When people think of the City of Los Angeles, California, what comes to mind is probably Hollywood, Disneyland, or any other number of famous attractions. However, one of the oldest, largest, and most interesting places The City of Angels has to offer is the Port of Los Angeles.
Officially known as "America's Port", this huge port of entry and exit operates without any taxpayer dollars. With the highest bond rating, has been judged America's number one port for the last decade.
The origins of the Port of Los Angeles go back to 10-8-1542, when Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo documented the bay in his Log book, naming it San Pedro. It was used mostly by Spanish missionaries, when an American trading ship found its way to port in 1805. Southern California at this time was Spanish territory. By the time the Mexican-American war had been won and California entered the Union in 1849, Spanish restrictions had been lifted and business flourished at the Port.
San Pedro Bay is located 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The Port contains forty five miles of waterfront and 75,000 acres of land. Its facilities hold 270 berths for all kind of large commercial ships handling hundreds of types of cargo. Commercial cruise ships, private yachts and recreational boats using the slips all call LA their home port.
The San Pedro Bay not only employs some one million Californians throughout the state whose jobs depend on the commerce, but generates jobs for approximately 3.3 million Americans nationwide. The Port strives to keep competitive edge with innovative and record setting cargo operations. However, they labor to keep environmental concerns and initiatives front and center, not to mention the kind of security needed for a port of call that receives ships from virtually every country on earth.
Other historic landmarks are points of great interest. Angel's Gate Lighthouse, built in 1913 for less than $3600.00, sits at the end of the Breakwater. It has a singular design of an octagonal bottom and a cylindrical top. It has survived storms, earthquakes, and being rammed by a large ship, but it still guards the entrance to the Port of Los Angeles.
The Waterfront Red Car Line is a 1.5 mile historic stretch of track that three authentic vintage Red Cars use to take visitors along the waterfront as they visit such attractions as the Ports O' Call Village, the 22nd St. Park, and the new Green Space, among other fun and fascinating attractions.
From an item in a Spanish captain's log book to a billion dollar world wide business generator, the Port of Los Angeles has had a long and eventful life. Who knows what the next 469 years will bring?