Maritime Museum
Berth 84 at the foot of 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731   Info: 310- 548-7618 
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Photo ©  Debbie Stock 

A soft, blue Public Works Administration (WPA) "Streamlined Moderne" facility was built in 1941 as the base for an auto ferry which crossed the channel at regular intervals from San Pedro to a sister building on Terminal  Island. It served the Navy, fishing industry employees and those wishing to avoid a long route through Wilmington and Long Beach. With the completion of the Vincent Thomas Bridge in 1963, ferry operations ceased and the building became an office for the Harbor Department.  California Museums

 

The restored building now  houses the largest maritime museum in California. This 75,000 square foot facility features more than 700 ship and boat models,  navigational equipment and an operating amateur radio station. Exhibits  include Native American artifacts relating to the sea, ship figureheads, maritime arts and crafts and an 18-foot scale model of the Titanic. Historical exhibits of the whaling industry, tall ships, commercial shipping, the Navy, the Merchant Marine and recreational sailing. 

 

Try your hand at tying any of the 64 types of seaman's knots on display and grab the wheel of a 19th-century sailing ship. Classes on include topics such as small boat handling and ship model  building. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM (confirm before going)