CELEBRATE AMERICA 250 ABOARD A LEGEND
Battleship USS IOWA, the National Museum of the Surface Navy, and LA Fleet Week: inspiring learning, building relationships, and creating pathways that strengthen communities and America.
More Than a Ship. More Than a Museum.
Over the years, we discovered something remarkable. While ships preserve history, it is people who create impact.
What began as an effort to save a battleship evolved into something much greater—a movement built on the belief that curiosity sparks discovery, discovery creates connection, and connection helps people find purpose, opportunity, and community.
Today, the Pacific Battleship Center uses maritime experiences to inspire learning, build relationships, and create pathways through which people discover opportunities, strengthen communities, and help advance America’s maritime future.
Battleship USS IOWA
Step aboard the Battleship USS IOWA, docked on the San Pedro waterfront in the Long Beach / Los Angeles Harbor, and explore a real naval icon through immersive, hands-on experiences for all ages. Climb the decks, follow Vicky the Dog on a family scavenger hunt, and discover one of LA’s most unique waterfront attractions — plan your visit today.
National Museum of the Surface Navy
Launching in 2026 aboard Battleship IOWA, this family-friendly museum will immerse guests in life at sea through hands-on exhibits and inspiring stories. It’s a celebration of courage, community, and service. Your visit and donation help bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life.
LA Fleet Week
Each Memorial Day weekend, LA Fleet Week brings ship tours, live music, military displays, and fun for the whole family to the LA Waterfront. Meet today’s sailors and enjoy an unforgettable holiday. Your visit and donation help support this free, public event year after year.
WHY WE EXIST
Pacific Battleship Center
Who or what is the Pacific Battleship Center?
The Pacific Battleship Center is a Los Angeles–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered aboard Battleship IOWA at the Port of Los Angeles.
We believe opportunity begins with discovery. Discovery leads to exploration. Exploration creates connections, and connections help people find their place within their community, their workforce, and our Nation’s maritime future.
Through our pillars of Education, Veterans, and Community, we create experiences that help people discover possibilities, explore opportunities, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to something larger than themselves.
Whether someone visits Battleship IOWA, attends LA Fleet Week, engages with the National Museum of the Surface Navy, participates in a program, or volunteers their time, every experience serves as an entry point into Maritime Pathways—a journey that transforms curiosity into exploration, exploration into connection, and connection into opportunity.
- Learn more about our pathways.
- View our financial information.
- View our most recent news and updates.
What is your Vision & Mission?
Our Vision
To inspire global awareness of freedom of the seas.
Our Mission
Ignite curiosity and connect communities to strengthen America’s role in maritime peace and prosperity.
What programs do you offer?
Our programs fall under three core pillars — Education, Veterans, and Community — each focused on building bridges, inspiring curiosity, and fostering human connection. We use history as a platform, not a destination, creating inclusive spaces where people can discover purpose, relate across differences, and contribute to something greater than themselves.
🧭 Education
We ignite curiosity and inspire purpose through immersive experiences that connect people to stories of service, innovation, and leadership. Our education efforts reach both youth and the general public, creating learning environments that challenge, engage, and empower.
Programs include:
- Battleship IOWA Experience
- Life of a Sailor (coming in 2026)
- National Museum of the Surface Navy (coming in 2026)
- Camp Battleship Youth Overnight Encampment
- STEAM at Sea, Day of Discovery, and Field Trips
- Youth Career Pathways (coming in 2026)
🎖 Veterans
We serve those who served by fostering connection, identity, and opportunity beyond the uniform. Our veterans programs are designed to reduce isolation, celebrate service, and create new pathways through soft-skills training, mentorship, and workforce access.
Programs include:
- Transition Pathways
- Skillbridge
- Veterans Ceremonies & Events
- Comradery & Purpose
- Freedom of the Seas Pavilion (Veterans Resource Center – opening 2026)
Learn more about our Veterans Programs.
🌎 Community
We activate public space, civic dialogue, and shared experiences that bring people together. Whether through regional resilience, neighborhood events, or national celebrations, our community programs strengthen trust, pride, and preparedness.
Programs include:
- LA Fleet Week
- Freedom of the Seas Park & Pavilion
- Los Angeles Disaster Resilience and Recovery Collective (LADRRC)
- Public Events & Community Engagement
How can I get involved?
The Pacific Battleship Center is powered by a passionate community of donors, volunteers, partners, and advocates. If you believe in honoring service, building stronger communities, and inspiring future generations — we invite you to join us.
You can:
Where are you located and/or contact information?
Historic Battleship IOWA is located at the Port of Los Angeles on the LA Waterfront in San Pedro, one of the most vibrant and diverse waterfront communities in Southern California.
Our address:
Pacific Battleship Center
250 S Harbor Blvd
San Pedro, CA 90731
Our phone:
877-446-9261
Open 7 days a week (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas) for tours, programs, and public events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Father’s Day Steel Beach Barbecue 2026
This Father’s Day, celebrate Dad with a Navy tradition: a “steel beach” barbecue
PROGRAM SPONSORS
