Battleship USS Iowa Museum
4.8(8.7K)google
4.5(560)yelp
WarshipMilitaryHistoryEducational
Overview
Permanently docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, the Battleship USS Iowa Museum offers an immersive journey through American naval history. Known as the 'Battleship of Presidents,' this legendary surface combatant served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Visitors can tour the massive wooden decks, marvel at the towering 16-inch guns, explore the captain's cabin used by Franklin D. Roosevelt, and learn about daily sailor life through interactive high-tech exhibits and historical guided tours.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeAn early visit from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM during spring or autumn is ideal. The sea breeze at the Port of San Pedro is crisp, and morning light beautifully illuminates the massive 16-inch guns. Arriving early ensures clear, uncrowded pathways inside the narrow armored bulkheads.
Getting ThereLocated at Pier 87 in San Pedro, South LA. Drive south to the end of Interstate 110 and follow signs for Harbor Blvd. A large paid surface parking lot is available right next to the ship. Via transit, ride the Metro Silver Line (Bus 910/950) from Downtown LA.
Travel Tips
- Located next to the LA Cruise Terminal, exploring this warship requires navigating steep, narrow, near-vertical military ladders; it is highly discouraged for visitors with limited mobility, large strollers, or high heels.
- The steel structures trap intense heat in summer and lower decks have limited ventilation; wearing strong sunblock and non-slip closed-toe sneakers is critical as some metal decks can be slippery.
- Pierside luggage lockers are available near the aft brow, ideal for cruise passengers; general admission includes the kids' Vicky the Dog scavenger hunt app game with no hidden fees.
Reviews
Positive
- Stepping aboard the legendary 'Battleship of Presidents' and seeing the massive 16-inch guns up close delivers an incredible, awe-inspiring visual impact.
- The self-guided tour app is wonderfully designed and highly informative, featuring a fun scavenger hunt with Vicky the dog mascot that keeps kids and adults entertained.
- Many onboard docents are US Navy veterans whose personal stories and insider historical details make the entire tour deeply authentic and engaging.
- Located at the San Pedro waterfront, parking is incredibly easy with plentiful open lots that are much cheaper than options in downtown Los Angeles.
- Boarding this legendary battleship provides an immense visual impact and a chance to touch history; the military exhibits live up to the hype and are highly educational.
- The audio tour via the official app is excellent, and many passionate veteran volunteers on-site love sharing authentic stories from their service days.
- The decks and main tour pathways are kept very clean and tidy; for a century-old vessel, the facilities are remarkably well-managed.
- The surrounding pier offers ample parking at reasonable rates, making it much more convenient and accessible than downtown LA, where parking costs a fortune.
Heads up
- The general access pass only covers the decks and upper cabins; the most exciting areas like the engine room and gun turret interior require buying expensive guided tours.
- The interior passageways are narrow with extremely steep ladders and high thresholds, making it very physically challenging for seniors, toddlers, or anyone requiring accessibility.
- The steel hull and certain un-airconditioned enclosed spaces get incredibly hot and stuffy in the summer, making heat exhaustion a real risk under the sun.
- The attraction is far removed from the core tourist hubs of LA and Hollywood; relying on public transit instead of driving can waste hours on a one-way trip.
- As it is a historic warship, the interior compartments have many narrow, steep ladders, making it very unfriendly for the elderly, toddlers, or anyone requiring wheelchair accessibility.
- The general admission ticket is on the pricier side, and you have to pay extra for VIP guided tours to access deeper areas like the engine rooms.
- Some enclosed cabins inside the ship get extremely hot and stuffy in the summer due to limited ventilation, and the signage can occasionally cause you to lose your way in the labyrinthine corridors.