Between Santa Monica & Long Beach Is California's Coastal Town With A Fun, New Harbor

The Los Angeles area is widely known as an entertainment mecca with thrilling theme parks, miles of beaches, renowned dining, and even several nearby ski resorts. Along with the most popular attractions is a secret neighborhood nestled between Santa Monica and Long Beach with plenty to see and do — and more on the way. About 25 miles south of Downtown LA, the neighborhood of San Pedro is undergoing a major transformation, adding a unique entertainment hotspot along the LA Waterfront, which is slated to open in phases between the summer of 2026 and 2027.

While San Pedro has a "City Hall" building, it's technically part of Los Angeles and developed as part of the city's port. For decades, San Pedro was a working-class neighborhood associated with cargo and shipbuilding, though it has transformed from a gritty port into an artsy, creative part of Los Angeles that retains an independent vibe. Visitors will find decades of unique music and military history, and a reflection of the area's culture is on full display throughout the neighborhood. San Pedro hosts major community events for the Fourth of July, Día de los Muertos, and its First Thursday Artwalk each month, and it will be thrust into the world spotlight when it hosts World Cup watch parties as an official "FIFA Fan Zone" in July 2026, as well as during several sailing events for the LA 2028 Summer Olympics.

San Pedro sits between two LA-area airports: mega hub LAX and low-key Long Beach Airport, one of the most efficient and traveler-friendly airports in the country. Both airports are about 20 miles away. If you're driving down for the day, you'll find several free and low-cost parking lots, along with a free trolley looping around the area. 

While much of LA is car dependent, San Pedro's new West Harbor waterfront district will put pedestrians and boats front and center. After several years and hundreds of millions of dollars in development, the 42-acre area is becoming a showpiece for tourists and locals alike to relax and spend the day enjoying the Southern California sun. The mile-long promenade will feature a 6,200-seat amphitheater, eateries, pickleball courts, and the giant 175-foot West Harbor Wheel, taller than Santa Monica Pier's iconic Ferris wheel. The waterfront will officially open once the Ferris wheel and other amusement rides are completed in late 2026 or early 2027.

Before the official opening, several restaurants are slated to bring global flavors to the LA Waterfront. One of the first restaurants to open along West Harbor was the San Pedro Fish Market & Restaurant, which has been in San Pedro for decades and was featured on the docudrama series "Kings of Fi$h." The restaurant's new home at The Landing features plenty of tables to enjoy the sea breeze, as well as the restaurant's "world famous" shrimp tray. Other future restaurants along West Harbor will include Tacos El Franc, featured on the Netflix series "Taco Chronicles," and the second branch of Yamashiro, a Japanese restaurant in Hollywood. 

You'll also be surrounded by nautical vibes along the LA Waterfront. Aside from cruise ships and commercial ships passing, you'll see the Battleship USS Iowa, which has been transformed into an immersive history museum that is highly acclaimed by visitors on Google Maps and Tripadvisor. If you're looking to get out on the water yourself, you have a few options: Harbor Breeze Cruises provides whale watching and West Harbor tours, and the Los Angeles Maritime Institute hosts sailing classes as well as monthly sunset sail events.

In addition to the LA waterfront, San Pedro also has another hidden LA gem, Cabrillo Beach. The unique two-sided beach has a calm, inland side and a breakwater side opening toward Santa Catalina Island, with easy entry and waves suitable for surfers of all abilities. Visitors looking for a day of fun in the sun will find picnic tables, concessions, and beach volleyball courts. Once you're ready to wind down the day, the Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse is just steps away and has showers for rinsing off. On the off chance that the weather turns south, the free Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is just feet from the shore and offers attractions that will educate and entertain visitors of all ages. 

San Pedro already has a wide selection of restaurants and bars showcasing its diversity and working-class history, including Italian, Mexican, Thai, seafood, and classic American diners. One of LA's top-rated restaurants on Tripadvisor, Raffaello Ristorante, has served up hearty portions of pasta and Italian dishes for decades. For breakfast, the Pacific Diner whips up classic pancakes and biscuits and gravy as well as a variety of omelets for meat-eaters and ovo-lacto vegetarians. Well-known seafood establishments in San Pedro include the nearly century-old Trani's Dockside Station and 22nd Landing Street, both near the waterfront but not technically part of the new harbor. If you are planning a weekend evening out, reservations are recommended and available on each restaurant's website.

If San Pedro will be your home base for your trip to LA, you'll find a DoubleTree and Crowne Plaza, as well as several budget hotels. Once you've explored all the area has to offer, don't miss visiting California's other top tourist hotspots, many of which are just a short drive across the city.