Hi,
Can you tell me what there is to see in San Pedros? Also any side trips from the area of must sees?

Do you mean San Pedro (no s), the section of the City of Los Angeles which contains the Port of Los Angeles? Or San Pedro, Belize?

We can be more helpful if you give us a little more info.

Sorry about that...
San Pedro in California

Have you chosen San Pedro to stay at because you are going on a Mexican cruise and leaving from the port of LA? Many people stay at the Sheraton Hotel there, pre cruise, take side trips to Catalina, or over to the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Not much else in SP, but can drive to any of LA's sights.
8-)

Hi,
No friends of ours made that home base because it was close to Long Beach airport. Any ideas of side trips within 45 minutes?

Within 45 minutes is much of Los Angeles County, and parts of Orange County. Lots of "side trip" options.

Again, you have to give us more information as to what you are interests are. Beaches? Museums? Shopping? Theater?

There are a few sights you can see in San Pedro and nearby Palos Verdes Peninsula, depending on what you like. Along the waterfront, there is a small aquarium (with voluntary donation) at Cabrillo Beach, the Maritime Museum, Lane Victory liberty ship, Fort Macarthur museum, Point Fermin Lighthouse. Sixth Street has some galleries and cafes. Abalone Cove tidepools and South Coast Botanic Garden are nearby in the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Thanks,
Does US 1 from San Pedro go past the beaches? Newport Venice Beach etc?

No

Please consult a map. US 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) does not go into San Pedro. It leaves the actual "coast" after Seal Beach and does not pick it up again until Santa Monica, which is north of Venice.

Want to do some shopping and beaches.
Is Laguana Beach and Dana Point close by?

Pacific Coast Hwy goes thru Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington and Long Beach, however it is not near the ocean for that stretch. It would be better to take the Harbor Freeway to the Sand Diego Freeway, then get off on Seal Beach Blvd where you can pick up PCH again along the ocean, going thru Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and onward to Laguna. Good Shopping is at Fashion Island near Newport Beach.