Things to Do Near the LA Cruise Port Before (or After) Your Voyage

A Los Angeles cruise is a wonderful excuse to add a little Southern California time to your vacation. San Pedro and Long Beach both offer harbor history, waterfront views, and easy ways to enjoy the area before or after sailing. With a day or two to explore, you can also add beaches, museums, dining, or a memorable theme-park stay.

San Pedro Waterfront Area

The area around the World Cruise Center is part of the evolving LA Waterfront, with plenty of maritime character and worthwhile stops close to the terminal.

AltaSea: The innovative ocean science and technology campus located on the San Pedro waterfront is genuinely interesting. It's a working research facility with public components, beautiful waterfront location, and exhibits that appeal to both casual visitors and science enthusiasts. If you have a few hours before embarkation, this is a worthwhile stop.

West Harbor: The reimagined waterfront district at the former Ports O’ Call Village is a welcoming place to check for dining, events, and harbor views. Ben’s Travel can suggest the best option for your arrival date.

Korean Bell of Friendship Park: A hidden gem in San Pedro, this beautiful hilltop park features a large Korean bell pavilion and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It's peaceful, offers great photo opportunities, and is easily accessible by rideshare. If you have 1-2 hours in San Pedro, this is lovely.

Point Fermin Park: Located at the southern tip of the LA harbor, this scenic cliffside park offers excellent ocean views, coastal trails, and a historic lighthouse. During winter months (December-March), it's a prime whale-watching location. The park is peaceful and offers a genuine escape from port bustle.

Waterfront walks: The harbor promenade around the cruise terminal offers views of the actual working port—you'll see cargo ships, container operations, and maritime activity. It's not scenic in a traditional sense, but it's genuinely interesting and makes for pleasant walking if you have time to kill before embarkation.

San Pedro dining: Downtown San Pedro has developed a modest restaurant scene. Try Ports Brewing Company for craft beer and casual food, Fantasea Seafood for fresh seafood (appropriate for the location), or Nick's Bar & Grill for reliable local favorite status.

Long Beach Area

If you're sailing from Long Beach, you have significantly more to do in the immediate vicinity. Long Beach offers a lively waterfront, inviting restaurants, and plenty of options for a relaxed pre-cruise evening.

The Queen Mary: The iconic 1936 British ocean liner is permanently docked right at your cruise terminal. There's something fun about boarding your modern cruise ship right next to this legendary ship. The Queen Mary offers tours exploring the ship's history, art deco design, and maritime heritage. The dining and bars on the ship are accessible to visitors (no ship tour required). Whether you're history-inclined or not, it's a unique experience. Budget 2-3 hours for a proper tour.

Aquarium of the Pacific: One of the country's top aquariums, located right on the Long Beach waterfront, this is only a 20-minute walk from the cruise terminal or a quick 5-minute rideshare. The aquarium features outstanding shark exhibits, a penguin habitat, interactive touch pools, and world-class displays. Budget 3-4 hours for a thorough visit. This is excellent if you have time on your arrival day or are waiting for friends/family to arrive.

Downtown Long Beach and Pine Avenue: The city has invested substantially in developing a vibrant downtown. Pine Avenue is the hub, with excellent restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops. It's walkable, feels safe and lively, and offers genuine charm for an evening before departure. This is a strong option if you're staying overnight and want a nice dinner.

Shoreline Village and Rainbow Harbor: A waterfront shopping and dining complex with pleasant views, casual restaurants, and shopping. It's more tourist-oriented and less "authentic" than downtown Long Beach, but it's pleasant for a waterfront stroll and casual meal if you have time.

Greater Los Angeles (For Multi-Day Stays)

If you're spending 2+ days in the LA area before or after your cruise, the greater city offers world-class attractions.

Santa Monica and Venice Beach: The iconic California beach experience is 30-40 minutes from both cruise terminals via rideshare. Santa Monica Pier, the historic wooden amusement park, Third Street Promenade shopping, and the beach itself are all genuinely worth experiencing. Venice Beach offers boardwalk culture, street performers, people-watching, and California beach atmosphere. Plan a full day or at least a solid afternoon here.

Griffith Observatory: A world-class observatory with free admission (the interior exhibits are free; the planetarium shows charge a small fee). Located in the hills, it offers views of the entire LA basin and the Hollywood sign. The museum content is engaging and accessible. Go at sunset for the best experience.

Getty Center: A world-class art museum with free admission (parking is $20). The building, grounds, and collections are all stunning. It's genuinely worth a few hours, and it's free, making it an exceptional value. The views of LA from the hilltop location are spectacular.

Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre: A quintessential LA experience. It's touristy and perhaps overcrowded, but it's worth doing once to say you've done it. Plan a couple of hours for this.

Universal Studios Hollywood: Great for families with kids. The Universal lot tours and rides offer entertainment, and you can see genuine film sets. Plan a full day if you visit.

Beach communities between airports and port: Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach are beautiful coastal communities with excellent beaches, boardwalks, and local restaurants. They're between LAX and the cruise port, making them convenient if you have a few hours. Park and explore the beach, grab a meal, enjoy the California coastal atmosphere.

Los Angeles Dining Highlights

LA is genuinely a food lover's paradise. If you're spending time in the area:

Grand Central Market (downtown LA): A historic market hall filled with vendors offering diverse cuisines. It's casual, lively, and excellent for an informal lunch. Great for trying multiple cuisines in one location.

The Original Pantry Café (downtown): A Los Angeles institution since 1924, this is unpretentious comfort food in an iconic setting. Go for breakfast or lunch.

A special Long Beach dinner: Downtown and the waterfront offer plenty of appealing choices for a celebratory pre-cruise meal. Ask Ben’s Travel for a current recommendation that suits your hotel, timing, and tastes.

Fishing With Dynamite (Manhattan Beach): Outstanding fresh seafood with a modern approach. If you're at Manhattan Beach, this is a must-try.

Long Beach dining: From waterfront seafood to polished Italian and relaxed neighborhood favorites, Long Beach has excellent options for a pre-cruise meal. We’re happy to match you with a current favorite near your hotel.

Add a Disney or Universal Getaway

A Los Angeles-area cruise pairs beautifully with a theme-park stay. Disneyland Resort in Anaheim is ideal for families, multigenerational trips, and anyone who wants to add classic Disney magic before or after sailing. Universal Studios Hollywood is a great match for movie fans and thrill-seekers, with an easy full-day experience and plenty of nearby hotel choices. Ben’s Travel can bundle your cruise with park tickets, hotel accommodations, flights, and transportation to create one seamless Southern California vacation.

Planning Your Pre-Cruise LA Experience

Key principle: LA is wonderfully expansive, so the best plan is to group activities by neighborhood and leave time to enjoy each one. If you're in San Pedro, plan waterfront activities and Korean Bell Park, not Hollywood. If you're in Long Beach, plan downtown Long Beach, Queen Mary, and the Aquarium.

Rideshare is your friend: Rideshare can be an easy way to move between major attractions, hotels, and the cruise terminal. If you prefer to drive, Ben’s Travel can help you plan parking and timing.

Keep your cruise documents accessible: As you explore the area, keep your embarkation documents and cruise card in easy reach. You don't want to hunt for them when you return to the hotel for embarkation next morning.

Plan around embarkation timing: If you're arriving day-before, explore in the afternoon/evening, enjoy a nice dinner, then return to your hotel. Get solid sleep—you'll need it for embarkation morning.

Make the Most of Your Time in Los Angeles

From maritime history and waterfront dining to beaches, theme parks, and world-class museums, the Los Angeles area offers many ways to make your cruise vacation even more memorable. A little thoughtful planning lets you enjoy the places that best match your interests and schedule.

Want help planning your complete Los Angeles cruise experience, including pre-cruise accommodations and activity recommendations? Ben's Travel specializes in crafting complete cruise vacations, not just bookings. We'll help you choose your hotel, arrange transportation, and suggest activities based on your interests and timing. Contact Ben's Travel to start planning your Los Angeles adventure.