San Pedro from a San Pedran

[KreinKrunker]

Is there some place close we might be able to get to

 

Try "Off the Vine" at Sixth and Pacific, not too far from the hotel. I have heard that they even deliver to the hotel.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Ok I am starting to panic. :eek:

 

I need 2 rooms in San Pedro for April 13, 2012. Both CP and DT websites say they are full.

 

Priceline says they have 3 rooms left at $177. per room per night. I would pay the price to get a room tho'.

 

Seriously, they are BOOKED ??

 

Pat

 

Probably many people wanting to see the Long Beach Grand Prix booked rooms in San Pedro (close enough not to be a long drive, 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.

[Wineaux]

Any further word when the USS Iowa might arrive?

 

Late December or early January. It would be in port now but they need to do some work on the outside and the local pollution laws prohibit them from doing the work in Los Angeles.

[Jimsgirl]

For hospvol

 

When you return from your October stay at Crowne Plaza San Pedro, will you please beso kind as to e mail me a report of your evaluation of your stay at the hotel, particularly where you ate locally (within short walk or at hotel)

 

I have asked my agent to book me into the hotel for Feb cruise on QV, I travel solo and am senior in age, so I do like to know what to expect. I will be flying into LAX from Florida and I expect to take a limo out to the hotel,as I have not been able to get reliable info re shuttles or cabs.

 

Thank you

[DMRick]

The Crowne is very convenient. We take Super Shuttle (I got a coupon off the internet for $3, so the price is $14 plus tip) from the airport to the hotel. There are several places to eat in the area. Just up the road is a pub (San Pedro Brewing Compy) and down the road is a Mexican restaurant. There are several more withing a couple of blocks.

The shuttle in the morning, to our cruise is free compliments of the Crowne.

For hospvol

 

When you return from your October stay at Crowne Plaza San Pedro, will you please beso kind as to e mail me a report of your evaluation of your stay at the hotel, particularly where you ate locally (within short walk or at hotel)

 

I have asked my agent to book me into the hotel for Feb cruise on QV, I travel solo and am senior in age, so I do like to know what to expect. I will be flying into LAX from Florida and I expect to take a limo out to the hotel,as I have not been able to get reliable info re shuttles or cabs.

 

Thank you

[hello]

We have also stayed at the Crowne Plaza (via a Priceline win of $55) and will be staying there again May 2012 (with a Priceline win of $65). The hotel was great with the shuttle to the pier. There was a Friday "Framers Market" on the same street/or one street over, that was fun to walk through -- not sure when it starts.

 

There was a diner/coffee shop (old type coffee shop -- not Starbucks type) which was called Grinders (http://grinderrestaurants.com) -- and it was very good and reasonable. It was just a short walk from the hotel on the same street. We also walked down to Ports O' Call to Acapulco's (http://www.acapulcorestaurants.com/map.aspx?locationID=24) for guacamole -- it was great. This was 1 1/2 years ago, and while there were a lot of shops there -- not many were open. This was a walk, and it was warm -- it looked a lot closer than it actually was.

 

There has been mention of a Crowne Plaza shuttle to local places -- but there was no mention of it while we were there.

 

There is a trolley that we will be looking forward to in May -- (http://www.railwaypreservation.com/page8.html) and it says it also goes by some other restaurants in San Pedro.

 

We use Supershuttle also ... but sometime the airport/travel time can be a bit long. They will wait and try to fill their vans before they leave --- and we do not blame them for that, as you do know ahead of time that it is/can be a shared van. The price, however, can not be beat. We have never taken a limousine (on our bucket list for sure!!) but I would search Cruise Critic for websites -- I believe people have used sites that arrange for a limo at a "discounted" price.

 

Have a great time!

[Cruisin' Chick]

To answer your question... YES!

 

NOT having convenient luggage storage ~ AND the ridiculous price of tickets to Catalina Island and back ~ is the #1 reason we are now staying near LAX.

 

Do you mean that you're planning to just go straight to the airport to get a flight that day or that you're getting a hotel room near the airport for your post-cruise stay?

[Sunny AZ Girl]

We have also stayed at the Crowne Plaza (via a Priceline win of $55) and will be staying there again May 2012 (with a Priceline win of $65). The hotel was great with the shuttle to the pier. There was a Friday "Framers Market" on the same street/or one street over, that was fun to walk through -- not sure when it starts.

That is a great Priceline win so far in advance! I am also considering Priceline for our May 2012 cruise. What star level did you bid?

[Wineaux]

Here are my recs for dining in Downtown San Pedro:

 

7th Street Chophouse (steakhouse)

http://www.7thstreetchophouse.com/live/

 

Beach City Grill (eclectic)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/beach-city-grill-san-pedro

 

Raffaello's (Italian)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/raffaello-ristorante-san-pedro

 

San Pedro Brewing Company (eclectic)

http://sanpedrobrewing.com/

 

Neil's (Italian)

http://www.neilspasta.com/Info.html

 

Think Cafe (eclectic)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/think-cafe-san-pedro

 

Porky's BBQ

http://www.yelp.com/biz/porkys-bbq-san-pedro

 

Alcapulco's (Mexican)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/acapulco-mex...tina-san-pedro

 

Whale and Ale (English Pub)

http://www.whaleandale.com/

 

Mishi's Strudel

http://www.mishisstrudel.com/

 

A few of these restaurants have special "corkage" deals. Just call to see what they are!!

 

Welcome to San Peeeedro!!

Edited October 5, 2011 by Wineaux

[Putterdude]

We have stayed at the Crowne Plaza as recently as May. We usually pick it up on Priceline bidding at a number between $65 and $75. I think it has been the victim of the recession and to many $65 room nights...unless it has had some work done to it over the last few months, it is a getting a little threadbare. Having said that there is certainly nothing wrong with it and it is still an excellent value for a night pre or post cruise, the rooms and public areas are just getting a little tired. The free shuttle that used to take you anywhere within 5 miles of the hotel is no more... but the free shuttle to and from the cruise terminal is still offered.

[hello]

Sunny AZ Girl, I believe it is 3 1/2* -- of course I started at $50 and wasn't accepted until I reached $65. If you have never used Priceline before, you will want to check out http://www.betterbidding.com -- great information on HOW to bid -- they also have listings of recent wins. I know, I know -- everyone says that I bid WAAAAAY to early --- but we were burned once by waiting too long. However, if I my top limit bid is not accepted -- in this case it was $65 -- I just wait a few days, and then rebid at the same prices. I also make a regular hotel reservation, as soon as we book a cruise, that can be cancelled... then if I win a Priceline bid, I cancel the regular hotel reservation -- just make sure that the hotel has no cancellation fees.

 

I seem to remember people winning Doubletree on Priceline, which is also a 3 1/2* -- it also gets good reviews.

 

Wineaux -- thank you so much -- I love all of your hints and suggestions -- we used some last time, and will do so again this spring -- the San Pedro Brewing Co.

 

Putterdude -- now I feel better knowing that we won't be missing a perk at the Crowne Plaza ... and for all the information we learned from you regarding Vancouver!

Edited October 6, 2011 by hello

[sassyredhat]

My bid on PL for the CP was rejected at $95. I ended up paying alot more to get 2 of the only 3 rooms left. :(

What I didn't remember, is the Toyota Grand Prix is April 13th each year, and that's why there are no hotels left on that date.

Pat

[PatriciaF]

My bid on PL for the CP was rejected at $95. I ended up paying alot more to get 2 of the only 3 rooms left. :(

 

What I didn't remember, is the Toyota Grand Prix is April 13th each year, and that's why there are no hotels left on that date.

 

Pat

 

 

It's not always on the 13th--usually it is the second weekend in April (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.)

[Jimsgirl]

My agent booked me into Crowne Plaza for one night Feb 27th 2012, solo occupancy with king size bed prepaid $139.

 

She has still not yet arranged for transport LAX to Hotel, says that including tips will most likely cost me $90 (Since I travel alone and am in my mid 80's waiting for shuttle and then stopping here there and everytwhere, is stressful for me)

 

How far to walk is Grinders , assume it is something like Denny"s here in FL.?

 

Please has anyone on this thread used Grinders for either "supper" (dinner) or breakfast

 

Thank you for all information

 

Lynn

[hello]

Hi Lynn,

 

This is a website with reviews of Grinders: http://www.yelp.com/biz/grinder-restaurants-san-pedro-2. I agree with you that it seemed like a Denny's to me --- but MUCH friendlier waitresses! The staff was so pleasant that (I know I shouldn't say this) it was almost a shock. We went in for breakfast. This is the menu from their website: http://www.grinderrestaurants.com/menu.html.

 

 

Here are the walking directions from the Crowne Plaza to Grinders from Google Maps: (they also had a easy to read map of the route --- unfortunately I couldn't copy it onto here --- but you can go to Google Maps --- use Crowne Plaza, San Pedro as the "A" destination, and Grinders, San Pedro as the "B" destination -- chose walking directions from the icons above "A".

 

 

W 6th St and S Harbor Blvd

Walking directions to Grinder 0.2 mi., 4 min.

 

Crowne Plaza Hotel Los Angeles Harbor Hotel

601 South Palos Verdes Street

San Pedro, CA 90731

1. Head east on W 6th St toward S Palos Verdes St

453 ft

2. Turn left onto S Harbor Blvd

Destination will be on the left

0.1 mi

 

Grinder

511 South Harbor Boulevard

San Pedro, CA 90731-3335

 

 

There seems to be a variety of "nicer" restaurants in the area. You might want to check with the hotel -- we're using Wineaux's list next spring. I wonder if some of these may also deliver to the hotel -- otherwise a short cab ride would probably be better.

Edited October 7, 2011 by hello

[PatriciaF]

My agent booked me into Crowne Plaza for one night Feb 27th 2012, solo occupancy with king size bed prepaid $139.

 

She has still not yet arranged for transport LAX to Hotel, says that including tips will most likely cost me $90 (Since I travel alone and am in my mid 80's waiting for shuttle and then stopping here there and everytwhere, is stressful for me)

 

How far to walk is Grinders , assume it is something like Denny"s here in FL.?

 

Please has anyone on this thread used Grinders for either "supper" (dinner) or breakfast

 

Thank you for all information

 

Lynn

 

The Grinder in San Pedro is probably the last operating diner of the former "The Grinder" chain. From my memory, they were generally better than Denny's. If you are concerned about walking, just eat at the hotel.

 

Sign up for the shuttle to the port when you check into the hotel so you know exactly when you need to be ready to get on it.

 

If you don't want to use a shared shuttle and are concerned about high taxi fare, check out execucar by supershuttle. It offers a service where it picks you up when you call for $55 from LAX to San Pedro Crowne Plaza (plus tip.) If you want someone holding a sign for you by baggage claim, it is $83 (plus tip.) Book at www.supershuttle.com

[DMRick]

 

Sign up for the shuttle to the port when you check into the hotel so you know exactly when you need to be ready to get on it.

Sign up, but don't expect to just come down at your time and get on. People line up and it's first come first serve, no matter what time you signed up for. It doesn't take long to get everyone there.

[Jimsgirl]

Thank you Hullo

 

Your posting was "just what I needed"

 

I have written out the walking directions, and also picked out breakfast from the Grinders menu

 

Have also made note of your advice re the shuttle from hotel to the ship. I might decide to get a cab, since I have a mobility problem.

 

I know that the Crowne Plaza cannot be compared with The Fairmont Miramar,(Santa Monica) but the price of the Crowne and the cost of eating will be appreciated by my wallet!

 

Lynn

[hello]

DMRick, that is exactly what happened to us last time ... they had assigned us a certain time ... and there was a line when we came downstairs 15 min. before our time. You are right that the lined moved quickly ... only they ended up putting us on the Princess shuttle by mistake, rather than the NCL shuttle ... a free tour of the cruise port!!

 

Lynn, there were chairs/benches to sit on in the lobby --- I am sure one of the bellmen would be able to help you. Again, we were there 1 1/2 years ago, at that time they were using the small "airport hotel shuttle" buses ... if that makes any sense ... 1 - 2 steps up.

 

Lynn, I also emailed the Crowne Plaza yesterday, inquiring about their "free area shuttle" -- which they STILL list on their website ... so with a grain of salt I will tell you ... they emailed me back saying: "Good afternoon we do have a shuttle but it’s based upon availability please check with them on the day of your arrival." Again, when we were there last time they made NO MENTION of it at all, even when we asked for directions to certain places without a car. I think "availability" is the key.

[Wineaux]

The Grinder is OK. Certainly nothing spectacular but it's kinda hard to mess up breakfast. The Happy Diner opened up on Centre Street between 6th and 7th streets (where Nosh used to be) and is much better but, it is uphill so that might be an issue for you. IF you don't expect much The Grinder will be just fine.

 

I forgot to mention our new Thai restaurant Barrammee that opened in the old 6th Street Bistro location on 6th street. Highly recommend. AND, a new greek place is moving into the old Papdakis restaurant which closed a few years back. It is supposed to be moderately priced compared to Papadakis. No estimated time as to when they will be open at this time.

[trikeman]

I've heard that Von's was a good place to pick up wine for the cruise. Do they have a good variety of wines and one person on our rollcall wanted to know about box wines? Is there some where else we should consider or will Von's take care of our wine needs?

 

Thank you

[eyegirl]

are there any restaurants near the doubletree...within walking distance (both for dinner and breakfast)?

[Wineaux]

are there any restaurants near the doubletree...within walking distance (both for dinner and breakfast)?

 

22nd Street Landing (steak and seafood) or Maria's (Mexican) for dinner and Rex's Cafe for breakfast

[Jimsgirl]

I have found this posting very informative and helpful, it has really been very good. and I thank everyone who has contributed.

 

I will continue to read this "space"

 

Best wishes to all wherever you may travel

 

Lynn

[Wineaux]

Not sure how widely shown this is but here is a 10 minute promo for the San Pedro area. Enjoy!!