Central San Pedro - San Pedro, CA

Initially the homeland of the Tonga-Gabrieleno Native American tribe, the Spanish used the area for their ships in the 1540s. Named after St. Peter of Alexandria, the city consolidated with Los Angeles in 1909.

Every year, the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro plays host to the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival & Cthulhu Con, a convention that celebrates the master of the weird and includes panels, reading, art and films in the horror genre.

Each September, the Port of Los Angeles puts on a Lobster Festival, featuring music, food and fun. Fresh lobster is flown in daily and comes with coleslaw, potatoes and buttery dipping sauce.

To learn more about San Pedro’s maritime history, visit the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in Los Angeles Harbor. Some other area attractions include the U.S.S. Iowa, the S.S. Lane Victory and the Muller House Museum.

For restaurants and nightlife, Central San Pedro is the place to be, with a wide selection of popular eateries and local hangouts. The San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant serves a variety of fresh seafood flavored with its special seasoning. Additionally, you can try various specials, including chicken verdi from its Mexican dinner lineup, chicken marsala from its Italian offerings or one of many other seasonal dinners.

Another area favorite, J. Trani’s Ristorante, serves a variety of Italian fare, including spaghetti and meatballs, linguini in red clam sauce, and rigatoni with beef stew. Or try out The Whale & Ale for food and fun. This establishment serves a wide selection of British food, including crab cakes, homemade soups, sandwiches and English pub fare, such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and more.

For nightlife, few places compare to Godmother’s Saloon. With live music on the weekends and a good selection of drinks throughout the week, this dive bar embodies the vibe of the downtown San Pedro area.

Visitors can easily get around Central San Pedro by foot, bike, taxi or public transportation. In addition to an abundance of sidewalks, Central San Pedro also has many bike lanes, making this city pedestrian and cyclist friendly. Residents and visitors can also ride the Metro local bus line.

Taxis and car services, such as Uber, are available in the San Pedro area. If you drive your own car, San Pedro has a wide selection of parking garages and lots. Freeways, including the 110 and 710, are easily accessible via neighborhood streets.

For outdoor activities, San Pedro has a number of parks that you can visit. One of the most popular, Point Fermin Park, hosts the annual Shakespeare by the Sea Festival during the summer months. The park also features 37 acres of tree-shaded lawns and colorful gardens set along the top of rugged bluffs overlooking the ocean. Park patrons can use the picnic areas for family gatherings or let the kids romp in the playground. This pet-friendly park is free to the public, and it opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, so you can spend the whole day enjoying the outdoors.

Locals also spend time at the 22nd Street Park, originally opened during redevelopment of waterfront properties in San Pedro. The park features 18 acres filled with biking and walking trails, all with a water view, and the park is dog friendly, so Fido can join in the outdoor fun. The park is located across from the 22nd Street Landing, where you can find restaurants and take the Red Car line of the Pacific Electric Railway up and down Central San Pedro’s waterfront district. The Red Car line costs only $1 to ride from 12 noon to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The cost of living in Central San Pedro is about even with the rest of the greater Los Angeles area. A one-bedroom apartment rents for an average of about $1,035.79 a month. To take public transportation from Central San Pedro to the downtown L.A. area costs around $2, and a beer in a local bar runs about $3 to $4. The price of a gallon of gasoline costs about 10 percent more than the national average.

Some of the most popular shopping destinations are located in the Central San Pedro area. Local establishments such as Holiday Carroll's Gift Boutique, features a variety of novelty and holiday gifts for both him and her, make shopping in this area a unique experience. Another great shop, Curiosities ~ Unique Boutique sells a variety of vintage items, including jewelry, nautical-themed curios and furniture. In addition to San Pedro's downtown area, check out the Ports O' Call, a tourist destination built back in 1963. The Ports O' Call area features a range of shopping and eating venues, including waterfront restaurants and a permanent craft marketplace called Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. Central San Pedro residents do much of their everyday grocery shopping at Vons, a Southern California-based grocery, produce and general item store. If you prefer a neighborhood grocery store, visit Top Valu Market, an independent grocery chain with a convenient selection. Sprouts Farmers Market is the place to visit when you want farm-fresh produce and a variety of locally sourced meats and dairy.