Wedded Bliss and a Blissful Stay at Crowne Plaza LA Harbor

You would be perfectly delighted if every wedding invitation you received was for a destination wedding. Thus, when your friend invited you to attend her poolside wedding, in the seaport town of San Pedro, there was no doubt that you and your and your plus-one would be there to celebrate the marriage (and the excuse to travel to Los Angeles).

With palm trees peppering the entrance, and the sun setting behind it, the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor - the venue for the wedding, and your home for the next few nights - looks perfectly enchanting. You breathe deeply as you exit your rideshare, soaking in the salty smell of the sea, before heading through the glass doors to check in.

Inside, the modern décor, includes couches with throw pillows, large leather chairs, and a communal workspace, providing a modern aesthetic, while the shimmering sparkling chandeliers contribute subtle elegance to the overall vibe.

When you check in the concierge informs you that the ceremony will be held poolside, and the weather is supposed to be perfect. Following the ceremony, you’ll move into the Crowne Room (which boasts an adjoining patio) for the full dinner and reception.

For dinner tonight, the onsite Blu Lounge and Restaurant offers casual or fine dining including a nice variety of vegetarian and vegan options. Tomorrow you can rent bikes and enjoy a morning trip to Cabrillo Beach and stroll through the Frank Gehry-designed Cabrillo Marine Aquarium to learn more about the local marine life and Los Angeles Harbor. Or you could walk a half-mile from the hotel to enjoy a self-guided tour of the Battleship IOWA, aka "the Battleship of Presidents," which is now an award-winning floating museum.

Inside your King Suite, your view is nothing less than spectacular. With windows in the sleeping area and living room area, your view of the stunning Los Angeles Harbor at dusk is truly awe-inspiring. Within the 500 square-foot space you’ve got everything you need, including couches, chairs, a workstation, two flat screen TVs, a dining area, mini refrigerator, plush bed, a laptop sized safe, coffeemaker, and free Wi-Fi all framed by huge windows. In your bathroom you find plenty of counter space, a lighted vanity, and scented toiletries. 

As you and your plus-one settle in, you can’t help but stare out at the thousands of twinkling harbor lights. You understand why your friend chose this venue for their special day. The Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor is undeniably a special place.

You take the concierge's suggestion to enjoy a light dinner and drinks at Blu Room Restaurant and Lounge. There's pub table seating, or options to sit in a couch, loveseat, or outside on the patio - you opt for dining al fresco since you'll have a terrific view of where the wedding will be held tomorrow. Located on the second floor, the pool area is framed by a variety of palm trees, and lavishly landscaped to create a fairytale-like setting that's perfect for the wedding. Both your meal and the cocktails are delicious. Perfectly sated, you take advantage of the jacuzzi next to the pool before retiring for the night. It’s simply too pretty to spend the rest of the evening indoors. 

After a long soak, fatigue sets in, and you and your partner have grown sufficiently sleepy. Plus, you’ve got a long day of exploring and celebrating ahead of you, so it’s best to call it a night.   You do note the well-equipped fitness center on your way back to the room, in case the desire to exercise should strike in the morning.

As you get ready for bed, you brainstorm other ideas for the remaining days on your visit.  You could easily go into Shoreline Village in Long Beach for shopping, dining and a comedy show. You could take a day trip to Catalina Island via the Catalina Express, a high-speed shuttle which will deliver you to the island in about an hour. You could spend the day on the beach, or cruising along the nearby Palos Verdes Peninsula. And of course, there’s no shortage of things to do in historic, picturesque San Pedro.

As you fall into your super soothing King bed, you decide that no matter what you choose, this is going to be a wedding to remember, not only for the bride and groom, but for you, as a guest of the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor.

Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor
601 S Palos Verdes St, San Pedro 90731
(310) 519-8200