Day Trippin’ to Sunken City
This stretch of broken, washed away land is the closest you may ever get to Atlantis! Are you ready to explore? Grab some water, some really sturdy shoes, and let’s head out, shall we?
Head out on the 110 toward San Pedro and exit Gaffey Street. Follow Gaffey until it turns into Paseo Del Mar and park around/near Point Fermin Lighthouse. If you’re hungry grab a bite at Walker’s Cafe. This cafe is a great piece of San Pedro history! The building that houses Walker’s was built in 1913 to serve as a turn around station for the Red Line trolley. Walker’s was opened in 1946 and has been going strong ever since!
Once you’re done getting your grub on, head directly across Paseo Del Mar to the cement fence that keeps you from plummeting into the ocean. Now, here is where you will use great CAUTION. This terrain is very steep and dangerous. This is also considered trespassing. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!
After you carefully hop over the cement fence you will pass directly under a small opening in the metal fence and walk a short distance to Sunken City.
A bit of history: Sunken City was built in the early 1920’s as an exclusive community of beach bungalows, offering dynamite views of the ocean. By 1929, the ocean waves were eating away at the bluffs, and sending the land crumbling into the ocean at nearly a foot per day!
Today the land consists of broken up streets and sidewalks and draws everyone from street artists, sun tanners, to sketchy folks up to no good. Use caution while walking around as there’s a lot of broken glass scattered about.
Despite the numerous and huge trespassing signs there’s no shortage of adventurers milling around. In fact, in order to make this a safe destination, a city councilman has proposed making the land a public park with a gate that closes at sunset.
Nearby, the bluffs of Point Fermin Park are famous for being a shooting location of the 1974 classic Chinatown. Jake, played by Jack Nicholson, can be seen following the head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power down the bluffs to observe water flowing into the ocean. Later, Jake leaves a watch under the wheel of a car parked near Walker’s Cafe. Forget it, Jake… it’s Sunken City. Hmm, just doesn’t have the same ring, does it?
When you’re done exploring Sunken City, head back through Point Fermin Park and head up hill and across the street to the beautiful Korean Friendship Bell. This massive bell was donated to the people of Los Angeles in 1976 by the Republic of Korea to celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. independence and to honor Korean War veterans.
The bell weighs in at 17 tons and was shipped from Korea, where it was cast. After arriving in Los Angeles, the bell was set in the gorgeous, intricately decorated pagoda built by craftsmen also flown in from Korea.
There’s much more to see in San Pedro, but Sunken City and The Korean Friendship Bell should keep you occupied for a good part of the day. If you’ve worked up an appetite after all of your exploring, head on over to the San Pedro Fish Market for their World Famous Shrimp Tray.
