I don't know why this is such a SoCal secret! The USS IOWA is great on so many levels!! From history buffs, to ship lovers, to kids that love the 'Vicky' scavenger hunt, this place is the best. Is was recently named by Congress as the US Museum of the Surface NAVY. My kids brought me there on Fathers Day and I immediately said, 'how can I help?" I now volunteer almost weekly and I drive all the way from Pomona to help out.
Wonderful to have the historic battleship in the Los Angeles area, San Pedro, closeby the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.
Went here over spring break 2016 with my two teenage boys. We all loved it. Inexpensive. Great volunteers and knowledgeable staff and team members. We had a wonderful time and would recommend USS IOWA to all of our friends.
I went here over the summer and was blown away by the great care the staff has taken to inform the public of the great history of this ship. The tour was amazing, and made me very proud to be American
Was assigned to this great ship as a member of precommissioning crew. This nonprofit is keep a national treasure a live and open to the public to see
Must see when in San Pedro. Very informative and if you like ships this one is good as the lane victory down the road. They constantly have events on ship and they have a great team. Very historic spot
I am a member of the USS Iowa family with my father having served on the Iowa from 1955 to 1958. I visited her in Richmond California and have since visited her twice in San Pedro California and I am extremely excited that they have been able to save this piece of American history for future generations to come I myself have donated pieces of USS Iowa history that will remain with the ship where she is now in San Pedro California and I absolutely love the tours that I have been given by the staff that maintain the ship there in San Pedro California. I'm so happy they decided not to scrap the USS Iowa like they have done so many of the other battleship of her era. I can't wait to come back and see her many many more times and see the improvements that have been done and areas of the ship that are now open to the public that otherwise would not have happened without the USS Iowa Veterans Association and the people of San Pedro California.
Went on board in August 2013. Immensely educational and enjoyable. Docents were very good. Would go back again.
I served in the Navy for 6 years (mid 80's -91) and I was a Battleship Sailor on board a "sister ship." When I came down to San Pedro this past Veteran's Day, I was amazed at how well preserved the USS Iowa was. When I walked across her brow, the memories started flooding back. I talked to many of the tour guides/docents, sharing stories of our experiences in the navy, traveling the world, etc. Because of my wife "dragging" me to the ship, I ended up becoming a volunteer aboard the Iowa, and I now work on her for 2-3 days per week. I work with students from the L.A.U.S.D. in a program called "Day of Discovery," where they tour parts of the ship and also participate in 5 different activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.). We also have various children's groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts come aboard for " overnite camping." They tour the ship, enjoy dinner and breakfast the next morning, and do various activities with the director and volunteers. Adults of all ages enjoy the Battleship as well. As a video about the Iowa states, "The Iowa is a big time machine." Come on down and take a stroll through history. You won't be disappointed.
The Pacific Battleship Center that hosts the USS Iowa (BB-61) is an amazing experience to go through. I visit several times a year and each time I find myself staying longer and longer. Reading and learning about the great history of this ship. The volunteers work constantly to open up new areas of the ship for the public to explore. Often you come across past sailors that were station on the Iowa and volunteer their time at the museum. What a treat to hear from the people that sailed this wonderful ship and helped save lives of their shipmates and protect our country. My parents became so attached to the ship that they both volunteer every weekend, painting, welding, doing whatever they can to help the USS Iowa come to life again for a new generation of people. I recommend this experience to everyone... and to go back! Thank you to the workers and volunteers that brought and keep this treasure in Southern California!
This ship is a piece of history and the way the tour of the ship is laid out makes it fairly easy to get up and down the stairs. It was fascinating to see where the ship went while it was in active service - this is a great museum and I hope its here for a long while. My husband and I have been there three times already.
Pacific Battleship Center is an outstanding non-profit that operates Battleship Iowa, the only battleship on the West Coast. The organization has grown in a prudent manner since its inception to procure and preserve the battleship, expanding programs as resources allowed. The organization and its officials have been actively involved in the community and use the battleship to further the community's interests and activities.