San Pedro Tour Alpha

SAN PEDRO TOUR ALPHA

Visitors will board theship on the starboard forward gangways and begin the self-guided tour in the wardroom. There, visitors can see where Officers would eat and enjoy their off time.  From the wardroom the visitors will exit the port side and proceed forward to the front of turrets one and two for the best gunnery view on the entire ship. 

After visiting this location they will proceed aft and go up a stairway to the famous FDR & Captains cabin to see where world dignataries were entertained and the only bathtub at sea.  Once departing the FDR cabin, visitors will proceed up one level and see a five inch gun mount and proceed aft to continue through the superstructure.  Heading forward on the next level, visitors will see the signal flag locations and walk by the flag bridge and then continue up one level to the armored bridge. 

Armored with 18" of steel, the USS IOWA bridge is the most secure location for a Captain to be stationed during battle.  See the location that the ship was steered from, look out the famous bridge windows onto the forward 2 turrets, and listen to stories from the bridge.  Continue up one level from the bridge onto the exterior flying bridge and overlook the forward bow section. 

From this location you head aft passing by the Phalanx CWIS (Close In Weapons System) mounts and the SRBOC (Super Rapid Blooming Offship Chaff) mortars that were added as defense against modern cruise missiles.  Continuing aft on the upper deck you will walk along the ship's missile decks, passing the ABLs (Armored Box Launchers) for the Tomahawk cruise missiles and the Harpoon cruise missile canisters. 

The tour then heads down to the aft Main Deck, passing the after main battery guns and entering a hatch to tour the crews' Galley and Mess deck area below on the 2nd Deck..  There could have been as many as 8,000 meals prepared each day for large crews during World War 2.  Proceeding further aft visitors will be entertained with several short movies reflecting Iowa's history, the recent refurbishment efforts, and the tows from Northern California to Los Angeles. 

Exit the theater and study the 70 year history of USS Iowa and her crew's accomplishments, as they are showcased in Iowa's museum.  Moving further aft is the ship's gift shop and the exit up to tour the large helicopter landing deck on the stern of the Main Deck. 

This area is another excellent spot to view and photograph the ships aft main gun battery, missile decks, and secondary gun mounts.  The tour of Iowa concludes by walking forward on the starboard side to the aft exit gangway. 

USS IOWA is open 7 days per week, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Hours of operation are:

September through May: 1000 to 1700 hours (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM) with the last ticket sold at 1600 hours (4:00 PM).

June through August: 0900 to 1700 hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) with the last ticket sold at 1600 hours (4:00 PM).

Please purchase your tickets in advance to guarantee your visit.  Click here to purchase tickets!