The city of stars that always entertains – an expert guide to LA

What to see and do 

Given the port is such a distance out of town, this is one destination where you’re probably best served by taking an organised excursion from the ship. And if you’re in port for just a few hours, your options are fairly limited. 

What can I do in four hours or less?

If you want a quick adrenalin rush there are – fairly pricey – helicopter flights along the coast. Another possibility is a visit to Naples Beach. It’s in easy reach of San Pedro port (and even closer to the Long Beach Terminal) and it’s a pretty spot with canals and Spanish-style houses that date back 100 years (ancient by LA standards). Long Beach itself has plenty of attractions including the Aquarium of the Pacific and, of course, the Queen Mary – the ship has been permanently docked here since 1967 and, as the last name in elegance when she was built in the 1930s, is well worth a visit.

What can I do in eight hours or less? 

Los Angeles is often the final destination of a cruise and the airport you’ll fly home from, so many ship excursions work on the basis that you finish up at LAX after a day of sightseeing. Norwegian Cruise Line does this, offering an LA highlights trip including the Downtown area, Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Another option combines the famous beaches (Santa Monica and Venice) with Beverly Hills.