Month: November 2008

Los Angeles Fire Department Museum


This past weekend we had the pleasure of daytripping in San Pedro and we discovered a little gem of a museum. It’s the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and your little ones are going to love it. There are actually two fire department museums – one in Hollywood and the other in San Pedro.

The San Pedro museums is located across the street from the Los Angeles Maritime museum and is only open on Saturday from 10am to 3pm. The Hollywood museum is also only open on Saturdays from 10 am to 4pm. The Hollywood museum is located near the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Bowl.

The Hollywood museum (Old Fire Station 27) is housed in what was once the largest fire station west of the Mississippi. With more than 20,000 square feet of space, a number of famous pieces of firefighting apparatus, and hundreds of artifacts on display, there’s something for the entire family.

If you’re interested in local L.A. history then you must visit the San Pedro Harbor Museum (Old Fire Station 36). There is no better place to get the genuine feeling of what it was like to work in a small community fire station. Much of the interior is just as it was 75 years ago. Not only that, but inside, you’ll find a perfectly restored 1923 Seagrave Fire Engine that actually served at 36s in the early 1900s. The museums have a group of dedicated, friendly retired firefighter docents who can show you around, tell you a story or two.

It’s a great little place and all the little ones will leave with their very own fire fighter hat which they will love!! If you visit the one in San Pedro hop on the red car and make a day of it by visiting the maritime museum and the water show. Trust me your kiddos will love it.

San Pedro Museum
638 Beacon Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
323-464-2727
Open
Saturday 10am to 3pm

Hollywood Museum
1355 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-464-2727
Open
Saturday 10am to 4pm

Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line

This past Saturday our family had the opportunity to take a little excursion to San Pedro and ride a red car. What is a red car you might be wondering? Well let me tell you- For sixty years, the Los Angeles area was served by a vast network of electric railway lines operated by the Pacific Electric Railway. Affectionately known as “Red Cars”, the Pacific Electric’s trolleys and interurban cars blanketed the Los Angeles area on more than 1000 miles of rail lines. The last remnant of the system was abandoned in 1961. Forty-two years later, a small piece of the system has been resurrected in San Pedro, as the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line.

We first spent some time at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum which I will be posting about tomorrow and soon after started our ride on one of the historic red cars. The one and a half mile route connects the cruise ship terminal with the maritime museum and ports o’call village. We rode the train from the start of the route to the end of the route and back again. The kids had so much fun. The conductor gave them their very own conductor hats and coloring book that they were both thrilled with. It’s a great little adventure for the little ones. Parking is plentiful and free next to the maritime museum and in the ports o’call village. Children 6 and under are free and adult fare is $1.00 with unlimited rides all day.
The red car operates Friday through Monday from noon to 9pm.

P.S. Make sure to make a pit stop at the Fanfare at the San Pedro Gateway. It’s a great water show- kind of like a smaller version of the Bellagio water fountain show and also a stop at the cruise center to view the big cruise ships. Your kids will love it!!

We had a great time and I know your family will also!!
For additional information click here

Winner!!

Jane who posted pick me PICK ME. My family would LOVE, LOVE to go and I would also invite my parents. We are all big DOG lovers…! I have two LABS and my parents have a Lasa Apso {can’t spell}.THANKS for the chance.. was randomly selected and won a 4 pack to the AKC/Eukanuba National Dog Championship and Dog Show- email me at mom@daytrippingmom.com with your info 🙂