Prior to a cruise in April, my partner and I will be staying a couple of nights in Los Angeles, before cruising to Mexico out of San Pedro. I know virtually nothing about LA. I'm looking for suggestions of a decent area to stay, and something fun and interesting to do during our free day. I've read that staying in San Pedro or Torrance is convenient, and that would be fine. At the moment I'm figuring on getting a car. Maybe we might enjoy staying somewhere farther from the port, that might enable us to have a more interesting experience. I know this isn't much to go on, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

You could stay in Santa Monica. Check out Venice and Malibu. Or some of the classics in downtown Los Angeles... La Brea Tar Pits, Walk of the Stars, The Grove/Farmer's Market, Fairfax, Melrose, Olvera Street, Chinatown, Griffith Park Observatory, etc.

With only one full day, pick one spot and stick to it—LA traffic will kill your schedule if you try to cross town. Santa Monica and Venice are the perfect combo since you can just walk or bike between them along the coast.

Starting at the Pier and hitting the Venice canals gives you a great mix of vibes without the stress of constant driving. It’s a super chill way to soak up the SoCal sun before your cruise without being glued to a clock.

suze and khrestos thank you for those suggestions! Very helpful, both give us some nice ideas and planning help.

You will be very close to a favorite spot of mine, Rancho Los Alamitos. It is a historic spot and all that is left of one of the largest land grants in history. This is how development of the Los Angeles basin got started. It's a great, super-educational, and enlightening visit.

You're welcome. I grew up there

I will definitely check that out shelemm, thanks!

Which airport are you flying to? The best option for you would be Long Beach (LGB).

If LAX then Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach are close and easy to get to (about a 5-mile drive vs 15 miles to Santa Monica via freeway). You can walk or bike the Strand between those two South Bay beach towns. There are many hotels south of LAX with free parking. You could get in a rental car and be checking in to an El Segundo hotel/motel in 10 minutes. This is all south of LAX, in the direction of the cruise port. (if you go north, Santa Monica or downtown LA then you likely will have traffic and pay parking).

Long Beach Airport is very easy to use. You can get a car there and after returning it just Uber to the port. I can recommend the Ayres Hotel in Seal Beach (it is just off the freeway) but there are many other options. You could go up to LA from there on your free day or visit Long Beach (Queen Mary), Huntington Beach (aka Surf City) and then be relatively close to the San Pedro cruise terminal. Dodger Stadium would be a bit of a hike, but Seal Beach to Anaheim Stadium is a pretty reliable 30-minute drive even for a weekday night game (you would need a jacket in April).

But, depending on your interest and the day of the week, I would suggest going here:



This is one of the best venues of its kind in the world. Expect perfect weather.

San Pedro and Torrance are close to the cruise port, which makes them convenient, but they don’t have many of the usual LA attractions. If you want a more classic LA experience, try staying in Santa Monica, Hollywood, or downtown. That way, you can visit beaches, museums, or see the Hollywood sign, and then drive to the port the next day.

These are great suggestions, and much appreciated!

mrwunrfl, I figured Long Beach would be a better airport option, but I'm using points on Southwest to get to LA, and their options for Long Beach were more difficult and expensive compared to LAX. It was fun trying to figure out what track that was, not knowing LA. Santa Anita? Looks beautiful there and might be a fun outing. Love the idea of the strand between Manhattan and Hermosa, as it would be farther south than Santa Monica - Venice. Would that be less crowded as well? Thanks again.

If you're planning to rent a car, presumably you'd get it when you arrive at LAX. Would your plan be to return it at LAX then use some other transport to the cruise terminal? Otherwise you might be facing a one-way fee for the car.

I think the Manhattan/Hermosa option is a good one. You're close enough to LAX to make the car return easy, and the beachfront environment is fab - "real LA" in my mind. (I grew up in Manhattan Beach so I'm biased.). Have breakfast at Martha's in Hermosa, then walk the carbs off along the Strand (50 feet from Martha's) while you decide what bank to rob so you can afford one of the houses facing the beach.

https://marthashermosabeach.com/

Gardyloo, you grew up in MB??? Aviation or Costa?

smetz1, I live in Manhattan Beach and second Gardyloo's comments, although the town and area have changed A LOT in the past few years. It's still my favorite part of L.A. It's not as crowded as Santa Monica and Venice, but it's very busy on good-weather weekends. If you're coming anytime near Easter/spring break, it will be crowded everywhere.

I can't comment on the one-way car rental, but you should investigate this. I have to think there are many people picking up a car at LAX and boarding a ship in San Pedro, and then vice versa coming off a cruise and needing a car to catch a flight. Maybe no surcharge? If you just wanted to hang out in Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches, you wouldn't need a car. Parking can be tough near the beach (esp. any time around spring break), and Lyft/Uber is easy for short rides at night.

MiCoHi. You probably know that Aviation is no more. My grandkids can choose either MCHS or Redondo based on where they live (N. Redondo) and are leaning toward Redondo. Traitors.

I described Manhattan and Hermosa as "beach towns". Santa Monica is a city. I have never been to SM but imagine it to be more of a zoo. April won't be a busy time at any beach, especially on a weekend. Warm enough to go to the beach but the water will be too cold. I haven't been to MB or HB for decades. MB was an excellent place to live back around 1990 (in the tree section on Poinsettia Ave). MB more upscale and laid back than HB (not a knock). When thinking about The Strand that means Hermosa to me.

I just noticed Jean's comments about MB, so take her advice about what it is like today. Gardyloo mentioned "real LA" beachfront environment. I think part of that is that people actually live there. Higher proportion of locals vs tourists in MB or HB. This is a good thing. Do note that when a beach was suggested to you as a tourist it was Santa Monica, not South Bay. SM is famous enough to be on the international tourist path. South Bay is more on the national tourist route. Here in Seal Beach we get mostly local tourists (like people who live inland and come for the cooler temps). Maybe that is because there is only one hotel where it would be reasonable to walk to the beach and the shops on Main Street (convenient air bnb optionsn in the Old Town though).

Yes! It is SA. Beautiful views, grounds, building. The Great Race Place has live racing in April on Fri, Sat, Sun and the 30th. Free parking and admission on Fridays. You can spend a good bit of time exploring the place. When I mentioned "among best in the world" that was IME as well as what 'they' say. I should go today.

AI Overview
Santa Anita Park's iconic architecture, designed by Gordon B. Kaufmann, blends Art Deco, particularly the sleek Streamline Moderne style, with elements of Colonial Revival, creating a grand, elegant look defined by its green and yellow colors, distinctive friezes, and majestic presence against the San Gabriel Mountains, making it a historic landmark.
Key Architectural Features

• Art Deco & Streamline Moderne: The main grandstand exemplifies this with its horizontal lines, aerodynamic curves (on the rear), steel frame, and tiered seating, reflecting the era's modern design.
• Colonial Revival Elements: The clubhouse features classic details like shuttered windows, string coursing, and urns, adding a touch of traditional stateliness, notes the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary.
• Signature Colors: The buildings are famously painted in Persian Green and Chiffon Yellow, enhancing their unique identity.
• Equestrian Friezes: Architect Chet Phillips designed elaborate friezes with equestrian themes running along the grandstand, inspired by ancient Greek pottery, according to the Arcadia Historical Society and the Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD).

Significance

• Opened in 1934, it established a new standard for elegance in racing venues.
• Recognized for its beauty and historical importance, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sorry to disagree with mrwunrfl, but every beach town will be busy many days in April because of Easter week and Spring Break (with varying dates everywhere). You might miss the worst crowds if your trip is late in the month, but Santa Monica is busy year-round.

Santa Monica and neighboring Venice are (combined) definitely a city... at 125,000+ residents, well more than double the combined population of Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches. Nearly 19 square miles v. 5.5 square miles. Some visitors like the busyness of Santa Monica and the alt-ness of Venice, but some don't like seeing so many homeless encampments while on holiday. With only one day, I wouldn't pick Santa Monica because I'm not a fan but I also wouldn't pick SM/V because it puts you that much farther from the cruise terminal... probably 30 minutes in so-so traffic and longer during rush hour.

Gardyloo, my brother-in-law graduated from Aviation in the early '60s. The school's auditorium is now a performing arts center.

https://aviationhsef.org/

>>Sorry to disagree with mrwunrfl
By all means, do so. You did mention "many days". I guess I was thinking about April vs summer here in SB which is not on the spring break map, AFAIK.

I would never recommend a visit to Hollywood Walk of Fame.

IF there is a charge for a one-way rental drop-off then it might be less than an Uber cost. The problem would then be getting from the drop-off location to the cruise pier.

I would never recommend a visit to Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Why not? Many find it iconic to Los Angeles (Hollywood).

I have never been to SM but imagine it to be more of a zoo.

If you have never been there how do you know that?

Sorry but on this one I have to agree with mrwunrful and disagree with suze

IMO/IME the HWoF is one of the most overrated 'tourist attractions' in the country if not the whole world. It is merely blocks and blocks of bought and paid for stars acknowledging stars and celebrities (some A list/iconic and some D list/wanna be's)

Yes, each of those stars have paid a fairly large amountof $$$ to the Chamber of Commerce for the star/installation/photo op.

Plus it is a long stretch of road (nearly 1.5 miles) some of which contains gritty/dirty/yucky homeless camps. Its been a few years since I was in that specific area but have read reports of the authorities cleaning up encampments only to have new ones pop up nearby.

No, just no -- especially on such a short visit to the LA area.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is simply in Hollywood. Graumann's Chinese Theatre, the Egyptian Theatre, Pantages, Ameoba Records, the Capitol Records Building, Crossroads of the World, maybe stay at Magic Castle .... it's not some separate area that you have to go out of your way for.

I think it's pretty awesome and interesting even if people paid to get their stars. it's part of the history.