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Many people who are considering a cruise vacation are surprised to learn that not all cruise ships depart from Miami. In fact, the U.S. has an amazing variety of homeports dotting the Eastern Seaboard, the Gulf Coast and the West Coast.
Cruises to the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii and the South Pacific depart from The Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center, located in San Pedro, Calif. Cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America and Royal Caribbean have made San Pedro one of the busiest passenger ports in the U.S. If you have some time to explore the area, you’ll find fascinating sights, many within walking distance or easy driving distance of the cruise ship dock.
San Pedro’s landmarks include the Vincent Thomas Bridge, also called “San Pedro’s Golden Gate,” the third longest suspension bridge in California. You can tour the SS Lane Victory, a fully operational World War II cargo ship that is now a museum. Or, take a lighthouse tour: Point Vicente Lighthouse sits high above the coast, offering spectacular views; Angel’s Gate Lighthouse guards the entrance to the port; and Point Fermin Lighthouse, saved from destruction in 1972, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
San Pedro also has interesting buildings, including the Warner Grand Theater. The Art Deco theater opened in 1931 and is one of the few remaining theaters of its kind. San Pedro is also home to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. If you are interested in modern architecture, you may want to visit Wayfarers Chapel in nearby Rancho Palos Verdes. This lovely “glass church” was designed by Lloyd Wright, the architect son of Frank Lloyd Wright.
San Pedro also has an Old Town, where you’ll find international cuisine and lots of shops. Old Town is also dotted with art galleries and studios, many of which participate in an Artwalk event on the first Thursday of each month. You can spend the evening browsing paintings, photographs, sculpture, glass, furniture and antiques.
To find out about more things to see and do in San Pedro – such as the Ports o’ Call Village, the Korean Bell of Friendship and the Trump National Golf Club – talk with your personal cruise expert about the variety of cruises that embark from San Pedro.
To find out more information, call your cruise experts at Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo 949-215-6700.
