Explore LA’s Historic Museum Ships & Maritime Museums

There are multiple museum ships you can explore in Los Angeles from the Queen Mary oceanliner to the USS Iowa Battleship, as well as several nautical and maritime museums that focus on different aspects of the life of a mariner and seafaring technologies over time and the age-old tradition of model ship building.

The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary Attraction and Hotel in Long Beach, CA, is a floating museum that interprets the ship’s history as a luxury ocean liner and a war transport ship during WWII. Moreover, the ship hosts short-term and long-term traveling exhibits. In addition to the exhibits, the Queen Mary operates as a hotel, featuring multiple shops, restaurants, and nightlife options.

Scorpion Russian Foxtrot Submarine

The Scorpion Russian Submarine is located adjacent to the Queen Mary. Visitors can access it with a combo ticket for the Queen Mary or individually. However, note that it’s a self-guided audio tour that is not handicapped accessible. Therefore, climbing down the hatch is necessary to explore the submarine.

SS Lane Victory

The SS Lane Victory is a WWII merchant cargo ship located in San Pedro, CA, operated as a museum ship by the United States Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II. The cargo holds of the ship now contain museum exhibits on the life of a mariner as well as the tools used by sailors in the 1940s.

USS Iowa Battleship Museum

The USS Iowa Battleship Museum is located at Berth 87 at the LA Waterfront in San Pedro, CA. The ship served as a US battleship from 1940 to 1990, enduring WWII through the Persian Gulf War. The museum is operated by the Pacific Battleship Center.

Los Angeles Maritime Museum

The Los Angeles Maritime Museum is located in the former Municipal Ferry Terminal building on the San Pedro waterfront, near Ports O’ Call Village. This museum houses photos and artifacts from the USS Los Angeles, along with exhibits on commercial diving and the area’s cannery history.

Tall Ships

Southern California is home to a dozen historic and replica Tall Ships, stretching from Oxnard to San Diego. While some ships can only be admired from shore, others offer tours or weekend sails to the public. It’s noteworthy that additional Tall Ships from other ports visit LA harbors every year for various special events and battle reenactments.

Boat Tours, Ferries, and Cruises

Since you’re exploring maritime attractions, consider venturing out onto the water yourself. There are various boat tours, ferries, and cruises available in the LA area that offer excellent opportunities to enjoy the spectacular scenery and aquatic life.

San Diego Maritime Museum

Although located about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, the San Diego Maritime Museum features the biggest collection of ships, from Navy vessels to tall ships, that you can visit all in one place in Southern California. It’s a must-visit for ship enthusiasts.