Cabrillo Beach San Pedro CA

Cabrillo Beach is a historic beach located in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. It is named after Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer who was the first to sail up the California coast. Cabrillo has two separate beach areas.
Cabrillo Beach is a historic beach situated within the small coastal community of San Pedro. Cabrillo Beach is named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who was the first European to sail along the coast of California. The city of San Pedro was in consideration of being the host of a major port in Southern California. After much deliberation, the federal government selected San Pedro. Construction of the San Pedro Breakwater began in 1899 for the purpose of protecting San Pedro Bay and the new, major port.
Rocks from Catalina Island, 25.1 miles away from the coast of San Pedro, were originally used in the construction of the breakwater. However, due to many problems and set-backs, rocks from Chatsworth, California were transported to San Pedro for the construction of the breakwater. Some of the rocks used weighed about 6,000 to 16,000 pounds.
In 1913, Angel’s Gate Lighthouse was built at the end of the breakwater, which was, and still is today, the main entrance to the Port of Los Angeles.
The ocean water traveled right up to the cliffs; there was no sand between the cliffs of San Pedro and the ocean. So after completion of the breakwater, sand was added in 1927 in order to create the outer beach. The addition of sand was from the harbor dredging. As a result of the addition of sand, the expansive outer beach of Cabrillo was created. Cabrillo Beach opened in 1928, and residents of San Pedro, Wilmington, and Los Angeles flooded the beach to enjoy the new Southern California beach. The San Pedro city leaders were excited to have a newly added destination for visitors and residents to enjoy in San Pedro.
Cabrillo Beach is 370 acres of land located at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive San Pedro, California, specifically the Port of Los Angeles West Channel.
Along with the inner and outer beaches of Cabrillo Beach, the 370 acres of land also encompasses several complexes that are open to the public. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a major complex of Cabrillo Beach. Situated within the parking lot, the aquarium has been teaching the public about the coast and its marine life for over 75 years.
Overlooking the Los Angeles Harbor is the Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier. Built in 1969 inside the breakwater, the pier runs 1,200 feet parallel with the breakwater.
On the outer beach at the base of the cliffs is the bathhouse. It was originally built in 1932, the bathhouse was declared a historic landmark in 1989 as it was one of the last bathhouses built in Southern California. In the 30's, 40's 50's and 60's the bathhouse was a place for people to rent beach gear, such as towels, swimsuits, and boats. Overall, the bathhouse offered activities for people to enjoy the inner beach of Cabrillo. The 26,000 square foot building was restored on October 12, 2002. It has indoor showers, restrooms, life guard facilities, a snack bar, and a community meeting room upstairs -- however it has very minimal hours and days that it is actually open to the public.