San Pedro is the metro LA fleet's port of call. The neighborhood sits on the Harbor peninsula inside the Port of Los Angeles, and Horseshoe Kelp — "one of the most popular sportfishing spots in Metro LA" — starts at the breakwater and runs ten miles south. Catalina is a 22-mile run across the channel. The fleet works behind Angel's Gate from Cabrillo Marina, just north of Cabrillo Beach.
The harbor
The 9,250-foot San Pedro breakwater shelters the fleet from open Pacific swell, with Angel's Gate Lighthouse marking the outer end. The sportfishing landings work the inside of the breakwater at Cabrillo Marina, just north of Cabrillo Beach. The neighboring West Harbor redevelopment — replacing the former Ports O' Call Village — opens its first phase in 2026, alongside the existing dock infrastructure.
Grounds
Grounds are close. Named ground-by-ground, working out from the breakwater:
- Horseshoe Kelp — spans roughly 10 miles starting at the San Pedro lighthouse and runs south toward Huntington Flats. Calico bass, halibut, white sea bass, and yellowtail are the traditional targets.
- Huntington Flats, Point Fermin, The Rockpile, and Middle Grounds — inshore named marks within the day-boat range.
- Olympic II Wreck and Izor's Reef — deeper offshore marks for the longer trips.
- Santa Catalina Island — about 22–25 miles across the channel for yellowtail, white sea bass, and calico bass.
Regulations
The Point Vicente State Marine Conservation Area (No-Take) runs along the Palos Verdes shelf and has been in force since January 1, 2012. All recreational and commercial take is prohibited inside the boundary. Charter captains running out of San Pedro work the grounds above and clear of the SMCA.
Getting there
Interstate 110 terminates in San Pedro and runs 20 miles north to Downtown LA; California State Route 47 connects via the Vincent Thomas Bridge to Terminal Island and Long Beach. The climate is mild Mediterranean — January highs average 67°F and August highs 82°F, with about 14 inches of annual precipitation — effectively year-round fishing weather.
