Long Beach Area Council Boy Scouts of America

Presents: Family Adventure Day II – May 15, 2021

Family Adventure Day Guide Welcome to Family Adventure Day II- a day for your family or Den or Patrol to get out and visit many fun and interesting locations in the Port of . We have curated many outings nearby that can be visited for no or low cost and we encourage you to join us on May 15 for an on-your-own tour of some of our region’s highlights! Some you may have visited before; others may be new- but they are all worth a stop. Go to one, go to three, try and go to them all- it is totally up to you. We just want you to have a Big Family Adventure! How it works: in the following pages you will find some maps of the stops, a general description of each and what you might find there. Plus, some helpful hints to assist in finding your way. On our Council’s event webpage, you will find an interactive map with links to videos of Scouts enjoying many of the outings and taking you on a virtual tour of the stop. Current Covid-19 rules will apply- wear a mask when required, social distance, stay home if you are not feeling well or have a temperature. Follow current Scout regulations on May 15. At the end of the day: from 2 – 4 pm, you may end your tour at our BSA Service Center, 401 E. 37th St. Long Beach. Pull in the parking lot and check in. Tell us how many stops you made, and you will receive an opportunity drawing ticket for each one. Fabulous Scout prizes will be awarded, including a new tent. A custom-designed bag of Saltwater Taffy also awaits you, as well as your 2021 Family Adventure Day Patch. Oh, and a bathroom. So, come on down! You may start the day anytime that is convenient for you, but some of the stops have limited hours- check out the descriptions very closely. Pay particular attention to the Marine Mammal Care Center as there are special times for Scouts only and they need to be reserved- you may not just show up there and hope to get inside. A big Thank You to Troop 65 Scouts and families for suggesting the outings, trying them out before the event, and creating videos to showcase what can be found at many of them. Also, for hosting the closing ceremony complete with Saltwater Taffy and prizes! San Pedro is an older city with narrow streets more suited for the cars and traffic of yesteryear, plus has lots of train and truck traffic along the waterfront. And yet it is a modern bustling metropolis! Drivers- please use extra caution and passengers- enjoy the stunning views! Great Dining suggestions are included in Appendix. Show your LBAC pride! Class “A” uniforms would be a great way to market Scouting. Smile and thank the volunteers staffing the many stops. While this may seem like a lot of stops, many of them are only minutes apart, sometimes within easy walking distance. And it’s about half of what we found! Just do what you can, plan your own Adventure from the list. What would YOUR family like to see? Go and do it! We will see you across the bridges!

Bob Colley Vice President of Program - LBAC BSA Outing Descriptions [Note: these locations are not listed in any suggested order- travel to them in an order that best makes sense for you and where you are coming from. We are not recommending an order of visit. A map showing all the stops is available on the Council website for planning purposes.] Donut Shops- This may be the best way to start your Adventure- with a donut! Carson & Cherry, Long Beach Blvd & Roosevelt [Long Beach], Bellflower Blvd & Arkansas Street [Bellflower] have stands with a large donut stuck on the roof. Anywhere is fine (in your own neighborhood at your local shop is great) but BUY A DONUT! Enjoy a chocolate glazed twist with a carton of ice-cold chocolate milk. Or your choice- a maple bar, regular glazed, sprinkles, how about a freshly baked croissant? Treat your family to a warm donut.

The NEW Bridge- Gerald Desmond Replacement Bridge- Long Beach to

This may be the best way to get to San Pedro, it’s certainly the most picturesque! Drive over the bridge! The previous Gerald Desmond Bridge was a vital part of the country's trade infrastructure, with 15 percent of the nation's imported waterborne cargo trucked over it. In addition, it was a critical access route for commuters between the , downtown Long Beach and surrounding communities.

Built in the 1960s and in need of replacement, the old bridge was not designed to accommodate today’s larger cargo ships or the dramatic increase in trucking traffic that came with the growth of the Port.

The Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project spans the Port of Long Beach’s Back Channel with a deck rising 205 feet above the water. The sleek, cable-stayed bridge includes additional traffic lanes, a higher clearance to accommodate larger cargo ships, and a dedicated bicycle path and pedestrian walkway, including scenic overlooks (The Mark Bixby Memorial Bicycle and Pedestrian Path with three scenic overlooks). With two towers reaching 515 feet into the sky, it will be the second-tallest cable- stayed bridge in the . Its design reminds one of a tall sailing ship.

The Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project was a joint effort of Caltrans and the Port of Long Beach, with funding contributions from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).

You may access the bridge quite simply by driving west on Ocean Avenue in Downtown Long Beach towards San Pedro. Alternatively, from the Long Beach Freeway stay in the two right lanes designated as 710 fwy Terminal Island and you will wind up on the bridge. Enjoy the views!

Japanese Fishing Village Memorial – Terminal Island Farewell to Manzanar. This historical site was the location of a Japanese-populated fishing village prior to the onset of World War II. In 1941, 3,000 first and second-generation Japanese made their homes in an area of Terminal Island known as East San Pedro. The Japanese Fishing Village was next to Fish Harbor. Most of the local residents worked in the fishing industry. Approximately 250 fishing boats were owned and/or operated by the residents. Most of the local people that were not working on the boats were employed in the many fish canneries that were clustered together on Terminal Island. Because Terminal Island was somewhat isolated, the Terminal Islanders developed their own culture and even their own dialect. The people called their close community village “Furusato” which translated literally means “old village”. An English equivalent would be “hometown”, “native place” or “home sweet home”. In February of 1942, Terminal Island residents were the first Japanese Americans on the West Coast to be forcibly removed from their homes. They were forced to evacuate their homes within 48 hours and had to leave almost all their possessions behind including all their fishing boats and fishing gear. Some were able to sell their furniture, fishing gear, boats, and other items. Since the residents only had 48 hours to complete the transactions, they were often forced to sell at ridiculously low prices by greedy individuals taking advantage of the desperate situation.

Note: The luxurious Resort-appearing area across the channel is the Terminal Island Prison.

10 minutes average visitation time at this site. Ample parking is available. Enjoy the water vistas. Be aware of the port traffic while driving and the STOP signs painted on the streets (Terminal Way). Access is between the two bridges from the Ferry Street Exit. Follow your GPS map towards the site. City signs are in place as you get closer. When finished, simply double back. Take the 47 SOUTH onramp (not the NORTH ramp which seems more intuitive) to continue onto the and into San Pedro. 47 NORTH goes to Long Beach.

Vincent Thomas Bridge- Terminal Island to San Pedro So, you need to traverse two bridges to get to San Pedro. What fun! And the views are spectacular of two of the world’s greatest Ports- Long Beach and Los Angles! Double back to Ferry Street and use the 47 South onramp to access the bridge. The Vincent Thomas Bridge is a 1,500-foot-long (460 m) suspension bridge crossing the Los Angeles Harbor, linking Terminal Island with San Pedro. It is the only suspension bridge in the area. The bridge is part of State Route 47, which is also known as the Seaside Freeway. The bridge opened in 1963 and is named for Assemblyman Vincent Thomas of San Pedro, who championed its construction. It was the first welded suspension bridge in the United States and is now the fourth-longest suspension bridge in California and the 76th-longest span in the world. The clear height of the navigation channel is approximately 185 feet (56 m); it is the only suspension bridge in the world supported entirely on piles. Enjoy the magnificent views! When the bridge opened in 1963, the toll was 25 cents in each direction, with the toll plaza on the Terminal Island side. In 1983, the toll increased to 50 cents for westbound traffic but became free for eastbound traffic. In 2000, tolls were eliminated on the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Films The bridge has featured in numerous movies such as the original 1974 Gone in 60 Seconds and the 2000 Gone in 60 Seconds remake, Lethal Weapon 2, To Live and Die in L.A., City of Angels, Charlie's Angels, , and Den of Thieves. In the 1995 film Heat, the bridge is mentioned by Robert De Niro's character when he points to the location and mistakenly refers to it as the "St. Vincent Thomas Bridge.” Television The bridge's former toll plaza is featured in a 1960s episode of the original series of Mission: Impossible where Mr. Phelps, played by , receives his instructions. The bridge was also featured extensively in season 1/episode 7 of NBC's crime series, CHiPs, airing November 3, 1977, titled, "Taking Its Toll." The old tollbooths were the center of the action, where bandits mugged drivers to steal contents from their cars. The 1978 episode of NBC's Columbo entitled "The Conspirators" had a scene where Peter Falk's title character Lt. Columbo tries unsuccessfully to speed across the bridge in his iconic 1959 Peugeot convertible. In August 2012, for the season three premiere of the History Channel's show Top Gear, the bridge was used as a finishing line for a closed course race. The race was between professional driver Tanner Foust, who drove a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 police car, and professional stunt driver Ernie Vigil, who drove a Triumph 1050 Speed Triple motorcycle. Video music It was also the scene of the video "I Think I'm in Love with You" by Jessica Simpson. Video games The bridge was featured in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as the Ocean Docks Bridge, and the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V as the Miriam Turner Overpass. The bridge is also featured in Need For Speed: Most Wanted as "Heflin Drive" and in The Crew 2.

Vincent Thomas Bridge

City of Los Angles Sister Cities Plaza This parklet is located on Gaffey Street just as the Vincent Thomas Bridge exits near the “San Pedro” sign. 406 N. Gaffey, San Pedro. Hear the snapping of 25 different country’s flags that include sister cities of Los Angeles. Currently closed, but wave as you drive by. Don’t stop, just for curiosity’s sake.

Los Angeles Sister Cities Plaza Plaza Los Angeles Maritime Institute / TopSail Youth Program and “Ghost Fish” – San Pedro Avast Matey’s! How about a tour aboard a Tall Sailing Ship? Open for Scout families from 9am-2pm. Scouts 12 and older may be able to harness up and climb in the rigging! With a parental waiver. Berth 78, just south of the San Pedro Fish Market, look for signs inviting Scouts aboard and a kiosk. The twin brigantines Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson are the flagships the Los Angeles Maritime Institute's (LAMI) TopSail Youth Program, a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth learn discipline and teamwork through sailing. They join LAMI's topsail schooners the Swift of Ipswich and the Bill of Rights. Their 3-masted gaf rigged schooner, the American Pride, is the “Official Tall Ship” of the City of Long Beach. The Institute cooperates with our own Long Beach Area Council Sea Scouts and you are welcome aboard! While visiting, check out the nearby art installation “Ghost Fish.” It is a 30-foot-tall Tuna with a camera activated roving eye that seems to follow you. 75 Berth Ste. 2, near Utro’s Diner.

Warehouse #1- San Pedro Check this out! Built in 1917, Warehouse No. 1 served as the Port’s only bonded warehouse, a function critical to L.A.’s trade connection with Europe following the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914. Topical: The warehouse was used to quarantine patients infected during the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. As a symbol of the Port’s growth into America’s largest trade gateway and link to the Pacific Rim economy, Warehouse No.1 is a California State Historic Landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Portions of the warehouse are still in use, and it is also a popular production location for movies and TV shows. Note the rain spouts disguised as Gargoyles. Stay 5-10 minutes. Great views! The east channel housed the U.S. West Coast fleet during World War I and currently is the winter home of Bob Bollard’s ship, the Nautilus- (He discovered the resting place of the Titanic).

Warehouse #1 San Pedro

S. S. Lane Victory- San Pedro Welcome aboard the SS Lane Victory! This is an American Victory-class used in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The ship was preserved in 1989 to serve as a museum ship in San Pedro. As a rare surviving Victory ship, she was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark. SS Lane Victory was named after , which was established as a high school for black youths in 1882 at Jackson, Tennessee by Isaac Lane, a bishop of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. Lane Victory was built in Los Angeles by the California Shipbuilding Corporation and launched on May 31, 1945. On her first voyage, June 27, 1945, Lane Victory carried war supplies in the Pacific. The War Shipping Administration gave the operations of the ship to the American President Lines. United States Merchant Mariners operated the ship. The United States Navy Armed Guard, who manned the ship's guns, worked as signalmen and radiomen. She made two Pacific cruises, beginning July 10, 1945 to Manus Island, and the second starting August 30, 1945 to Guam, Saipan, and Hawaii. The trip to Guam was to bring food to the island. On the way Lane Victory sailed through a Typhoon and was tossed around for 14 days. On February 27, 1946 her second voyage ended. With the end of World War II, she started shipping aid and in March 1946 she started delivering goods to Europe under the Marshall Plan. You are welcome to come aboard for a tour! Open for Scout families to visit from 9 am – 4 pm.

Cabrillo Tide Pools

Cabrillo Beach sits out on the edge of Point Fermin in the town of San Pedro. This beach has historical significance from the bathhouse that sits on the sand, a beautiful collection of tide pools about a quarter mile from the beach, and the infamous Sunken City if you keep going around the bend (but don’t go to Sunken City). Look for pods of Dolphins just offshore! If you are a fan of tide pools like I am, then make sure to add this spot to your list to check out, here is all the information: Details • Cost: Free, but parking is $1 an hour. • Less than .5-mile round trip to the tide pools. • Location: 3800 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731 • You might need a towel and water shoes. You might remove your class “A”s for this stop.

Getting There From Downtown San Pedro, you will want to head south on Pacific Avenue. From there, turn left on Stephen White Dr. then left again on Oliver Vickery Way. This will lead you down to the bathhouse and aquarium. Parking near the currently closed Aquarium is closest to the tide pools. After parking, proceed to the right side of the beach, which is where you will be starting the walk. The beach itself is beautiful, and it is a great place to spend a half day relaxing in the sun and water (another day, not today). There is also a small pier here that you can walk out on. From the beach, there is an elevated platform that will take you over to the tide pools.

The Trail

This could be YOU!

Point Fermin Park & Lighthouse / Walker’s Cafe- 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro Point Fermin Park consists of 37 landscaped acres of tree- shaded lawns, sheltered pergolas, colorful gardens, and a promenade along the edge of the palisade. The vantage point atop the rugged bluffs affords a breathtaking view of the coast toward Santa Catalina Island. You may even be able to spot playful dolphin and harbor seals from the cliffs (I did!). There are picnic areas, a playground, and a small amphitheater. This scenic park is the southernmost point in Los Angeles. The area was given its name by the British explorer George Vancouver, who visited here in 1793 and decided to thank Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen for his hospitality at the mission in Carmel. Point Fermin Park is one of the few places on the peninsula where Monarch butterflies spend their winters. This lovely park provides spectacular views of the coast and Channel Islands and is a perfect site for picnics or a leisurely stroll. To the left of the park entrance is colorful Walker’s Cafe which is frequently used as a movie location. You may purchase lunch or a snack there to enjoy in the park. Among the tall palms you will spot the Point Fermin Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1874 with lumber from California redwoods and included a Fresnel Lens brought around Cape Horn by sailing ships. For its time, this Victorian lighthouse was a palatial structure, crowned with a cupola fitted with a 2,100-candlepower light. Miss Mary L. Smith was the first lighthouse keeper, living in the lighthouse with her sister. They eventually gave up the lonely occupation because there were no other settlers nearer than Wilmington. In the 1880’s, when Captain George Shaw was keeper, the lighthouse was the scene of many parties. This graceful Victorian-style building surrounded by colorful flower gardens, is one to the oldest lighthouses on the west coast and served as an aid to safe passage between the Channel Islands and into the harbor for nearly one hundred years. The land for the lighthouse was donated by Jose Diego Sepulveda. The building that houses San Pedro’s venerable Walker’s Cafe, at 700 Paseo del Mar across the street from Point Fermin Park, originally was built in about 1913 as a turnaround station at the end of the Red Car line down Pacific Avenue. Trolley tickets once were sold from the diner’s arched window (since remodeled). When Bessie May Petersen and her husband Ray Walker (then in the Navy) came upon the cafe in 1946, it was a tavern named Cuddles where patrons could walk up to the window and buy a beer. The couple bought the place and expanded it, opening it under the name Walker’s Cafe and Grill. It became a local hangout, popular among military families stationed at nearby Fort MacArthur. Very old-school cafe in an idyllic setting- Point Fermin Park and the Point Fermin Lighthouse. Family owned since the 40s this fantastic gem has antique ceramic figurines, good food and reasonable prices. On weekends, it is often the destination of motorcycle groups. Basic Americana food: order the BESSIE BURGER! Plan on spending 15-20 minutes in the park.

White Point Nature Preserve – 1600 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA The White Point Nature Preserve features 102 acres of restored coastal sage scrub habitat, hiking and handicap accessible trails overlooking the ocean and Catalina Island. The Preserve is now home to the Nature Education Center, which opened in May 2010 and serves as a resource for students, families, and community groups from all over Los Angeles. You could spend 15-20 minutes or hours here, your choice! The bunker at White Point was built as a coastal defense site in World War II, and was in service from 1942 to 1978, though it never fired on the enemy. A panel along the trail describes the weaponry at White Point: During World War II, Battery Bunker housed two 16-inch guns, each capable of hurling 2,000-pound shells up to 26 miles. Every time the great guns were test-fired, the booms broke hundreds of windows in San Pedro! The bunker is now abandoned, allowing visitors to walk around the grounds and imagine the peninsula in a militarized state. The 17-foot thick, steel-reinforced concrete ceiling over the 4,000 square foot facility creates an artificial hill that will be standing for quite some time. Another thing that won’t change is the pacifying ocean view, which you will have the opportunity to enjoy as you hike back to the trailhead. This area housed surface-to-air missiles during another US military campaign. At the start of the cold war, White Point was used as a Nike Missile site, part of an early system designed to protect Los Angeles from soviet missile attacks.

Korean Friendship Bell - 3601 S Gaffey St, Angel's Gate Park - San Pedro From Point Firmin Park, face north and look up the hill. The Korean Bell of Friendship (more commonly called Korean Friendship Bell) is a massive bronze bell housed in a stone pavilion in Angel's Gate Park, San Pedro. Located at the corner of Gaffey and 37th Streets, the section of the park is alternatively called the "Korean-American Peace Park" and occupies part of the former Upper Reservation of Fort MacArthur. It is modeled after the Divine Bell of King Seonqeok the Great of Silla (also known as the Emille Bell), cast in 771. The Emille Bell is the largest bell ever cast in Korean history; both are among the largest bells in the world. The bell is made of over seventeen tons of copper and tin, with gold, nickle, lead, and phosphorus added to the alloy for tone quality. It has a diameter of 7½ feet, average thickness of 8 inches, and a height of 12 feet. The exterior surface is richly decorated in relief, featuring four pairs of figures. Each pair includes a "Goddess of Liberty" (bearing some resemblance to the Statue of Liberty and a Seonnyeo, or Korean spirit figure. Hike up the hill from the lower parking lot for a close-up view.

Trains, Trains, Trains! – San Pedro This could be YOU! 3601 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA Choo, Choo! Let’s visit the Angels Gate High-Railers Model Railroad club and their “O-gauge” model trains on display inside the clubhouse. Push a button, watch while the roll up door opens on the model firehouse and a fireman slides down the pole. Then the fire engine speeds away! R-R-R-R-R! Another button controls a model of the old Cyclone Racer. What movie is on the marquee of the miniature movie house? Is that really Superman changing his clothes in a phone booth? It looks like poor Kermit the Frog was run over by the steamroller. Oh, no! Come visit the trains and go on a Scavenger Hunt, looking for these scenes among the train layout and many more. Scavenger Hunt form is in the Appendix. Spend 20-30 minutes or all day! It’s tough to get Dad out of here.

DONUTS!!

Directions: On Gaffey Street at 32nd you will find the entrance to Angels Gate Park and . Enter and continue up the hill. At the top of the hill, turn LEFT at the end of the green fence on your left, just past the open green field and parking stalls, turn LEFT again and follow the dirt road between the palm trees. Or park near the palm trees and walk through them to the clubhouse. Be prepared to smile!! Open from 10am – 2 pm.

Entrance to Model Trains through the Palm Trees

Marine Mammal Care Center - 3601 S Gaffey St, #8 - Angel's Gate Park - San Pedro

Keep going up the hill from the Trains and visit the Marine Mammal Care Center, a remnant of the much-missed Marineland of the Pacific. Come and see the marvelous work being done with the Sea Lions and various types of Seals to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild. Roughly 20 minutes. Follow the directions to “Trains, Trains, Trains”, but instead of turning LEFT past the green fence continue on the main road towards San Pedro High School. You will come to a large parking lot adjacent to the Care Center. Check in at the table in front. You will need to pre-register, either for the special Scout hours or the general public hours if that works best for your family. Either way, you need to pre-register, see details in Appendix. Please leave the suggested donation. A wish list of various items that the Care Center needs is included in the Appendix should you wish to help further. MMCC Los Angeles serves Los Angeles County by providing in house medical care to injured or sick seals and sea lions that strand on the 70 miles of beaches from Malibu to Seal Beach. In 2018 alone, they treated 389 animals recovered our beaches. There are currently ~60 mammals being treated here.

Their mission is important to the health and safety of all of Los Angeles County beachgoers because there are no protected beaches where sick or injured seals or sea lions can rest and heal away from people. MMCC Los Angeles is the only 24/7/365 safe haven for these animals in Los Angeles County. Without this rehabilitation and conservation work, these animals would be left to die on our beaches.

Lookout Point Park - Gaffey St. @ 36th, near Angel's Gate Park - San Pedro [Can’t miss it!]

Just the place for a quick stop to admire the views of Long Beach and Los Angeles harbors. Plentiful parking and amazing vistas. The overlook is very near to Angels Gate and Fermin Parks. Worth the stop! This small pocket park may not be much more than a parking lot, but the views definitely make up for it. Enjoy panoramic views from the industrial landscape of the Ports to the East to the majestic island view of Catalina to the South. Lookout Park’s main feature is its viewpoint. The public can look at the harbor through paid telescopes. A couple quarters will get you a close-up view of the harbor for a few minutes. Like many other San Pedro hot spots, Lookout Point Park has been caught on film. A pivotal scene from the movie Crash was filmed here with Matt Dillon. Nearby, Angel’s Gate Park has been used for filming The Usual Suspects, Pearl Harbor, and television show The O.C., and neighboring Point Fermin Park hosted a wedding scene for 500 Days of Summer.

Downtown San Pedro

A drive through downtown San Pedro

Downtown San Pedro is generally found between Harbor Blvd. and Pacific Ave., and between 5th – 7th streets. Cruise through the area and enjoy a quaint trip back in time. We’ve included some highlights:

San Pedro Visitor’s Center

479 W. 6th street, Suite 101 - San Pedro [opens at 11 am] Stop by and say “Hi” to Katherine Gray and say thank you for helping to plan the day. Pick up some brochures or maps, ask for directions, enjoy the historical displays, maybe get a suggestion for lunch?

Sweet Susie Candy Store!

461 W. 6th street, San Pedro [opens at 11 am] Candy Store? Yes, and it’s a short stroll from the Visitor’s Center. Walk down a few doors and buy yourself some candy. May be open, if not they are accepting take out orders at the front door. YELP review: One of the great gems in the downtown San Pedro area. This family-owned business has been around for several years and has a large assortment of treats to satisfy those sweet tooth's. Everything from laffy taffy, to gummies, to chocolate and even some awesome tasting Mexican treats. They even sell gelato which is rather good. The family is super nice, and I would consider this shop a wonderful staple in the community.

Fire Museum - 638 S. Beacon street, San Pedro

Old Fire Station 36 is housed in one of the oldest buildings still standing in San Pedro and includes some remarkable LAFD apparatus, artifacts from the San Pedro area and some of the most famous fires in this part of the city, and much more. A small store offers up a variety of goodies, ranging from authentic LAFD merchandise to memorial bracelets.

You are invited to visit on any Saturday, from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.

Misty Copeland Square & San Pedro Ballet School- 1231 S. Pacific Avenue @ 13th street, San Pedro

San Pedro City Ballet (SPCB) was established in 1994 by nationally recognized dancers and teachers, Cynthia and Patrick David Bradley, as a not-for-profit dance company serving greater Los Angeles. It is home to American Ballet Theatre superstar Misty Copeland, who was discovered by the Bradley’s at age 13. The company performs The Nutcracker annually at the in San Pedro as well as produces original modern works for a variety of venues throughout . In addition, San Pedro City Ballet, through its outreach programs, holds performance workshops throughout the city of Los Angeles. Thousands of residents see the company perform each year. The Ballet school’s most well-known former student is Misty Copeland. In 2015, she made history by becoming the first African American female Principal dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre in New York. Copeland was discovered by Cindy Bradley as a 13-year-old through one of San Pedro City Ballet’s outreach programs. She writes, “This program changed the trajectory of my life. Because of San Pedro City Ballet’s mission of bringing ballet to the Los Angeles community, I was trained in four short years to go on to dance with American Ballet Theatre in New York City, America’s National Ballet Company.” The intersection outside the ballet school is known as Misty Copeland Square. This can be a “drive by” experience, but if you do stop notice the murals of Misty on the 13th street side of the building.

Warner Grand Theater – San Pedro - 478 W. 6th street, San Pedro

“Lights! Camera! Action!” Jack L. Warner called it "The Castle of Your Dreams". As there is a live event planned for the venue on May 15 we are unable to tour inside, but enjoy the exterior and come back! The Warner Grand Theatre is a historic movie palace that opened on January 20, 1931. It is located in San Pedro, at 478 West 6th Street. The design of the Warner Grand Theatre was a collaboration by architect B. Marcus Priteca and interior designer Anthony Heinsbergen in the Art Deco-Moderne style. It was one of three similarly lavish Los Angeles area Art Deco movie palaces on which Priteca and Heinsbergen collaborated for the Warner Brothers company in the early 1930s. Priteca later designed 's famous Pantages Theater. The theater was facing possible demolition or re-development when, in 1995, a local group of activists formed the Grand Vision Foundation to work for the preservation of the historic building. Their efforts were successful when the theater was purchased by the Cultural Affairs Department (later renamed the Department of Cultural Affairs) of the City of Los Angeles in 1996. Efforts to both restore and program the theater have been ongoing since the acquisition. In 1999, the Warner was added to the National Register of Historic Places as building #98001633. Warner Grand Theatre currently hosts foreign films, art films, and family films presented by Cinema Grand, Grand Vision Foundation, the Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival, and the San Pedro International Film Festival. The Warner Grand Theatre has also been used as a location in some movies, including Remote Control (1988), What’s Love Got to Do with it (1993) and Pearl Harbor (2001).

A little further out, but worth the drive!

Banning House – 401 E. M street, Wilmington

We are unable to access the interior at this time but come and enjoy the park and gardens surrounding the mansion. It’s worth the visit! You can still walk around the outside. Banning House was designed by , and has been described as "one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the west." It originally had 30 rooms, but some rooms have been combined, and the house now has 24 rooms. According to a history of the house written by its curator, Banning recruited help to build the house from shipwrights, blacksmiths, carpenters, and artisans employed on clipper ships visiting the Wilmington harbor. Banning was reported to have lavishly entertained the ships' captains while they were at Wilmington, encouraging them to stay in port and seal up leaks in their ships with tar from the La Brea Tar Pits. The story goes: "Strangely enough Banning repeated this warning (about leaky ships) over and over for about three years until his mansion was completed in 1864." The house was a departure from the adobe haciendas that predominated in Southern California at the time and became a showplace. During Banning's life, the house was the site of parties, or "regales" as Banning called them, attended by United States senators, congressmen, governors, foreign dignitaries, ship captains, Army officers, and business leaders. It has been said that "no home in all California represents the horse and carriage era more fully than the Banning Mansion, where for decades Phineas entertained the elite of the social, economic, and political world." The house was also reportedly the site of "the first yachting party on the West Coast." Banning arrived in Los Angeles in 1851 and built successful transportation businesses, including ships, railroads, and stagecoach lines running from Wilmington to Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Fort Yuma. He founded Wilmington (named after his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware) in 1858, built the first railroad in Los Angeles (the Los Angeles and San Pedro Railroad) in 1869, designed and promoted the first breakwater at the Los Angeles harbor, and is considered the "Father of the ” Banning was reportedly fond of walking up the stairs of the house to his fourth-floor cupola where he would watch the ships arriving with cargoes. He was also elected to the California legislature in 1867 and 1869. Banning lived in the house for more than 20 years until his death in 1885. Banning died at age 53 after being knocked down and run over by a passing express wagon while visiting .

1st Der Weinerschnitzel – 900 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Wilmington

The first Wienerschnitzel was founded by former Taco Bell employee John Galardi. When Galardi came to California at the age of 19, he landed his first job from Glen Bell, who would go on to later establish Taco Bell in 1962. Bell initially hired him on a part-time basis for 50 cents an hour at a taco store called Taco-Tia. Eventually, Galardi entered into a partnership agreement to run the store. At one point, Bell borrowed $6,000 from Galardi, but was unable to pay the loan back. He offered to sell the store to Galardi for $12,000. Galardi borrowed some money from his parents, laid off all the employees at the restaurant and worked alone, eventually securing enough money to purchase it. A couple of years later, a man wanted to recruit Galardi to start his own restaurant at a location on Pacific Coast Highway in Wilmington, next to one of Bell's taco stores. Bell encouraged him to take the man up on the offer, but to sell another kind of food. Galardi decided to sell hot dogs since "nobody else was in hot dogs." According to Galardi, his wife came up with the name when looking through a cookbook. He was initially skeptical of the name, saying, "I told my wife going home nobody in their right mind would call a company wienerschnitzel. Three days later, I said, 'Well, it's better than John's Hot Dogs.'" The first location was opened in 1961.

Civil War-era Gunpowder Magazine – 561 E. Opp street, Wilmington

Who knew? It’s hiding in plain sight, next to someone’s house. A real gunpowder magazine left over from the Civil War. And it’s in California? Worth a drive by if you are near Banning House. The Powder Magazine from Camp Drum is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument located in Wilmington. Built in 1862, the Powder Magazine is a 20-by-20-foot brick and stone structure that was used to store gunpowder during the Civil War. It was originally part of Camp Drum, a facility built upon the outbreak of the American Civil War to address concerns about the loyalty and security of the Los Angeles area. Many of the area's residents were recent arrivals from the Southern states, and southerner John C. Breckinridge received twice as many local votes as Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 Presidential election. Phineas Banning (remember him?), the founder of Wilmington (then known as New San Pedro), wrote to President Lincoln advising that the Union would lose California unless some provision was made to quell pro-Confederacy sentiment.

Appendix

Travel hints

While this may seem like a lot of stops, many of them are only minutes apart, sometimes within easy walking distance. And its about half of what we found! Just do what you can, plan your own Adventure from the list. What would YOUR family like to see? It may be best to let your smartphone do the navigating, especially while directly in the Port area as the addresses are “Berths.” Just enter the stop description you want to visit, click on maps, then directions. This should get you to your adventure quickly. As you are leaving the Japanese Fishing Village Memorial, be aware of the onramp directions as I didn’t find them to be intuitive. 47 North heads back to Long Beach, 47 South leads to the Vincent Thomas Bridge and San Pedro. Opposite of what I would have thought. If you take the wrong one, no worries! Get off at the next exit and make a U-turn. And enjoy the views if you get turned around because you couldn’t ask for a spot with better views to get lost in! This advice goes for all the stops! The Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) and TopSail Youth Program are in the same old Ports ‘o Call parking lot, just a long walk between them. The Tall Ships can be found at Berth 78 just south of the San Pedro Fish Market. Try searching for LAMI Stem berth 78 San Pedro. Or find the San Pedro Fish Market (can’t miss it) and walk south down the oceanfront promenade until you see the “Welcome Scouts!” The Los Angeles Maritime Institute offices are near the “Ghost Fish” and Utro’s Diner at Berth 73, across the parking lot. If you find one, someone will help you spot the other. Best to search for Utro’s San Pedro for the “Ghost Fish” as it pops right up. Be cautious of traffic in the old Ports ‘o Call area as it is under construction. But everything we have mentioned is open and can be readily accessed. Gaffey Street is a major arterial route out of San Pedro as it connects with both the Vincent Thomas Bridge (HWY 47) and the Harbor Freeway (110 freeway towards Los Angeles). We have designed our stops to bypass Gaffey Street as much as possible. It gets backed up in the afternoons between 12th Street or so and the major highways. It is usually easier to access HWY 47 to get back to Long Beach from Harbor Blvd in the afternoon. You can access the Vincent Thomas Bridge near the Cruise Terminals, there is a clearly marked onramp there that bypasses Gaffey. Use extra caution driving from the bridges to the Japanese Fishing Village Memorial- it’s safe, just be aware of the train and truck traffic. Also watch for STOP signs that are just painted in the street on Terminal Way, these are not fixed signs on poles, only paint on the street- but STOP where it says to. You may easily access Point Fermin Park, Lighthouse, Walker’s Café, and the Korean Friendship Bell from any available parking space near the area- they are all a short walk apart. The Bell is a short hike up the hill from the lower parking lot, the traditional upper lot is closed due to construction. Be careful hiking back down, it’s a little slippery. The locations with interior tours will have their own Covid protocols to follow such as Temp checks, contact tracing forms, and health questionnaires for everyone’s safety.

Tour Reservations

Some of our stops require reservations or may be open for limited hours: ➢ Banning House – Not currently allowing interior tours, exterior gardens only. ➢ Harbor Fire Museum - Doesn’t require reservations and is open from 10 am – 3 pm. ➢ L. A Maritime Institute - Doesn’t require reservations and is open from 9 am – 2 pm. ➢ Marine Mammal Care Center – special Scout hours from 9 – 10 am, then Public Hours ➢ S. S. Lane Victory - Doesn’t require reservations and is open from 9 am – 4 pm. ➢ Sweet Susie’s Candy Shop- opens at 11 am. ➢ “Trains, Trains, Trains!”- Doesn’t require reservations and is open from 10 am – 2 pm. ➢ Warner Grand Theater- Not open for interior tours due to a live event on May 15. ➢ Eateries – some close at 2 pm, some at 4 pm. Please begin to plan for an early lunch around 11 -11:30 a.m. as many of these restaurants are small and can fill up with “regulars” at lunch time and we don’t wish to crowd them out.

To register for Marine Mammal Care Center Tours: Group tours are limited by size to groups of 8 so for efficiency and in trying to let as many folks take the tour as possible, try to pre-form your own groups. There are special Scouts only tours (includes Scout families) from 9 – 10 am, then afterwards you may register for the general public slots. I would suggest registering early. To register for tours during special Scout hours: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14j3UAzgUQENHqkU2JY70QXL8HtKfrQyQA54bRkU M6pc/edit#gid=0 The link above will take you to a GOOGLE spreadsheet where you can sign up a group of up to 8 people in 10-minute blocks between 9 – 10 am. If you want to visit later in the day, go on the MMCCLA website to register. Please don’t erase someone else’s reservation. To register for tours during public hours: visit www.MMCCLA.org to register your group of up to 8 members between the hours of 10 am – 2 pm. Visit www.MMCCLA.org. Click on the VISIT tab at the top. On the next screen, click on Reserve My Ticket. Then set the calendar for May 15 and choose an open time slot. All tour groups limited to 8- please try to form your own registration “pods” of 8 for efficiency. DO NOT just show up here and expect to get in without an advance reservation.

Dining hints

Who wants lunch? There are many choices for having lunch on Family Adventure Day. Perhaps you may want to bring along a homemade picnic lunch for the family to enjoy in one of the many beach areas or parks we will be passing through. While driving around San Pedro and Wilmington you will find many choices on your own, including every fast-food restaurant imaginable. But our planning committee has also been driving around San Pedro for days while curating the many stops and has had lunch at many locations. Please be mindful that many of these eateries are smaller in size and need to accommodate their “regulars” for lunch. They are asking us to plan for an earlier lunch time if possible, say 11–11:30 a.m. Following is a list of some favorites: ➢ Anywhere in the Downtown San Pedro area (between Harbor & Pacific, 5th-7th streets. ➢ Buono’s Pizzeria- 222 W. 6th St., San Pedro (Downtown) ➢ Busy Bee Market, 2413 S. Walker Ave, San Pedro (takeout deli only but locally famous) ➢ el taco (slightly upscale version of Taco Bell, take out only currently) 9th & Pacific, San Pedro ➢ Conrad’s Mexican Grill, 376 W. 6th St. ➢ Happy Deli, 5th & Gaffey Streets, San Pedro (small parking lot) ➢ Kalaveras- Mexican food ++, 383 W. 5th street, San Pedro ➢ Pacific Diner, 3821 S. Pacific Ave @ 38th St., San Pedro (Note: a favorite++, but closes at 2 pm) ➢ Sandwich Saloon, 813 S. Gaffey St, San Pedro ➢ San Pedro Café, 605 S. Pacific, San Pedro ➢ Slavco’s Harbor Poultry, 1224 S. Pacific Ave near 12th street. Famed for Chicken Nuggets. ➢ Utro’s, in the old Ports ‘O Call parking lot, adjacent to the Ghost Fish & L A Marine Institute ➢ Walker’s Café, 700 Paseo Del Mar in San Pedro, across the street from Point Fermin Park (Very small, yet incredibly old time cool. It’s in an old Red Car Depot from the 1930s. Expect to wait quite a while for your order, let them know you will be eating in the park. Find an empty picnic table with a free ocean view! Watch for pods of dolphins. If you are hurrying through the stops, you may want to come another day due to the wait. Sometimes it attracts a crowd of bikers- mostly doctors and lawyers having fun, so don’t be dismayed as they are mostly harmless.) ➢ Weinerschnitzel- hot dogs, etc.- the original is in Wilmington, see above. In San Padro @ 230 N. Gaffey St. near the entrance to Vincent Thomas Bridge heading home. ➢ West Coast Philly’s, 1902 S. Pacific, San Pedro ➢ Whale and Ale, 327 W. 7th Street, downtown San Pedro ➢ 22nd Street Landing, 141 West 22nd Street, San Pedro- famed for seafood++

“Trains! Trains! Trains!” Scavenger hunt form, see if you can find these scenes:

Marine Mammal Care Center Donations Requested (should you wish to help further):