A Day Trip to San Pedro
A perfect 1 day itinerary, for you!
Hello!
Happy Olympics szn to all who celebrate. I am on a quest to find the best bar for Olympics viewing, LMK if you have recs!
Today we’re traveling South of LA to San Pedro, a city that I mostly associated with taking the ferry to Catalina until this past weekend. According to the Visit California website because I couldn’t describe it better myself - “Located at the southern point of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, between Manhattan Beach and Long Beach, San Pedro is home to the busiest port in the country: the Port of Los Angeles.” I was so pleasantly surprised by everything we discovered there, and I’m excited to share a ton of recs with you after my day of research!
Your Guide to San Pedro
Food & Drink
Colossus Bread - Colossus has been on my list for literal years! Top tier pastries & bread, absolutely lived up to the hype. We got a strawberry basil scone, cinnamon knot, and the LA Times-acclaimed buckwheat almond financier! Need to go back for bread
San Pedro Fish Market & Restaurant - she’s an icon, she’s a legend! I’ve also wanted to try SPFM’s shrimp tray for years and it also lived up to the hype! They are in a temporary space while their next home is in progress, more on that later…
The Corner Store - The sweetest market with a full sandwich menu, coffee bar and excellent drink selection. Very cozy and neighborhood-y - don’t miss the free library outside which is FULL of great books!
Points of Interest / Things to Do
The Den - No matter what you do, I need you to pay Denise a visit at The Den. It’s the cutest boutique shop with an excellent curation of goods, and Denise will even offer you an espresso to sip while you browse. She is perfect, and this store is perfect! Right next to Corner Store :)
Peacock spotting - In the neighborhood surrounding The Den + Corner Store, keep an eye out for peacocks! We saw not one but two during our visit - they just perch on top of people’s houses and on their patios. So epic!!
Artist’s Gate Gallery & Artist Lofts - An absolute treat that we would’ve missed if it weren’t for sweet Denise! Although the artist lofts are only open to the public for special events (keep tabs on their calendar) - the gallery is open weekly and holds some awesome rotating exhibits. Need to get back here for their Thursday art walk some day!
Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club - Stop by the BSMRC next door to the gallery and nerd out on some model trains!! Everyone there is so knowledgeable and will happily answer any q’s you have!
Marine Mammal Care Center - MMCC is a non-profit hospital rehabilitating marine animals in the greater South Bay/Los Angeles regions. Check their visiting hours, but loved stopping by here to see some seals basking in the sunlight and learn more about the MMCC’s efforts to save the animals <3
Point Fermin Lighthouse - The most charming lighthouse right on the cliffs at Point Fermin. Built in 1874 to light the entrance to the growing Los Angeles Harbor, the lighthouse is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year - San Pedro is hosting a big celebration on August 17th, see HERE for more info!
Korean Bell of Friendship - We love a random historic landmark! Korea gifted the USA a bell as a sign of our friendship, cute! It’s really cool and it’s on a pretty hill overlooking the bluffs, but can definitely be a quick stop on your day trip. I was just as fascinated by the basketball court on the other side of the park - the most insane view for a game of bball
Crafted at the Port of LA - A massive hall filled with small business craft-makers, open year-round! Super cute and great for gifts. There’s also a rad brewery across the way!
On My List to Try Next Time
West Harbor - Opening January 2025, West Harbor is a 42-acre waterfront food extravaganza! Excited to get here in Q1 ‘25
The Chori-Man - I’ve heard great things, need to come back for a burrito! (Maybe when I’m a tad hungover? :)) Next to Colossus
What did I miss?? Let me know what I should add to my next San Pedro day trip itinerary by replying directly to this email or dropping a comment on Substack! See you next time xoxo