Wherever you turn, San Pedro is a community with art and culture. Our Downtown area is the main arts district with galleries and studios. 

We are fortunate to have the San Pedro Art Association, established in 1936 and more vital than ever. The association has galleries at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles and presents shows and events at other locations throughout the community. SPAA's members are some of the area's finest artists and you can be confident when you purchase their art or take their classes that you are working with outstanding individuals who care about their community, their art, and your enjoyment. You can find more information at www.SanPedroArt.org. 

On the first Thursday of every month the Arts District opens its doors for exhibitions, entertainment and refreshments for its Art Walk. Beginning around 6 p.m., the galleries and studios are open, shops and restaurants have special offers, and there’s entertainment all around. www.1stThursday.com.

​San Pedro Waterfront Arts District supports artists and is responsible for lots of great public art around town. Take a look at its website at www.LAWaterfrontArtsDistrict.com—the then take a look at all it has done to beautify San Pedro and give artists great exposure.

Warner Grand Theatre is the centerpiece of Downtown and San Pedro arts and culture. This Art Deco era movie theater was opened in 1931 by Jack Warner who called it "the palace of your dreams." The Warner Grand hosts a wide range of arts and cultural events from films to speeches, stage plays to music. www.WarnerGrand.org.

 San Pedro is home to many wonderful and talented artists

Parkhurst Galleries, 439 W. 6th Street, not only presents the work of some of the world's most famous painters for sale, but also offers its Painting With the Masters classes. These classes truly bring out the talent of anyone who is interested in painting. 310-547-3158, www.ParkhurstGalleries.com

Our Creations at 416 W. 6th Street is the place for painting classes and art supplies, everything you need for crafts, weddings, holidays, and more.

Downtown Books & Art Gallery at 414 W. 6th Street in Downtown San Pedro has an inventory of very collectible new and antique books. The gallery has a new show every month. It offers the highest quality picture framing with many choices of styles and materials. The phone number is 818-731-1158 and the website is www.DTBooksArt.com.

San Pedro enjoys live professional theater all year long. Little Fish Theatre presents locally produced live comedy and drama with a full schedule. A real drawing card is the theater’s small size. It only seats about 60, so everyone is close to the stage action. Many professional actors love Little Fish for the groundbreaking plays it presents. It can be daring, it can be funny. It is always entertaining.

Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre Street, Downtown. 310-512-6030, www.LittleFishTheatre.org

And Shakespeare by the Sea is a long running festival that presents the Bard’s plays in public parks and other locations throughout Southern California. It started in San Pedro and continues regular performances in Pt. Fermin Park and at other spots, even while it has expanded as far away as Orange County. And you’ll find lots of locations throughout the South Bay for these wonderful shows. www.ShakespeareByTheSea.org

If you like music, you'll love the Golden State Pops Orchestra. Performing in the historic Art Deco era Warner Grand Theatre, the orchestra presents a series of concerts that inspire and entertain with world-class musicians performing. Check upcoming performances at www.GSPO.com.

Arts and entertainment aren't limited to Downtown. The San Pedro area is home to many remarkable artists.

And Mario Mirkovich is known as a real master, especially for his paintings that capture the beauty of the area. He also offers painting classes. Mario’s Art Gallery is 2438 S. Western Avenue, Peninsula. The phone is 310-548-9077 and online at www.MarioMirkovichFineArt.com.

National Watercolor Society showcases the very best in its gallery at 915 S. Pacific Avenue, Uptown Pacific Avenue. Call 310-831-1099 or visit www.NationalWatercolorSociety.org. 

You'll find lots throughout San Pedro and the Peninsula area 

And up the hill is the Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 W. Crestridge in Rancho Palos Verdes, offering a variety of exhibitions and classes. Check its schedule online at www.PVArtCenter.org.

Marymount California University offers an extensive program of cultural arts on its Oceanview Campus. Marymount California University 30800 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rancho Palos Verdes, Peninsula 310-303-7223, www.MarymountCalifornia.edu. 

The Norris Theatre hosts a wide range of stage productions, musical shows, and a variety of classes. It hosts many national touring shows. Check out the schedule at www.PalosVerdesPerformingArts.com.

 San Pedro boasts not just one film festival, but two

The Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival brings new works, documentaries, and classic films to Downtown San Pedro every spring. Information is available at www.LAHarborFilmFest.com.

And the San Pedro International Film Festival is the town's premier festival and focuses on new and emerging works every fall. The festival includes a range of seminars, as well. It also produces programming throughout the year. Get information at www.SPIFFest.org.

One of the nation's leading film festivals is held just across the channel on Catalina Island. The Catalina Film Festival is a star-studded event that always attracts an interesting audience with more than 100 films screened in an important competition. Information is available at www.CatalinaFilm.org.

The Port of Los Angeles has turned the Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro into a beautiful place--at a significant investment. All along the Promenade that traverses the Main Channel you'll see great pieces of public art that reflect the cultures of Los Angeles and the world. Many are educational pieces about the history of the harbor. Crowning the Promenade is the Fanfare Fountain at the World Cruise Center that presents choreographed light, sound, and water shows. At the other end of the Channel is the SP Slip, home to the Ghost Fish sculpture, along with interpretive signage about life on the docks. 

And San Pedro, Wilmington, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and Catalina Island are all favorite locations for film, television, and commercial production. Click here for a list of just some of the films and television programs shot in San Pedro and Wilmington.   Be sure to check the Calendar of Events for performances and activities. And for information about any of the venues and producers go to this link from the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District.