2018 Reunion Info

Check-In can start Tuesday September 25th, 2018.

A YouTube Video intro to Los Angeles Harbor and San Pedro HERE .

Everything you want to know about San Pedro HERE.

►Your Air Travel Options: The hotel is located between 3 major airports. there is no shuttle service provided by the hotel. Watch here for more options as I get them included.

Los Angeles – (LAX) Map to Hotel 45 minutes to Hotel

Long Beach – (LGB) Also known as Daugherty Field Map to Hotel - 35 minutes to Hotel

Orange County – (SNA) Also known as John Wayne Airport or Santa Ana Airport Map to Hotel - 45 Minutes to Hotel

►Tuesday Afternoon – (9-25) The Hospitality Room will open at Noon for arriving guests. Get your packet of maps and event info there.

►Wednesday Morning – (9-26) Hot Breakfast Buffet. Ticket included in packet. Get some coffee and breakfast down.

● Catalina Island - We will be meeting the bus out front for those joining in on the all-day boat trip and island tour. Catalina Island was discovered just a day after San Pedro by Juan Cabrillo. Just 26 miles across the Catalina Channel, the Island is a world apart. The Catalina Express will take visitors on the trip in just about an hour using its high speed comfortable boats. Arriving at Avalon, the Island’s only town, it’s a short walk to the main shopping area with quaint boutiques, interesting restaurants, and great charm. There are opportunities for adventure tours, parasailing, the famous glass bottom boat ride, and much more. $98.50 (includes transportation to and from Catalina Island from the Catalina Terminal and lunch at an Avalon restaurant)

● Hospitality Suite - During the day it will be available for those checking in on Wednesday. There is no scheduled meal for the group but you will discover many restaurants within easy walking distance. Refer to the local map included in your envelope. You can also look HERE for a preview of restaurants near the hotel.

►Thursday Morning – (9-27) Hot Breakfast Buffet. Ticket included in packet.

● Queen Mary Tour and Luncheon. (Website) Departing at ??. You will see the historic Queen Mary, have lunch, and each attendee gets to choose either the ship’s World War II tour or the Princess Diana Exhibition (subject to tour being extended into 2017). And, other tours will be available. The Queen Mary carried more troops than any other ship during World War II. She also carried the most passengers of any ship at any one time, more than 16,000—a record that still stands today. And today she is a floating museum and attraction across San Pedro Bay in Long Beach. The tour begins with pick up at the hotel and commentary about Los Angeles Harbor in World War II as we make our way across two bridges to the ship. At the ship we will be guided through the World War II exhibits that show what life was like for the GIs making their way to war. Afterwards, attendees will have an opportunity to shop and see other exhibits on the ship.

►Thursday Afternoon - Return to your bus and travel to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. This is a great collection of Southern California marine life. Visit their website HERE. As time allows we will travel to Shoreline Village, a charming boardwalk collection of shops and restaurants. Website HERE.

$98.50 covers transportation, admission to Queen Mary and tour, lunch and Aquarium tour.

►Thursday Evening – 6:00PM Welcome Reception at the Hotel. Chef's Choice Hors D'oeuvres – including assorted Cheese Platter, Sliced Fruit and Vegetable Platter, assorted Crackers. Each guest will receive two (2) drink tickets to be used during the hours of 6:00PM - 7:00PM ONLY Guests will be using the drink tickets directly at the Blu Bar in the hotel.

7:00 pm Dinner on own. Suggestions: Whale and Ale British Pub and Raffaelo’s Ristorante. We can request a specific menu for a group or those going can order off the Menu.

►Friday Morning – (9-28) Hot Breakfast Buffet. Ticket included in packet.

● SS Lane Victory - Depart the hotel at ?? and bus to the SS Lane Victory for our Memorial Service and Wreath Ceremony. SS Lane Victory is a living museum and memorial to the services and sacrifices of all Merchant Marine sailors and Navy Armed Guardsmen. She served with distinction during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War as well as in times of peace as part of the merchant fleet. She is a National Historic Landmark and a fully operational ship, but not this year as she will require fabrication of new boiler tubes to get operational. $93.50 Website HERE.

►Friday Afternoon - Tour of San Pedro with lunch at the 22nd St Restaurant.

● USS Iowa, BB-61. After lunch we will move on to a self-guided tour. She is located at the Pacific Battleship Center, very near the hotel. She is a floating museum with immersive exhibits that detail the ships war service. Website HERE.

►Friday Evening - Spirit Cruises Prime Rib Dinner - 2 hour boat ride departing at ?? $64.50 Price Includes: Captain, Crew, Yacht, Food, Soft Drinks, Coffee, Music and Fun! A cash bar is also onboard.

►Saturday Morning - (9-29) Hot Breakfast Buffet. Ticket included in packet.

● General Business Meeting – 9:00 - Hospitality Suite. Next Reunion location discussed.

● After Meeting: Tour Local area. Walking or Hotel shuttle to local attractions.

►Saturday Afternoon – Tour local area – Red Trolley Shuttle Service starts the loop to local attractions at Noon. Roam around the whole area and visit attractions. The Trolley service in and around the LA Waterfront has also been expanded, providing even more mobility for local residents and visitors. Over the last two summers, the San Pedro Business Improvement District has doubled the number of Trolley cars to four. Visit sptrolley.com for a map of the trolley route.

● Points of Interest Map HERE

►Saturday Evening - Banquet Night

● Cash Bar open in the Banquet Room

● Group and Family photos start

● Banquet and Raffle Activities start. Bring a raffle item that represents your home state or the US Navy. We have a lot of great items here to share with each other.

● Dinner options selected:

Salmon: Herb Seasoned, Grilled Salmon served with Béarnaise Sauce– Fresh Seasonal Vegetables -- Rice Pilaf- $68.00

Rib Eye Steak served with Cabernet Porcini Mushroom Sauce, - Fresh Seasonal Vegetables -- Rice Pilaf- $60.00

Dessert: - included - Chocolate Decadence: Chocolate Sponge Cake with a Creamy Chocolate Mousse and Raspberry Sauce.

►Sunday Morning - (9-30) Hot Breakfast Buffet. Ticket included in packet.

● Optional - Leave hotel for the USS Midway (CVB-41), San Diego in carpool or rental cars. (this depends on how many go) Google says 2hr, 8 minutes. This cost will be the admission at the ship and the personal cost of your transportation.

►Other Activities - Plus, all of the other places you always wanted to visit or see (again), such as Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios guided Hollywood tour, (my favorite) La Brea Tar Pits Museum, Warner Bros Studio Tour or Six Flags Magic Mountain.

►Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center – is a popular departure point for West Coast cruise trips. Most of the major cruise companies depart from this location. Visit the website for your post reunion departure plans.

►CRAFTED – At the Port of Los Angeles WEBSITE A year-round handmade marketplace featuring works by SoCal’s best artisans and craftspeople.

►The Banning Museum (Website) 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 Banning Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and the museum shop is open during public tour hours. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 for adults and $1 for children.

►Drum Barracks Civil War Museum (Website)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 of the Drum Barracks are conducted every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 for adults.

►The Fort MacArthur Museum (Website) 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. Ft. MacArthur is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. (Please contact the museum directly for holiday schedules). Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 for adults and $3 children.

►Los Angeles Harbor Fire Museum and Memorial (Website) - 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. Los Angeles Harbor Fire Museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free but donations are gladly accepted.

►Los Angeles Maritime Museum (Website)- 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. The Maritime Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. Children are free.

►Muller House (Website)- In 1899, Edward Mahar built a home at 129 Front Street for his parents who resided in Wilmington. They chose not to move to the new home. Shipbuilder William Muller then purchased the home in 1901 for his growing family. In 1912, Front Street was bulldozed and widened to become Harbor Boulevard. At this time Muller’s house was relocated by mule and wagon to 19th Street and Grand Avenue. Over time, upgrades were made to keep up with early 20th-century modernizations. With the support of the Historical Society, the house was declared Cultural Heritage Monument No. 254 in 1982. It remained at 19th and Grand until 1986 when it was donated to the San Pedro Bay Historical Society for use as a museum. Moved once more, it was renovated by the Society and opened to the public in the fall of 1990. The house now sits on a bluff overlooking San Pedro Bay on land leased from the City of Los Angeles and maintained by the Society. The museum offers guided tours, monthly exhibits, discussions of historical interest and special events. The Muller House is open on the first and second Sunday of the month, from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $3 per person.

►Point Fermin Lighthouse (Website)- 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. Pt. Fermin Lighthouse is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free and donations are welcomed.