Fermin.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLAX Los Angeles International (Metro 232 toward San Pedro, transfer to the 205 or 246; check the schedule — about 1.5 h).
- Getting aroundMetro buses run the 110 corridor and Gaffey Street, but service is thin and slow; a car is the practical choice.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one person$18–35
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich$8–14
- BeerDraught beer at a brewery$7–9
- Metro or bus rideMetro single rideSilver Line express $2.50 (check)$1.75
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (maritime museum)$1–3
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAX Los Angeles International (Metro 232 toward San Pedro, transfer to the 205 or 246; check the schedule — about 1.5 h) · LGB Long Beach Airport (Closer by car; about 25–35 min to San Pedro)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Pedro: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Metro buses run the 110 corridor and Gaffey Street, but service is thin and slow; a car is the practical choice. Metro bike share has docks along the harborfront: single trips about $3.50 per 30 min, monthly pass about $20 (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Long Beach
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Drive over the Vincent Thomas Bridge (CA-47), or the 142 Commuter Express to the A Line
Aquarium, Queen Mary and a bigger restaurant choice; pair it with San Pedro in one day.
Torrance
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Drive north on Gaffey Street and the 110
More hotel choice and a mall; useful as a cheaper base.
Carson
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive north on the 110
Mostly residential and industrial; only worth it for a specific event.
Catalina Island
overnightDoor to door: Half a day each way
Passenger ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach, about 1 h–1 h 30 min
Book the ferry ahead; a day trip leaves little time on the island.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown San Pedro (6th and 7th Street)
Walk to the USS Iowa, the maritime museum and the Friday farmers market; a handful of hotels and motels.
Cabrillo Marina
Waterfront hotel with a pool; you need a car for everything else.
Gaffey Street corridor
Cheaper motels on the road toward Point Fermin; drive to the sights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| USS Iowa adult ticket2 × US$30 · check | US$60 |
| Rideshare LAX to San Pedro1 × US$45 · check; varies with demand | US$45 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$60 |
| Trip total≈ US$328 per person per day, bed included | US$655 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Deli sandwich | $8–14 |
| Sit-down dinner, one person | $18–35 |
| Draught beer at a brewery | $7–9 |
| Metro single rideSilver Line express $2.50 (check) | $1.75 |
| Museum entry (maritime museum) | $1–3 |
| Rideshare across town | $12–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Traffic on the 110 southbound is heavy on weekday mornings and northbound in the evening; add 20–30 min.
- The Point Fermin lighthouse tower has a height rule: children under 40 inches are not admitted, and under-18s need an adult.
- Grunion runs happen late at night March–June; bring warm layers and a flashlight, and a California fishing licence if you plan to take any by hand.
- Some sights are only open a few days a week: check hours before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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San PedroSan Pedro
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in San Pedro; consulates-general are in downtown Los Angeles (check your country's listing).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metro single ride: $1.75; Silver Line express $2.50 (check)
- Metro bike share, 30 min: about $3.50 (check)
- Rideshare LAX → San Pedro: $40–55 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the USS Iowa? — Where is the USS Iowa?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Thank you — Thank you
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Pedro. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (marine layer and crowds), Thanksgiving and Christmas (aquarium closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LAX and LGB: last Metro departures, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown waterfront, Point Fermin and Angels Gate Park, Cabrillo Beach.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (USS Iowa, Point Fermin, maritime museum, Cabrillo aquarium) and eat pages with last orders.
- Cruise-day fixtures so port arrival and departure days can go green.
Sources
- officialDiscover Los Angeles — San Pedro
- officialBattleship Iowa
- officialCabrillo Marine Aquarium
- officialLos Angeles Maritime Museum
- officialPoint Fermin Lighthouse and Park (LA Parks)
- officialLA Metro
- secondaryWikivoyage: San Pedro, revision 5296636 (CC BY-SA 4.0)