Surf, sand, and Angel's Gate in San Pedro
Sweeping ocean views and a relaxed surf vibe makes San Pedro a dream Californian destination. A 30-minute drive south of downtown LA, San Pedro sits between the chic communities of Long Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes. Book a San Pedro vacation rental overlooking the ocean and have access to San Pedro's 5 beaches. History buffs can enjoy the Fort MacArthur Museum and the Battleship USS Iowa Museum, while kids young and old will love the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. After a day on the beach, head to Angels Gate Park and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.
Meet the grunions and the sea life scene in San Pedro
A San Pedro vacation rental is a great base for family adventures. Visit the USS Iowa, a battleship-turned-museum docked in the Port of Los Angeles. A must for history fans, the 45,000-tonne battleship served in World War II and the Korean War. A maritime museum since 1990, it's open to the public every day. Take the kids to get up-close-and-personal with a variety of sea life at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Shake fins with a ray in the touch pool tank, and meet the grunions, a rare breed of fish that come ashore to lay their eggs.
San Pedro is all about sun, surfers, and sunken cities
Life in San Pedro revolves around the beach, and with 5 to choose from, you can visit a different one almost every day of the week. The LA surf set usually favor Cabrillo Ocean Beach, which sees plenty of good breaks. Swimmers and sunbathers should stick to the harbor side of the beach where the ocean is much calmer. Grab a picnic and head west towards Point Fermin, and at low tide you can see the Sunken City of San Pedro, the remains of a small neighborhood devastated by a landslide nearly a century ago.
Blissful hot summers, but beware of June Gloom
Thanks to a blissful subtropical climate, San Pedro is blessed with long balmy summers and a short wet winters, making it a haven for surfers and sun worshippers. Peak season runs between May and September, when demand for San Pedro vacation rentals is at its highest. It can get very hot in July and August, when temperatures smash through the 100-degree mark. Thankfully, San Pedro's cool coastal breeze makes it more comfortable. Watch out though for June Gloom - California's unpredictable weather pattern that brings high temperatures but cloudy, overcast skies.
Exploring the beaches and other natural features in San Pedro
Whether you're an active traveler or just want to appreciate the scenery, San Pedro is a great place to spend some time outside. These are some of the area's most eye-catching natural features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Cabrillo Beach (1.9 mi / 3.1 km)
- Palos Verdes Peninsula (3.9 mi / 6.3 km)
- South Coast Botanic Garden (4.5 mi / 7.3 km)
- Torrance Beach (7.6 mi / 12.3 km)
- Naples Island (9.8 mi / 15.7 km)
- Manhattan Beach (12.1 mi / 19.4 km)
Transportation options to and around San Pedro
The nearest airport is in Los Angeles Intl. (LAX), located 15.6 mi (25.1 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you can also fly into Long Beach Municipal Airport (LGB), which is 10.2 mi (16.3 km) away.