Written by Eric Johnson, senior project executive, West Harbor. Johnson will speak at the upcoming 26th General Assembly.
As the South Bay prepares to welcome visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Super Bowl LXI and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are entering a once-in-a-generation period for our region. Major venues, infrastructure upgrades and transportation improvements are changing how our community and visitors move through and experience Los Angeles.
Along the San Pedro waterfront, West Harbor is part of that shift—not just as a new dining, shopping and entertainment destination but as a continuation of this community’s relationship with the water. Opening in phases beginning this summer, West Harbor spans 42 acres and a full mile of waterfront property at the previous location of Ports O’ Call Village.
Ports O’ Call was built in the early 1960s, and for many of us who grew up nearby, it represented something special. It took a working industrial harbor and made it accessible. Families could walk the docks, share a meal and experience the port up close.
While that chapter has closed, the goal remains the same: Create a place that is authentic, welcoming and worth returning to. We designed West Harbor to be unique, authentic and fun—three principles that guide every decision.
The destination will feature an expanded San Pedro Fish Market, the new satellite location of Hollywood landmark Yamashiro, and a collection of first-in-market and Michelin-recognized culinary concepts such as Tacos El Franc, alongside strong regional operators. We were deliberate about assembling independent businesses that reflect Southern California’s global character and San Pedro’s personality.
Beyond dining, West Harbor introduces new ways to gather at the water, including a boutique amusement park, waterfront excursions and open park space designed for daily use as well as larger events. The 6,200-seat harbor-facing amphitheater, developed in partnership with Nederlander Concerts, brings something the South Bay has never had before: a true waterfront venue capable of hosting concerts and regional programming at a meaningful scale.
This summer, the amphitheater will welcome its first major public activation as an Official Los Angeles World Cup 26™ Fan Zone. West Harbor is one of only two locations in Greater Los Angeles selected to host final-round match viewings, including the semifinals and the World Cup Final. It’s an exciting way to introduce the amphitheater, not just as a concert venue, but as a place where the community can gather for shared global moments.
The Fan Zone will also mark the beginning of consistent programming throughout 2026, as additional phases open and the waterfront comes fully to life. Importantly, this isn’t about building something solely for large-scale events. It’s about creating a place that works every day, for families, for local residents, for small businesses and for the broader South Bay.
As we look toward March 26 and the SBCCOG ‘s General Assembly, “Let the Games Begin: How Sports and Entertainment are Shaping the South Bay,” I’m encouraged by the collaboration that has made this progress possible. If we do this right, projects like West Harbor will ensure that long after the final whistle blows, the South Bay has stronger public spaces, a more connected waterfront and a destination that truly belongs to the community. •
To learn more about West Harbor, visit westharborla.com