Whether you’re a Tourist or a Townie, there’s always something different and fun to do in the Los Angeles area. But the cost of fun in the City of Angels can add up fast. Below is number 22 in a series of 25 things to do in Los Angeles that will cost $25 or less.
If you drove down to San Pedro to do a morning whale watch (SEE Number 24), why not spend an extra hour or two in San Pedro to explore the USS Iowa in the Port of Los Angeles?
The USS Iowa was the lead battleship in her class and was the only ship of her class to have served in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. In 1943, she carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic to Algeria for a crucial meeting in Tehran with Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin. At that time, a bathtub and an elevator were installed for Roosevelt to allow accessibility between decks. In 1944, the Iowa was transferred to the Pacific Fleet, where she shelled beachheads at Kwajalein and Eniwetok in advance of Allied amphibious landings. In the Korean War, she participated in raids along the North Korean coast.
After being decommissioned several times, the USS Iowa was decommissioned for good in 1990. In 2011, she was donated to the Los Angeles-based non-profit Pacific Battleship Center. She was moved to her permanent home at Berth 87 in the Port of Los Angeles in 2012 where she opened to the public as a museum and battleship memorial. There are a variety of tours available to the public. Check the website (http://www.pacificbattleship.com/page/toursandprograms) for more information.
The USS Iowa is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last ticket sold at 4:00 pm. You can purchase tickets in advance at http://www.pacificbattleship.com/ or at the box office. Ticket prices:
• General Admission Adult (Ages 18-61) $18.00
• General Admission Youth (Ages 6-17) $10.00
• General Admission Seniors (Ages 62+) $15.00
• Gen Admission Active/Ret/Reserve Military (w/ID) $15.00
The ship is not ADA accessible, but accessibility is in the process of being improved. At this time, however, wheelchairs are not allowed on deck.
The USS Iowa is easy to find. She’s at Berth 87 in San Pedro, but you can see her from Harbor Boulevard. Just pull into the parking lot adjacent to the ship. Parking will cost you $1.00 per hour.
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 1
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 2
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 3
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 4
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 5
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 6
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 7
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 8
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 9
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 10
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 11
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 12
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 13
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 14
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 15
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 16
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 17
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 18
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 19
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 20
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 21
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 22
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 23
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 24
25 Things to Do in Los Angeles for $25 or Less – Number 25