Mission
Viejo, August 6, 2008
Highlighting
Homeports: San Pedro
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.
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