Sleep by the ship
Flying in the day before your cruise, or landing early on the way home? Spend the night in San Pedro and the ship is minutes away. While the Vincent Thomas Bridge is closed, it also saves a cross-harbor drive on sailing morning.
Honest recommendations from people who live here. Every hotel in town is on our Lodging page.
San Pedro's largest hotel: a 10-story tower with 244 rooms, a pool and a free shuttle to the cruise terminal. Downtown restaurants are a few minutes' walk away.
Rooms are on the older side. Ask for a high floor facing the harbor and watch the ships come in.
See it on our Lodging page →A quiet waterfront setting by Cabrillo Marina and the beach, with a shuttle to the cruise terminal. Reserve your seat the night before.
The building is dated, but the marina walks are lovely.
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A simple independent motel with renovated rooms, close to the 110 freeway and a short rideshare to the ship.
Check rates →SanPedro.com may earn a commission when you book through this link.
Drop your bags and get your bearings. At the Crowne Plaza, downtown is right outside the door.
Take a 10-minute rideshare south to Point Fermin Park, home of the 1874 Point Fermin Lighthouse, or up the hill to the Korean Bell of Friendship for views across to Catalina. The Bell grounds close at 7 pm, so on summer evenings watch from Point Fermin Park or along Paseo del Mar.
A short walk from the Crowne Plaza. Our favorites are below, from century-old Italian to small plates.
All dinner spots →Colossus Bread on Harbor Boulevard has fresh pastries, an all-day kitchen and a port-side patio a few minutes from the ship.
The Iowa opens at 10 am, Thursday to Monday, about a 10-minute walk from the terminal, with lockers for your bags. Check your boarding window first; many ships start boarding in the late morning.
About the Iowa →Take your hotel shuttle or a quick rideshare to the World Cruise Center at 100 Swinford St.
Terminal and parking tips →Store your luggage at the Battleship Iowa, about a 10-minute walk from the terminal (opens at 10 am, Thursday to Monday).
About the Iowa →Spend an hour and a half aboard the Iowa, or stroll the harbor promenade.
About 10 minutes south along the water. Order a shrimp tray and eat by the harbor.
About the Fish Market →LAX is about 30 minutes away up the 110 without traffic. If you are going to Long Beach or Orange County, allow extra time while the bridge is closed.
Routes during the closure →All within about a 10-minute walk of the Crowne Plaza.
A San Pedro institution for nearly a century, for a proper sit-down dinner.
Creative tapas-style plates such as ceviche and oysters, made for sharing.
A friendly English pub with fish 'n' chips and curry.
A downtown wine bistro for a relaxed evening.