San Pedro Series LbNA #20749 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Kelsung  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Mar 9, 2006 |
| Location: | Point Fermin Park |
| City: | San Pedro |
| County: | Los Angeles |
| State: | California |
| Boxes: | 3 |
| Found by: | The Children of Time (2) |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Aug 17, 2013 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFaFFFFFFFFr |
| Last edited: | Jun 14, 2021 |
The city of San Pedro has many historical, recreational and commercial attractions. The Vincent Thomas Bridge, connecting Terminal Island and the harbor, is the official landmark welcoming visitors to Los Angeles. Ports O’ Call and Fisherman’s Wharf provide shopping and site-seeing opportunities. Cabrillo Beach, the fishing pier and the marina provide plenty of recreational activities. You can also visit several museums, including Fort MacArthur, Civil War Drum Barracks, The Muller House, The Banning Residence and The Los Angeles Maritime Museum.
But for our little letterboxing trip, my wife and I want you to visit some of our favorite romantic spots. From Los Angeles, take the 110 freeway south. From Long Beach, cross The Vincent Thomas Bridge to the 110. Either way, the 110 ends at Gaffey St. Turn left onto Gaffey St and continue south all the way through town, up and down hills, twisting and turning until it ends.
#1: Korean Friendship Bell
Retired as of 11/16/14
Constructed by Korean craftsman to honor veterans of The Korean War and to consolidate friendship between our two countries, this was dedicated on the bicentennial in 1976. The twelve columns of the pagoda-like structure represent the Oriental Zodiac, and the bell itself, which has carvings of the Goddess of Liberty and a Korean spirit, weighs 17 tons. It is only rung four times a year: July 4th for our Independence Day, August 15th for Korean Independence Day, New Year’s Eve, and every September to coincide with other bells around the country celebrating Constitution Week.
At 37th St, just before Gaffey St ends, turn right into the entrance of the park. Enjoy the view, but the box is gone. Again.
#2: Point Fermin Lighthouse
Retired as of 9/19/13
Point Fermin Park gives an incredible view from atop the bluffs to the ocean below and, on a clear day, out to Catalina Island. The lighthouse itself was constructed in 1874 from California redwoods and was in active use until all coastal lights were extinguished in 1941 for protection from enemies in World War II. It grew into disrepair until volunteers restored it in time for its centennial in 1974. The graceful Victorian-style building and flower gardens are now the residence of the park superintendent. Tours are held Sunday afternoons from 1pm to 4pm.
Continue down Gaffey St, which ends at the parking area for the park. Enjoy the lighthouse and the view over the cliffs, then head down to the final box.
#3: Stairway To The Rocks
Replaced 8/17/13
Alive and well as of 1/3/14
Finally officially retired 11/9/19, but has probably been gone for years. But go here anyway, this location is amazing. I had family visiting and this is one place I just had to take them.
Warning: this is not at all wheelchair accessible, and be extremely careful with children and pets, if you bring them at all.
Exit the parking area and turn left onto Shepard St, which becomes Paseo Del Mar. Drive west about half a mile, turn around and park on the roadside where Paseo Del Mar meets Meyler St. You’ll see a public restroom and find two steep paths on either side to the lower area of the park. There you’ll find a short flight of steps leading to another steep path going further down the bluff. From this path you can see both the Korean Friendship Bell and the Point Fermin Lighthouse in the distance. It leads to a long metal stairway that ends at a wooden platform and a few more (now missing) steps down to the rocky shoreline.
The box is gone, but now you can explore one of my wife’s favorite places in the world. Be sure to come at low tide and tread carefully along the slippery rocks around the tide pools. The view and the sound of the surf are amazing, but the variety of life that is teeming within is even more so. The rocks are covered in algae and barnacles, look for sea anemones, sea urchins, scallops, starfish and hermit crabs. These areas are protected by law, so take nothing with you but memories and any trash you pick up.
But for our little letterboxing trip, my wife and I want you to visit some of our favorite romantic spots. From Los Angeles, take the 110 freeway south. From Long Beach, cross The Vincent Thomas Bridge to the 110. Either way, the 110 ends at Gaffey St. Turn left onto Gaffey St and continue south all the way through town, up and down hills, twisting and turning until it ends.
#1: Korean Friendship BellRetired as of 11/16/14
Constructed by Korean craftsman to honor veterans of The Korean War and to consolidate friendship between our two countries, this was dedicated on the bicentennial in 1976. The twelve columns of the pagoda-like structure represent the Oriental Zodiac, and the bell itself, which has carvings of the Goddess of Liberty and a Korean spirit, weighs 17 tons. It is only rung four times a year: July 4th for our Independence Day, August 15th for Korean Independence Day, New Year’s Eve, and every September to coincide with other bells around the country celebrating Constitution Week.
At 37th St, just before Gaffey St ends, turn right into the entrance of the park. Enjoy the view, but the box is gone. Again.
#2: Point Fermin LighthouseRetired as of 9/19/13
Point Fermin Park gives an incredible view from atop the bluffs to the ocean below and, on a clear day, out to Catalina Island. The lighthouse itself was constructed in 1874 from California redwoods and was in active use until all coastal lights were extinguished in 1941 for protection from enemies in World War II. It grew into disrepair until volunteers restored it in time for its centennial in 1974. The graceful Victorian-style building and flower gardens are now the residence of the park superintendent. Tours are held Sunday afternoons from 1pm to 4pm.
Continue down Gaffey St, which ends at the parking area for the park. Enjoy the lighthouse and the view over the cliffs, then head down to the final box.
#3: Stairway To The RocksReplaced 8/17/13
Alive and well as of 1/3/14
Finally officially retired 11/9/19, but has probably been gone for years. But go here anyway, this location is amazing. I had family visiting and this is one place I just had to take them.
Warning: this is not at all wheelchair accessible, and be extremely careful with children and pets, if you bring them at all.
Exit the parking area and turn left onto Shepard St, which becomes Paseo Del Mar. Drive west about half a mile, turn around and park on the roadside where Paseo Del Mar meets Meyler St. You’ll see a public restroom and find two steep paths on either side to the lower area of the park. There you’ll find a short flight of steps leading to another steep path going further down the bluff. From this path you can see both the Korean Friendship Bell and the Point Fermin Lighthouse in the distance. It leads to a long metal stairway that ends at a wooden platform and a few more (now missing) steps down to the rocky shoreline.
The box is gone, but now you can explore one of my wife’s favorite places in the world. Be sure to come at low tide and tread carefully along the slippery rocks around the tide pools. The view and the sound of the surf are amazing, but the variety of life that is teeming within is even more so. The rocks are covered in algae and barnacles, look for sea anemones, sea urchins, scallops, starfish and hermit crabs. These areas are protected by law, so take nothing with you but memories and any trash you pick up.