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Museums

Banning Residence Museum

Banning Residence Museum
401 E. M Street
Wilmington, CA 90744
(310) 548-7777
banningmuseum.org

The Banning Residence is a 19th century mansion that sits on a grand 20-acre property originally owned by Phineas Banning, "Father of the Los Angeles Harbor." Fashioned after popular Delaware homes of the era, the Banning Residence combines exquisite ancient Greek Revival design elements with much sought-after Victorian furnishings. Complete with antique coaches and carriages and modern-day picnic tables and tennis courts, the Banning estate has something for everyone. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and the museum shop is open during public tour hours. A $3 donation is suggested for admission.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
3720 Stephen M White Drive
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 548-7562; TDD (310) 548-2052
cabrillomarineaquarium.org

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is an educational and recreational facility promoting knowledge and understanding of marine life in Southern California. Tours, classes, hands-on learning, grunion runs, and whale watching tours are part of the adventure. Nearby exploratory experiences include the Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge tidepools, salt marsh, fishing pier and Cabrillo Beach — all within walking distance. Hours of operation are from 12 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free and donations are welcomed. On-site parking is $7.

Drum Barracks Civil War Museum

Drum Barracks Civil War Museum
1052 Banning Boulevard
Wilmington, CA 90744
(310) 548-7509
drumbarracks.org

Learn how California played a part in the Civil War. The Drum Barracks served as the Union Army headquarters in the Southwest territory from 1861 to 1871. The museum is housed in the last remaining wooden building built during the Civil War to be used as Officers’ Quarters — the only intact U.S. Army Civil War-era building in Southern California. Tours are conducted everyday, except Monday and Friday. Call for tour times. Admission is $2.50 per person.

Fort MacArthur Museum

Fort MacArthur Museum
3601 S. Gaffey Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 548-2631
ftmac.org

The Fort MacArthur Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Fort MacArthur, a U.S. Army post, which guarded the Los Angeles harbor from 1914 to 1974. The Museum was established in 1985, and it is housed in the corridors and galleries of historic Battery Osgood-Farley. The Fort MacArthur Reservations hold an important collection of historical structures that were part of the U.S. Army's role in the defense of the American continental coastline from invasion. These structures clearly trace the development of American coastal defenses, from the all big gun era of the turn of the century to the missile era of today. Hours of operation are from 12 to 5 p.m., on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Contact the Museum directly for the holiday schedule. A $3 donation is suggested for adult admission; $1 for children.

Los Angeles Harbor Fire Museum

Los Angeles Harbor Fire Museum
639 S. Harbor Blvd.
San Pedro, CA 90731
(323) 464-2727
lafdmuseum.org

Experience San Pedro and Wilmington’s fire protection & rescue service history with vintage fire apparatus and various displays of equipment, tools, photos, memorabilia and documents. Learn about the project to restore Old LAFD Fireboat #2, “The Ralph J. Scott”, an icon of the harbor for 78 years and a National Historic Landmark. Our docents will take you on a tour of the museum located in Old Fire Station 36. The museum is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Admission is free but donations are gladly accepted.

Los Angeles Maritime Museum


Los Angeles Maritime Museum
Berth 84 (at 6th Street and Harbor Boulevard)
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 548-7618
lamaritimemuseum.org

Explore Southern California's nautical heritage tracing the growth of the Los Angeles Harbor from a tidal mudflat to one of the world's busiest seaports at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. The museum is housed in the former San Pedro Municipal Ferry Building, which ceased operation in 1963, coinciding with the construction of the Vincent Thomas Bridge. One of the largest maritime museums in California, it boasts 75,000 square feet and features more than 200 ship and boat models, a variety of navigational equipment and an operating amateur radio station. Historical references cover the fishing industry, tall ships, commercial shipping, U.S. Navy, Merchant Marine and recreational sailing. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Donations are suggested for admission: $3 for adults, $1 for seniors and children are free.

Point Fermin Lighthouse

Point Fermin Lighthouse
807 W. Paseo Del Mar
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 241-0684
pointferminlighthouse.org

The Point Fermin Lighthouse sits on the southernmost tip of Los Angeles. Built in 1874, the Victorian-style lighthouse is banked upon a 100-foot cliff above the Pacific Ocean. It served as a beacon for the growing Los Angeles harbor until World War II, when the lantern was replaced with a lookout tower. Situated in Point Fermin Park, the lighthouse is a historical reference point within a picturesque ocean setting, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the rocky coast line, Federal breakwater, Angles Gate Lighthouse, Catalina Island and surrounding Palos Verdes and San Pedro Hills. The Lighthouse Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free and donations are welcomed.

S.S. Lane Victory

S.S. Lane Victory
Berth 46 (Just South of 22nd and Miner Streets)
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 519-9545
lanevictory.org

Get a true perspective of wartime in the 1940s aboard the fully-operational, restored cargo ship, S.S. Lane Victory. Designated as a national historic landmark, the Lane Victory is the only surviving victory-class ship in the world. She carried arms, supplies and personnel over thousand of miles during World War II. This vessel is a national historic landmark and guided tours are offered throughout the day. Below deck, you can tour the soldiers’ quarters, pick up antique artillery and be part of the action with mock battles and staged air raids. Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children under age 15.