Perfect LA Starting Point: Cabrillo Marina
By Connie Motz, MarineFuel.com
With its prime location in San Pedro, Cabrillo Marina is the perfect starting point for any southern California boat outing including Catalina Island which is a mere 19.4 miles away or whale watching in the Catalina Channel from January to March.
Operated by the California Yacht Club and located in the West Channel, Port of Los Angeles, CA, Cabrillo Marina offers 885 permanent docking slips ranging from 25 to 75 feet in length. Operated by California Yacht Marina, Cabrillo Marina offers an inviting atmosphere with friendly employees, well maintained concrete docks, and tons of complimentary parking.
As part of the 370-acre Cabrillo Beach Recreational Complex, guests of Cabrillo Marina can enjoy water sports and swimming at adjacent Cabrillo Beach including use of the historic Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse; kids can visit Cabrillo Museum and the Youth Waterfront Sports Center while the whole family will love the educational fun at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, celebrating 75 years in 2010. The marina is also conveniently located near the Los Angeles Airport and major California freeways.
The Ports O’Call Village adjacent to Cabrillo Marina offers seaside walks on cobblestone streets, boutique shopping, and quaint restaurants with some of the freshest seafood in the Los Angeles area. If you’d rather try and catch your own, popular sport fishing areas are easily accessible from San Pedro while fishing bait and tackle can be purchased at the marina.
Other services available include water hookup; 30–50 AMP electricity; pump-out facilities; secure access; restrooms & showers; laundry facilities; phone hookup; dock carts; lockers; on site fuel dock; dinghy racks; a nearby boat launching ramp on Stephen White Drive; plus yacht club and social events.
If you decide not to stay onboard, the beautiful 3-star Doubletree Hotel San Pedro is tucked between Cabrillo Beach and scenic Cabrillo Marina. Offering spacious accommodations and “first-rate amenities” including high-speed internet access and a heated swimming pool, the Doubletree Hotel San Pedro regularly offers special discounts including family staycation, bed and breakfast, and getaway rates.
If traveling by automobile, Cabrillo Marina can be reached from the north by following 405 South to 110 South, then taking the Harbor Boulevard exit, turning right at 22nd Street, then right onto Via Cabrillo Marina, then left following Whalers Walk to Cabrillo Marina located at 224 Whalers Walk. If traveling from the south, follow 5 Freeway North to 405 North, then onto 110 South, exiting at Harbor mBoulevard, turning right at 22nd Street, then onto Via Cabrillo Marina, following Whalers Walk to the Cabrillo Marina.
As Cabrillo Marina is part of California Yacht Marina (CYM), ‘reciprocal berthing’ is permitted at other CYM locations which include CYM Chula Vista in San Diego, Port Royal in Redondo Beach, and CYM Wilmington/Berth 202 located in the Cerritos Channel.
Flickr.com Photo Credit: Sail Boat Reflections by Shzaknitter
Sources:
CYM Cabrillo Marina
The Port of Los Angeles
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Doubletree Hotel San Pedro