San Pedro Bay

Book excerpt: The name aSan Pedro Baya meant Los Angeles Harbor through the 20th century, but the vestiges of that original, rustic, fishing villagealike identity still cling to the port community that, through its proximity to the city of Los Angeles, grew into one of the worldas largest centers of importing and exporting. The bay has served commercial fishermen, the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, the sailing yachts of the very wealthy, and the dinghies of the disenfranchised. Today, tugboats guide gargantuan oceangoing cargo ships under the towering gantry cranes for off-loading, and enormous cruise ships call the Port of Los Angeles home.