Overview
There are several neighborhoods in the Harbor area of Los Angeles, in the South Bay part of L.A. County:
- San Pedro
- Wilmington
- Harbor City
- Harbor Gateway
This article also deals with the incorporated city of Lomita (pop. 20,921) and the unincorporated region of West Carson.
2 sights · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Harbor
Drum Barracks Civil War Museum
Museum preserving the last remaining Civil War military post in Southern California.
Phineas Banning House
19th-century estate belonging to Phineas Banning. Museum includes a large display of 19th century stagecoaches located in the barn and a one-room school house adjacent to the house. Resting place for visiting ship's capt…
Plan your trip
Getting there
The closest airports to these communities are LAX and Long Beach airport. The closest freeway is I-110, which runs down the Harbor Gateway, and between Harbor City and Wilmington. A small section of I-405 runs east-west through the Harbor Gateway. The Pacific Coast Highway also goes through Wilmington and Harbor City. The J Line/Silver Line busway has stations at Rosecrans, 182nd Street, Carson Street and Pacific Coast Hwy.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Drum Barracks Civil War Museum
- Afternoon Phineas Banning House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Wilmington was founded by Phineas Banning of Wilmington, Delaware. It was incorporated in 1863 and annexed to Los Angeles in 1909. The Wilmington/Long Beach/Torrance area is part of a massive oil field, with oil refining and shipbuilding being the area's traditional industries.
Harbor City and Harbor Gateway, then sparsely populated, were annexed by city of Los Angeles during the construction of the Port of Los Angeles. The Harbor Gateway is a narrow strip of land connecting Central and South Los Angeles to San Pedro and Wilmington. Harbor City and Lomita were developed in earnest during and after World War II, Lomita incorporated in 1964.
Get in
The closest airports to these communities are LAX and Long Beach airport. The closest freeway is I-110, which runs down the Harbor Gateway, and between Harbor City and Wilmington. A small section of I-405 runs east-west through the Harbor Gateway. The Pacific Coast Highway also goes through Wilmington and Harbor City. The J Line/Silver Line busway has stations at Rosecrans, 182nd Street, Carson Street and Pacific Coast Hwy.
See
See Phineas Banning House
19th-century estate belonging to Phineas Banning. Museum includes a large display of 19th century stagecoaches located in the barn and a one-room school house adjacent to the house. Resting place for visiting ship's captains. Banning's backyard is now a city park, Banning Park.
Sleep
My experience
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