San Pedro is connected to Los Angeles by a thin strip of land called the "Harbor Gateway" which roughly follows the 110 freeway.

San Pedro is a beach community within Los Angeles, California, USA. It was annexed in 1909 and is a major seaport of the area. The town has grown from being dominated by the fishing industry to become primarily a working class town within the City of Los Angeles. The name of the town is pronounced by its residents, even its Hispanic residents, as [ˌsæn ˈpidroʊ] (in IPA) rather than its Spanish pronunciation (IPA: [samˈpeðɾo]).

Geography

San Pedro is located at 33°44′9″N, 118°17′32″W (33.73583, -118.29139).¹

Climate

The city is situated in a Mediterranean climate zone (Köppen climate classification), experiencing mild, wet winters and warm to hot summers. Breezes from the Pacific Ocean tend to keep the beach community cooler in summer and warmer in winter than those in further inland Los Angeles; summer temperatures can sometimes be as much as 18 °F (10 °C) warmer in the inland communities compared to that of San Pedro and other Los Angeles coastal communities. The area also sees a phenomenon known as the "marine layer," a dense cloud cover caused by the proximity of the ocean that helps keep the temperatures cooler throughout the year. When the marine layer becomes more common and pervades farther inland during the months of May and June, it is called June Gloom.

History

San Pedro in an 1850 daguerreotype, Deadman's Island is at the top

San Pedro in an 1893 lithograph

The site, at the southern end of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, on the west side of San Pedro Bay, was used by Spanish ships starting in the 1540s.

Origin of name

San Pedro was named after St. Peter of Alexandria, a 4th century bishop in Alexandria, Egypt. His feast day is November 24, the day on which Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered the bay in 1542 which would become "San Pedro." Santa Catalina Island, named after St. Katherine of Sinai, was also claimed for the Spanish Empire the next day, on her feast day, November 25th. In 1602-1603, Sebastián Vizcaíno (1548-1624) officially surveyed and mapped the California coastline, including San Pedro Bay, for New Spain.

Settlement

Regular settlement began in 1769 as part of the effort to populate California, although trade restrictions encouraged more smuggling than regular business. The Rancho San Pedro is the site of the first Spanish land grant in Alta California, New Spain. The land was granted in 1784 by King Carlos III to Juan Jose Dominguez, a retired Spanish soldier who came to California with the Gaspar de Portolà expedition.

When New Spain won its independence from the Spanish Empire and Alta California became part of Mexico, the trade restrictions were lifted, and the town flourished. Under United States control after 1848, when the United States defeated Mexico in the Mexican-American war, the harbor was greatly improved and expanded under the guidance of Phineas Banning. San Pedro became a major port of the West Coast and is now the busiest port in the country.

In 1888, the War Department took control of a tract of land next to the bay and added to it in 1897 and 1910. This became Fort MacArthur in 1914 and was a coastal defense site for many years. Many other facilities were established in the San Pedro area, and it was a popular port of call for U.S. Navy ships, especially during World War II. The town became a well known watering hole for sailors and Marines during leave and established a reputation as a rough-and-tumble town that, to a certain extent, it still maintains today.

Los Angeles Annexation

In 1906, the City of Los Angeles annexed a long narrow strip of land connecting the city to the coast, and in 1909, the city annexed San Pedro and the adjacent town of Wilmington. The odd shape is still seen in the map of the city.

Port of Los Angeles

Vincent Thomas Bridge

The Angel's Gate Lighthouse has stood at the entrance to the port since 1913.

Satellite Image- San Pedro.

Main article: Port of Los Angeles

San Pedro, Wilmington, and Terminal Island are the locations of the Port of Los Angeles.

Locations of interest

One San Pedro landmark is the Vincent Thomas Bridge, a 1,500-foot- long suspension bridge linking San Pedro with Terminal Island and named after California Assemblyman Vincent Thomas. It is the third longest suspension bridge in California. Nearby is the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, the largest maritime museum in California, as is the museum ship SS Lane Victory, a fully operational victory ship of World War II and National Historic Landmark.

The Frank Gehry-designed Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is also in San Pedro. The Point Fermin Lighthouse, a Victorian-era structure built in the late 19th century, still exists as a museum and park on a bluff overlooking the ocean. The Korean Bell of Friendship is a massive bronze memorial bell donated by South Korea in 1976 to the people of Los Angeles.

The Korean Bell of Friendship.

In 2003, the San Pedro Waterfront Red Car Line was opened, along the waterfront between downtown San Pedro and the Cruise Ship Terminal. This line includes two newly constructed trolleys built to resemble the wood-bodied 500 class cars introduced in 1905 for the Pacific Electric Railway, which once operated more than 1,000 miles of track running streetcars and interurbans in Southern California. The 1.5-mile line operates along former Pacific Electric right-of-way. The line, rebuilt and maintained by the Port of Los Angeles, also has one original restored Pacific Electric interurban, which is used only for special charter excursions and special events. The original car is in fact Pacific Electric 963 (former Los Angeles Pacific 713 as built in 1907) rebuilt by Richard Fellows and renumbered 1058. Discussions have been held to extend the line to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Port of LA Waterfront Red Car Line

Twenty-Eighth Street in San Pedro, between Gaffey Street and Peck Avenue, is the steepest section of public roadway in Los Angeles. For about 50 feet, the street climbs at a 33.3% angle, although the rest of the street is less steep. [1]

Special events

• Annual Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade: the 2006 parade was the 43rd edition.
• Annual Holiday Spirit of San Pedro Parade: the 2006 parade was the 27th
• Annual Taste of San Pedro, held at Point Fermin Park. The event features local restaurants and musicians.
• Annual Chocolate Lobster Dive-a-Thon, held at Cabrillo Beach where participants SCUBA dive for "chocolate lobsters" for prizes.
• First Thursday Artwalk & Dining, held in Downtown San Pedro on Sixth and Seventh Streets between Pacific Avenue and Mesa.
• Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture, held at Point Fermin Park. Now in its 16th year, FPAC is the largest presenter of Philippine arts and culture in Southern California presenting over 1200 artists in 9 disciplines and attracting over 20,000 audience members from all over the country. The event will be September 8 & 9.

Demographic history

Ethnically diverse, San Pedro was a magnet for European immigrants from various countries for years, reflected in the number of restaurants representing diverse cuisines, especially Croatian, Portuguese, Mexican, Italian, and Greek. San Pedro is home to the largest Italian-American community in Southern California, centered on the "Via Italia" (South Cabrillo Avenue). Estimates state that the community numbers about 45,000 Italian-Americans. San Pedro is also considered a heart of the Croatian community in Los Angeles. This community, originally comprised of seafarers and fishermen from the Dalmatia (especially the islands of Brač, Hvar, Vis and Korčula) region, has been present in San Pedro since the settlement began more than 200 years ago. The City of Los Angeles even named a stretch of 9th Street "Croatian Place" in honor of the city's old Croatian community. There are reportedly more than 35,000 Croats in San Pedro, making it the biggest Croatian community on the Pacific.[2].

A large portion of San Pedro is also composed of Mexican-Americans with long-time roots in the community, Mexican and other Hispanic immigrants, and African-Americans. Much of their populations are based in the older, east side of the community surrounding the downtown area and bordering the Port of Los Angeles.

Until February 1942, San Pedro was home to a vibrant Japanese immigrant community of about 3,000 people who lived in what had been described as a" typical Japanese Fishing Village" on Terminal Island (East San Pedro).

These Japanese immigrants pioneered albacore fishing out of San Pedro Bay and harvesting abalone off of White Point,thus leading the way in establishing a viable fishing industry in San Pedro.

The 48-hour forced expulsion of these San Pedro residents and the razing of their homes and shops, as part of the Japanese-American internment during World War II, is described in Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston's memoir Farewell to Manzanar.

Ethnicity & race

(Population 72,146) The racial make up of San Pedro according to the 2000 U.S. Census data is 63.02% Caucasian (Croatian, Italian, Hispanic-Whites, Middle Eastern) 18.45% Black, 1.02% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 4.78% Asian, 0.40% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, 18.02% some other race, and 6.30% two or more races. Separate from those statistics, 12.14% of "Caucasians" identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 20.41% as "Caucasian" alone, not Hispanic or Latino. [3]

Education

San Pedro is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. San Pedro High School and the Port of Los Angeles High School are primary senior high schools within the region. San Pedro High School is home to the protected landmarks in the form of The English Language Arts and Administration Buildings (c. 1939, 1936, resp.). The school recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2003. It is home to both the Marine Science and Police Academy Magnet programs. Port of Los Angeles High School is a public charter high school, fusing a college preparatory program with elective coursework in International Business and Maritime Studies. Such studies reinforce the significant impact of California’s ports on the global economy and international trade.

Test scores tend to be higher in the area's elementary schools than in its middle and high schools [4].

Primary Schools (Grades 1-5)

• 15th Street Elementary [5] [6]
• Bandini Elementary [7]
• Barton Hill Elementary [8] [9]
• Cabrillo Early Education Center [10]
• Cabrillo Elementary [11]
• Leland Elementary [12]
• Park Western Harbor Magnet [13]
• Point Fermin Elementary [14]
• San Pedro/Wilmington Early Education Center [15]
• South Shores Magnet for the Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School
• Taper Elementary [16] [17]
• Taper Avenue Elementary Technology Magnet Center [18]
• White Point Elementary [19]

Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12)

• Dana Middle School [20] [21]
• San Pedro High School [22] [23]
  • San Pedro High School Marine Science Magnet [24]
  • San Pedro High School Police Academy [25]

Port of Los Angeles High School

Private Schools (Grades 9-12)

• Mary Star of the Sea High School [26]

Continuation Schools

• Angel's Gate Continuation High [27]
• Cooper Community Day School [28]
• Harbor Community Adult School [29]
• Harbor Occupational Center [30]

Libraries

Los Angeles Public Library operates the San Pedro Branch.

In the media

Film

• San Pedro, California is a very popular location for filming. Films shot in San Pedro include:
  • The Most Dangerous Game is a 1932 film adaptation of the 1924 short story of the same name by Richard Connell. [31]
  • Landmark black-and-white horror-adventure film King Kong (1933 film). [32]
  • Iconic 1936 comedy film by Charles Chaplin about the Great Depression, Modern Times. [33]
  • Classic 1937 comedy film Nothing Sacred. [34]
  • Acamedy Award nominated American film The Long Voyage Home released in 1940 and directed by John Ford. [35]
  • Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc. (1941) the Republic Movie serial.
  • Raging Bull It stars Robert De Niro, who won an Academy Award for the part, as Jake LaMotta. [36]
  • Escape from the Planet of the Apes is a 1971 science fiction film starring Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, and Bradford Dillman. It is the second sequel to the Planet of the Apes movie of 1968, the first sequel being Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). [37]
  • Chinatown the 1974 film directed by Roman Polanski featuring many elements of the film noir genre, particularly a multi-layered story that is part mystery and part psychological drama. The movie won several high-profile awards, including an Academy Award in 1975 for Best Writing and Original Screenplay for Robert Towne. [38]
  • Private Benjamin the 1980 comedy film which tells the story of Judy, a wealthy Jewish woman, who joins the army when her new husband dies on their wedding night. Nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Goldie Hawn), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Eileen Brennan) and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. [39]
  • Swing Shift is a 1984 feature film directed by Jonathan Demme and produced by and starring Goldie Hawn with Kurt Russell. It also starred Christine Lahti. [40]
  • To Live and Die in L.A. is a neo-noir American film released in 1985 and directed by William Friedkin. The movie is based on the novel written by former Secret Service Agent Gerald Petievich, who co-wrote the screenplay with Friedkin. The picture stars William L. Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Turturro, John Pankow, and others. The film tells the story of how two U.S. Secret Service agents set out to arrest a counterfeiter, using any means necessary. The agents don't let the law stand in their way. [41]
  • Wanted: Dead or Alive is a 1987 film directed by Gary Sherman and starring Rutger Hauer as Nick Randall, the descendant of the character played by Steve McQueen in the television series of the same name. [42]
  • The 1987 film Some Kind of Wonderful stars Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, and Mary Stuart Masterson. It was one of the many successful teen dramas written by John Hughes in the 1980s, although this one was directed by Howard Deutch. The film's title comes from a song written by John Ellison that was a hit for Grand Funk Railroad. [43]
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master is the fourth film in the A Nightmare on Elm Street series. It was released in 1988. The film was directed by Renny Harlin. [44]
  • The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a 1988 comedy film, the first in a series of movies starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, and O.J. Simpson. [45]
  • Colors the 1988 film starring Sean Penn and Robert Duvall and directed by Dennis Hopper. The rest of the cast includes stars such as: Glenn Plummer, Grand L. Bush, Don Cheadle, Damon Wayans, Leon Robinson, and Maria Conchita Alonso. [46]
  • The Abyss is a 1989 science fiction film which was written and directed by James Cameron, starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn. The film won the 1990 Oscar for Best Visual Effects. It was also nominated for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Cinematography and Best Sound. The studio lobbied hard to get Michael Biehn nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, but to no avail. The Abyss was nominated for many other awards, such as by Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films and the American Society of Cinematographers. It ended up winning a total of three other awards from these organizations. [47]
  • The Hunt for Red October the 1990 film based on the best-selling novel of the same name. [48]
  • Boyz in the Hood, rapper Ice Cubes first production film in 1991.
  • Successful 1992 film A Few Good Men, starring the star packed cast of Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Bacon, J.T. Walsh and Kiefer Sutherland. [49]
  • Clear and Present Danger the 1994 film directed by Phillip Noyce, based on the book of the same name by Tom Clancy; starring Harrison Ford. [50]
  • Heat the 1995 remake of L.A. Takedown, a 1989 made-for-television film written and directed by Michael Mann. Critical and commercial success, grossing $187,436,818 worldwide. [51]
  • Outbreak (1995) is a suspense film starring Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey. The film was directed by Wolfgang Petersen. In addition, Outbreak features Cuba Gooding Jr., Donald Sutherland, and Patrick Dempsey. [52]
  • A Walk in the Clouds the 1995 romance film directed by Alfonso Arau and produced by the Zucker brothers; it is a remake of a 1942 Italian film of the same title. It stars Keanu Reeves, Giancarlo Giannini, Anthony Quinn and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón. [53]
  • The Usual Suspects is a 1995 American film written by Christopher McQuarrie (who earned an Oscar for the screenplay) and directed by Bryan Singer. It stars Kevin Spacey (who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance), Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, Pete Postlethwaite, Benicio del Toro and Kevin Pollak.[54]
  • The Crossing Guard is a 1995 independent film directed and written by American actor Sean Penn. It stars Jack Nicholson, David Morse, Anjelica Huston and Robin Wright Penn. [55]
  • Freeway the 1996 thriller film starring Reese Witherspoon, Kiefer Sutherland and Brooke Shields. The movie is a black comedy loosely modeled after the story of Little Red Riding Hood. [56]
  • 1996 Academy Award nominated action film The Rock. [57]
  • Face/Off the 1997 critical and financial successful action thriller film, starring John Travolta and Nicola Cage. [58]
  • Beverly Hills Ninja the 1997 film starring Chris Farley as a bumbling Beverly Hills ninja. Written by Mark Feldberg and Mitchell Klebanoff and directed by Dennis Dugan, the film was released the same year of Chris Farley's death. Also stars Nicollette Sheridan, Robin Shou, Nathaniel Parker, Soon-Tek Oh, Keith Cooke, and Chris Rock. [59]
  • Batman & Robin the fourth and final installment in the comic book-inspired film series initiated by Tim Burton, and the second directed by Joel Schumacher. Released in 1997, it starred George Clooney as Batman and Chris O'Donnell returning as Robin, and introduced Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), a niece of Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred (Michael Gough). The villains in this movie are Poison Ivy, played by Uma Thurman, Mr. Freeze, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger (who received top billing for this film), and Bane, played by Jeep Swenson. [60]
  • Amistad is a 1997 Steven Spielberg film based on a slave mutiny that took place aboard a ship of the same name in 1839, and the illegal activity that followed. Starred Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, amd Djimon Hounsou. Nominated for the Academy award in: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Anthony Hopkins, Best Cinematography, Janusz Kaminski, Best Costume Design, Ruth Carter, Best Music, Original Dramatic Score, John Williams. [61]
  • Highest grossing film of all time, 1997 romantic drama film Titanic, by James Cameron. [62]
  • The Lost World: Jurassic Park the 1997 science fiction film and the second Jurassic Park film as part of the Jurassic Park franchise. [63]
  • Wild Things is a 1998 erotic crime film starring Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Denise Richards, Neve Campbell and Bill Murray. It was directed by John McNaughton. [64]
  • The Thin Red Line is a 1998 war film which tells the story of United States forces during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. It marked Terrence Malick's return to filmmaking after a twenty-year absence. [65]
  • Fight Club the 1999 feature film adaptation of the 1996 novel Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk; adapted by Jim Uhls, directed by David Fincher, and starring Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meat Loaf. [66]
  • Gone in Sixty Seconds the 2000 action film, starring Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, and Robert Duvall; directed by Dominic Sena, and written by Scott Rosenberg. It was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and is a remake of the 1974 H.B. Halicki film Gone in 60 Seconds. [67]
  • Charlie's Angels (2000) is an action/comedy film based on (and something of a sequel to) the 1970s television series Charlie's Angels. The angels were played by Cameron Diaz (Natalie Cook), Drew Barrymore (Dylan Sanders), and Lucy Liu (Alex Munday). [68]
  • U-571 is a 2000 movie directed by Jonathan Mostow, and starring Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, Jon Bon Jovi, Jack Noseworthy, Will Estes, and Tom Guiry. In the movie, a German submarine is boarded in 1942 by disguised American submariners seeking to capture its Enigma cipher machine. [69]
  • One Night at McCool's the 2001 dark comedy, directed by Harald Zwart and starring Matt Dillon, Michael Douglas, Paul Reiser, John Goodman, Liv Tyler,Reba McEntire and Andrew Dice Clay. [70]
  • The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear the 2001 sequal to the 1988 film The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! was also filmed in San Pedro. [71]
  • Catch Me If You Can the 2002 motion picture set in the 1960s. It was directed by Steven Spielberg and adapted by Jeff Nathanson loosely from the book by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding. The lead actors were Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, with a supporting role by Christopher Walken. Williams and Walken were nominated for Academy Awards. [72]
  • Red Dragon, a 2002 thriller film, based on the novel of the same name written by Thomas Harris featuring the brilliant psychiatrist and serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter. [73]
  • A Man Apart the 2003 action film starring Vin Diesel and directed by F. Gary Gray. [74]
  • The Shape of Things is a play by American author and film director Neil LaBute apapted to a 2003 American movie. Starring Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz, Gretchen Mol, and Fred Weller. [75]
  • 50 First Dates the 2004 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore and directed by Peter Segal. Other cast members included Rob Schneider and Sean Astin. [76]
  • The Black Dahlia the Academy Award-nominated 2006 film directed by Brian De Palma. It is based on the novel of the same name by James Ellroy, which was based on the murder of Elizabeth Short. [77]
• Projects in production to be filmed in San Pedro.
  • Wanted set to release in 2009. Starring Jennifer Aniston. [78]

Television

• The O.C.(2003)
  • TV-Series 2003-2007
• The popular television show The O.C. filmed on location in San Pedro; footage taken include 5 scenes in 4 different episodes.
  • Season 1, Episode 21: "The Goodbye Girl" [79]
  • Season 1, Episode 24: "The Proposal" [80]
  • Season 1, Episode 24: "The Proposal" [81]
  • Season 3, Episode 5: "The Perfect Storm" [82]
  • Season 3, Episode 1:"The Aftermath" [83]
• Covert Action (2002)
  • TV-Series 2002-2003 [84]
• Robbery Homicide Division (2002)
  • TV-Series 2002-2003 [85]
• 24 (2001)
  • TV-Series 2001-???? [86]
• Alias (2001)
  • TV-Series 2001-2006 [87]
• Fear Factor (2001)
  • TV-Series 2001-2006 [88]
• Power Rangers in Space (1998)
  • TV-Series 1998-1999 [89]
• Riptide (1984)
  • TV-Series 1984-1986 [90]
• Cousin Skeeter (1998) [91]
• 240-Robert (1979)
  • TV-Series 1979-1981 [92]
• Waterfront (1954)
  • TV-Series 1954-1956 [93]

Press

• Many city residents subscribe to or purchase the local newspaper, the Daily Breeze. In 2003, it created a weekly, More San Pedro, in the San Pedro Harbor Area.
  • Other papers available for subscription or purchase include the Los Angeles Times and the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
    • Don't forget the local indie, Random Lengths News [94]

Notable residents

Point Fermin Lighthouse, built in the 19th century, functioned as one of the harbor's two principal lighthouses.

Art

• Elmer Batters, nylon/foot fetish photographer
• Mark Machado, better known as "Mister Cartoon", prolific tattoo artist, studio set and CD cover illustrator, co-creator of the Joker line of clothing, jewelry, and leather wear.

Acting

• Mike Lookinland, who played the youngest brother, Bobby Brady, on "The Brady Bunch" television series from 1969 until 1974, lived in San Pedro while a child actor.
• Patrick Muldoon, had regular reoccurring roles in the well-known soap operas " Days of Our Lives " and " Melrose Place ". Starred in 1997 film "Starship Troopers".
• Sharon Tate, actress and wife of Roman Polanski, brutally murdered by the "Manson Family".
• D.L. Hughley, comedian and actor. Attended San Pedro High School. Currently starring in the NBC series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip."

Music

• Ambrosia: Well-known classic rock band with top 40 hits including "You're the Biggest Part of Me" and "(Thats) How Much I Feel".
• John Bettis: Lyricist for many big artists including: Micheal Jackson, Madonna, The Carpenters, Whitney Houston and others. He has won an Emmy award and has been nominated for an Oscar for his work on the Godfather III theme song.
• Minutemen: the band members for the influential and eclectic punk rock band grew up in San Pedro and the band was formed there. Bassist/songwriter Mike Watt still lives in San Pedro and is an active participant in its music scene. Drummer George Hurley still lives in San Pedro, as well.
• Krist Novoselic, the bassist of Nirvana, grew up in San Pedro before moving to Aberdeen, Washington.
• Jack Anthony, singer/songwriter and lead singer of the Jack Anthony band, was born and raised in San Pedro and has released several punk/rock/pop albums and one EP which contains a song entitled "Averill Park", named after a local San Pedro park. In 2006 MTV filmed a reality show called "Garage Band Makeover" with the band.
• Art Pepper, Jazz saxophonist, was born and raised there.
• Brenton Wood, singer and songwriter, his biggest hit "Gimme Little Sign" reached #9 on the pop charts in 1967.
• Eric Erlandson, co-founder of and lead guitarist for 90's rock/grunge band Hole. 1981 graduate of San Pedro High School. He also attended Holy Trinity Catholic School, Dana Junior High School (now Middle School) and Los Angeles Harbor College.

Politics

• John S. Gibson, Jr., a Los Angeles City Councilman, lived there until his death in 1981.
• James Hahn, former Mayor of Los Angeles, is a current resident.
• Janice Hahn, current City Councilwoman for the 15th district.
• Xavier Hermosillo, former Chief of Staff for the State of California Republican Party. Former award-winning newsprint reporter, television commentator and radio talk show host.
• Joe Hill, a radical songwriter, labor activist, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World, lived and worked in San Pedro in the early years of the 20th Century and here began his labor organizing years.
• Yuri Kochiyama, civil rights activist & Nobel Peace prize nominee. Held a dying Malcolm X in her arms after an assassin had shot him.
• Mike Lansing, school board member for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Also the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Harbor Boys and Girls Club.

Sports

• Joe Amalfitano, long-time 3rd base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Part of the 1981 and 1988 World Series championship teams.
• Alan Ashby, gold-glove winning catcher for the Houston Astros in the 1970'-1980's.
• Denise Austin, Fitness guru
• Ronnie Barber Sr., played tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the old AFL.
• James Cotton, ex-CSULB basketball standout. Sharpshooting guard was selected in the 2nd round by the Seattle Supersonics in the 1997 NBA Draft. Played 2 seasons for Seattle.
• Joe Danelo, ex-kicker for the New York Giants.
• Mario Danelo, record setting ex-placekicker for the 2006 NCAA national champion USC Trojans tragically fell to his death in the cliffs overlooking Santa Catalina Island in San Pedro in 2007.
• Gary Gabelich, set the Guinness Book of World Records driving his rocket-powered "Blue Flame" vehicle for a world land speed record of 622.287 M.P.H. at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah on October 23, 1970. Record stood for 13 years.