San Pedro from a San Pedran

Have been reading the thread ... so much great information. We have stayed in San Pedro at the Doubletree a few times and once at a small hotel next to The Grinder by the port where you board. Won't recommend that hotel ... but The Grinder restaurant next door was good and reasonable prices (like a Denny's - Village Inn).

A number of people have mentioned the aquarium. I never realized one existed there. Knew about the one in Long Beach (it's wonderful), but now will have to check out this one too.

http://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org/visit-cma.asp

Probably many people wanting to see the Long Beach Grand Prix booked rooms in San Pedro (close enough not to be a long drive' date=' far enough not to be caught in traffic getting in and out of their hotel). It's April 13-15.

 

Not sure what else is going on, but maybe there's also some conventions.[/quote']

 

I tried google and have written the Chamber of Commerce, but so far no response. Does anyone know the dates for the Grand Prix in 2014???

 

Thanks.

We just used Amtrak out of LA -- nobody goes there!!

BEST limo service in San Pedro is Airport Escort Service, ops@airportescortservice.com

They picked us up at Union Station - handled all our luggage, etc - and the driver gave us a "tour" as we were driving through LA to San Pedro. Highly recommend them.

How far (time wise) is it from San Pedro to Union Station? We are going on a Princess Coastal cruise then down to San Diego for a few days before we return.

When I booked my flight for my Princess Cruise, I thought LGB was much closer to the San Pedro terminal. But it's not. Oh well, at least I won't have to deal with the confusion of LAX and the paparazzi.;)

 

Is there a public transportation option from the airport to the ship, that won't take hours?

 

Once I am at the terminal, is there any kind of grocery store within walking distance?

 

What about the trolley? Is that within walking distance to the cruise terminal? And does that stop near any grocery store?

 

And lastly, on our return we will have several hours before we catch our flight. Is there a place we can drop our luggage and visit Ports of Call, or will we have drop our bags at LGB and from there find amusement?

I wouldn't recommend taking public buses to get to the port. The local so-called rapid transit is really designed for residents who don't have a car to get to work or otherwise get around. If you try to get aboard a crowded bus with luggage, there won't be anyplace to stash it and your fellow bus riders will be totally peeved. If you are looking for a low cast alternative to getting a taxi, look to Super Shuttle.

But seriously, consider getting into LA a day before and stay overnight at a hotel in San Pedro. Some will have a shuttle to the port the next morning, or it's a small fee to catch a taxi. You won't have to worry about same day flights getting cancelled. Plus, if you want to get some beverages or other things for your cruise once you're here, you can do that the afternoon before your cruise.

I tried google and have written the Chamber of Commerce, but so far no response. Does anyone know the dates for the Grand Prix in 2014???

 

Thanks.

I tried the Long Beach website and a search on April 2014 events came up blank for me. And when I tried to click on the grand prix website, I got a warning that there's a problem with viruses, so I immediately gave that up. If you do find find out that you've booked a cruise around the time of the Grand Prix (I think it's usually around mid-April), just make sure to book a hotel as soon as possible. It really may not impact your cruise otherwise (just harder to find a hotel room in the area and if you're going to take a Carnival cruise, just plan to leave earlier than usual that morning).

I tried the Long Beach website and a search on April 2014 events came up blank for me. And when I tried to click on the grand prix website' date=' I got a warning that there's a problem with viruses, so I immediately gave that up. If you do find find out that you've booked a cruise around the time of the Grand Prix (I think it's usually around mid-April), just make sure to book a hotel as soon as possible. It really may not impact your cruise otherwise (just harder to find a hotel room in the area and if you're going to take a Carnival cruise, just plan to leave earlier than usual that morning).[/quote']

 

Thanks Patty ... we would be going out of San Pedro on Princess on April 26th. I know from past experiences coming into the Long Beach airport that Friday was not a problem. But many that were in the group on that cruise couldn't get convenient hotels because they all were booked up and they hadn't tried to book in very far in advance. Definitely plan to book way ahead of time to guarantee we get what we want. It's also the weekend after Easter that year, so may impact the hotels too.

If a cruise ship uses the cruise ship dock on the main channel they will have three 16 inch guns facing it, basically the bow of the cruise ship would be at the stern of the Iowa.:eek:

it would be a cool picture from the cruise ship.:cool:

but I think most use the side dock.;)

Will the USS Iowa's new permanent home be within a walking distance of where Princess ships are berthed? We have an October California Coastal cruise and I'm sure DH would like to tour the Iowa, either on embarkation or debarkation day.

 

Thanks!

We will be staying at the Crowne Plaza, what would be the best way to get to the USS IOWA. We will be there on a tuesday & wednesday

It is a 5 minute walk from the San Pedro Crown Plaza or a 1 minute drive the USS Iowa is at Harbor Blvd at 5th street it is at the cruise ship terminal can't miss it big and Grey, 887 feet long with lots of big guns all around it :eek:, if you get off the 110 freeway at Harbor blvd to get to the hotel you will pass by it. I volunteer on the Iowa and will be there on that Wednesday most likely.

We will be staying at the Crowne Plaza, what would be the best way to get to the USS IOWA. We will be there on a tuesday & wednesday

Thanks for the info. I served on the USS Lowry DD770, and want to see what one of the BIG BOY's look like on board

Hello, we are planning a cruise from the san padro pier. I was looking

for a hotel there near the terminal. looking at either the Crown Plaza on S. Palos Verdes St. or the San Padro Inn & Suites on Gaffy & 1st. st but I hear that is a very unsafe area. anyone know for sure. what are your

suggestions for a pre-cruise hotel in San Pedro?

thank you :)

There's a large and current thread on this board about San Pedro. The city is not unsafe at all; you're probably hearing about how it was decades ago. Yes it's a port city and pretty industrial but use the common sense you would in any city and you will be fine. The Crowne Plaza is frequently used by cruise passengers and there's a ton of info, reviews, and Priceline bidding strategies on this board.

You might check sister website http://www.tripadvisor.com for recommendations and reviews of hotels, restaurants, and things to do in San Pedro.

BTW, note the correct spelling of the city.

We just stayed at the Crown Plaza pre-cruise in April.

We left our car parked there for $12 per day, and took their shuttle bus to and from the ship.

Relatively painless--no waiting.

There is a small restaurant a couple of blocks away on the main street where we ate. Can't remember the name. We tried the free continental breakfast buffet in the hotel, but I didn't like it. The others did though.

The Crown is nice. Our other option was Doubletree.

Pat

DW and I have stayed at the Crowne Plaza several times pre- and post-cruise and have reservations for this coming October/November. They offer shuttle service to/from the terminal, the hotel staff have been friendly, and there are nearby restaurants. If you enjoy Mexican food, we believe that the Green Onion Mexican Restaurant down the street from the Crowne Plaza offers a good meal at reasonable prices.

The Crowne Plaza is a 3.5 star hotel on Priceline. If you are not familiar with bidding on Priceline for San Pedro, the following post helped me get started: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=23592901&highlight=san+pedro#post23592901.

There has been some recent discussion regarding Priceline bid prices for San Pedro at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1674300.

.

How far (time wise) is it from San Pedro to Union Station? We are going on a Princess Coastal cruise then down to San Diego for a few days before we return.

Standard answer...Depends on the time of day. I picked up some friends from Union staion and brought them back to San Pedro...but it was in the evening, after rush hour. We made it back in about 40 minutes. SP to Union Station is a pretty easy drive and Union Station is right off the freeway. Guesstimate that if you're heading to LA between 6am - 9am or 4pm - 7pm give yourself at least 90 minutes...and beware of Dodger Baseball, USC Football, Laker/Clipper/Kings at Staples or a concert at Nokia Live...that will add to the traffic, too.

Standard answer...Depends on the time of day. I picked up some friends from Union staion and brought them back to San Pedro...but it was in the evening, after rush hour. We made it back in about 40 minutes. SP to Union Station is a pretty easy drive and Union Station is right off the freeway. Guesstimate that if you're heading to LA between 6am - 9am or 4pm - 7pm give yourself at least 90 minutes...and beware of Dodger Baseball, USC Football, Laker/Clipper/Kings at Staples or a concert at Nokia Live...that will add to the traffic, too.

Thanks. It would be in the am on a Saturday when we get off the ship. Thinking of taking the train to San Diego for a few days after the cruise.

what is the better hotel to stay at in San Pedro, the CP or DT.

safe area to walk around? things to see & places to walk to??

overall nice hotel???

thank you,

Thanks. It would be in the am on a Saturday when we get off the ship. Thinking of taking the train to San Diego for a few days after the cruise.

If you are taking Amtrak, your best option may be to pick up the Amtrak Thruway bus in San Pedro and then connect with the Pacific Surfliner train at Union Station. My understanding is that the bus to train connection is "guaranteed" which means Amtrak will be responsible for getting you to your destination.

An odd thing about Amtrak in California is that it is sometimes less expensive to buy points in the Amtrak Guest Rewards program than to buy a ticket. Unlike free seats on airlines, Amtrak has no capacity limits for free tickets in coach and they are fully refundable. The current one way price on the Pacific Surfliner, no matter the distance, is 1,500 AGR points, and those points can be purchased for $41.25.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

If you are taking Amtrak, your best option may be to pick up the Amtrak Thruway bus in San Pedro and then connect with the Pacific Surfliner train at Union Station. My understanding is that the bus to train connection is "guaranteed" which means Amtrak will be responsible for getting you to your destination.

 

An odd thing about Amtrak in California is that it is sometimes less expensive to buy points in the Amtrak Guest Rewards program than to buy a ticket. Unlike free seats on airlines, Amtrak has no capacity limits for free tickets in coach and they are fully refundable. The current one way price on the Pacific Surfliner, no matter the distance, is 1,500 AGR points, and those points can be purchased for $41.25.

 

Best of luck -- Suzanne

Thanks for the information. Will check it out. We use to live a couple of hours from the port, but love riding the train. We have gone roundtrip to WA from Burbank numerous time. Here in AZ no trains close by, so it is drive or fly if we want to go somewhere.

what is the better hotel to stay at in San Pedro, the CP or DT.

safe area to walk around? things to see & places to walk to??

overall nice hotel???

 

thank you,

First, we have never stayed at the Crowne Plaza. I have allergies and they use lavender scented products in the rooms. I know many state they cannot smell the lavender, but trust me it is one of those things I can't to be around.

We have stayed at the Doubletree numerous times. Very nice hotel, good food, and right on the marina. The hotel has a shuttle to take you to the ship. Last time we were there, they even offered to take us to the shops etc. We called the driver when we were ready to come back. Worked out great. It is less than 10 minutes to the pier and Ports of Call etc.

We also stayed at a hotel next to The Grinder (like a Denny's & is down from the Crowne), but I wouldn't recommend that hotel at all. Rooms were not maintained. We had to wait for our rooms (not cleaned yet). We asked to use the restroom - was told there was one by the lobby and that they were locked except during breakfast hours (they serve a free breakfast) and only the kitchen/cleaning people had the key .... WHAT!!!! So bizarre. Now I understand not allowing people off the street to use them, but a paying guest!!! Don't remember the name of that hotel, just know we won't stay there again. They also messed up our reservations. Our TA (he had a group going) was promised one rate and when we got there we were charged a completely different rate (it was about $25 a night higher). The TA was with us, but couldn't convince them no matter what. So we all ended up paying the higher rate ... no other choice.

We also stayed at a hotel next to The Grinder (like a Denny's & is down from the Crowne), but I wouldn't recommend that hotel at all. Rooms were not maintained. We had to wait for our rooms (not cleaned yet). We asked to use the restroom - was told there was one by the lobby and that they were locked except during breakfast hours (they serve a free breakfast) and only the kitchen/cleaning people had the key .... WHAT!!!! So bizarre. Now I understand not allowing people off the street to use them, but a paying guest!!! Don't remember the name of that hotel, just know we won't stay there again. They also messed up our reservations. Our TA (he had a group going) was promised one rate and when we got there we were charged a completely different rate (it was about $25 a night higher). The TA was with us, but couldn't convince them no matter what. So we all ended up paying the higher rate ... no other choice.

I believe that was the Sunrise. It was once a Best Western, but now I think it's an independent.

I believe that was the Sunrise. It was once a Best Western, but now I think it's an independent.

That does sound familiar. It could of been that hotel. Pretty sure it wasn't a Best Western when we stayed there.

If a cruise ship uses the cruise ship dock on the main channel they will have three 16 inch guns facing it, basically the bow of the cruise ship would be at the stern of the Iowa.:eek:

it would be a cool picture from the cruise ship.:cool:

but I think most use the side dock.;)

This made a funny visual.....but this morning the Sun Princess is here and she is aft to bow of the Iowa. The folks in the aft cabins had a great point of view when they opened their balcony doors!

Sun Princess at the sterm of USS Iowa http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/622558_10151156738347269_1126365586_o.jpg

Sun Princess at the sterm of USS Iowa http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/622558_10151156738347269_1126365586_o.jpg

THANK YOU ! Great shot!:D:D

See how close the cruise ship dock is to the Iowa. Walking distance.