{"id":333552,"date":"2026-05-26T23:19:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T23:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/333552\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T23:19:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T23:19:23","slug":"tenth-annual-fleet-week-is-a-wrap-as-san-pedro-ushers-in-a-big-summer-ahead-daily-breeze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/333552\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenth annual Fleet Week is a wrap as San Pedro ushers in a big summer ahead \u2013 Daily Breeze"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Large<\/p>\n

Large crowds attend the final day of L.A. Fleet Week on Monday, May 25, 2026, near the USS Iowa in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Sailors<\/p>\n

Sailors salute as the Colors are retired at a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, at L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Players<\/p>\n

Players from the military and law enforcement compete in a five-on-five soccer tournament on Monday, May 25, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. The event was staged by FIFA in advance of the upcoming World Cup. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Capt.<\/p>\n

Capt. Harrison Mace engages with an aspiring Navy helicopter pilot on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A twin-engine Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter performs an aerial display on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Port<\/p>\n

Port Coppers FC, members of the Los Angeles Port Police Department, captured the championship trophy in a five-on-five soccer tournament on Monday, May 25, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. The event was staged by FIFA in advance of the upcoming World Cup. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Players<\/p>\n

Players compete in the military dodgeball tournament on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Players<\/p>\n

Players compete in the military dodgeball tournament on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Members<\/p>\n

Members of Underwater Construction Team 2 playing as team Navy Bravo, raise the championship trophy after winning the annual L.A. Fleet Week military dodgeball tournament on Sunday, May 23, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Large<\/p>\n

Large crowds attend the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Large<\/p>\n

Large crowds attend the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"In-depth<\/p>\n

In-depth looks at great navy ships are part of the new \u201cA Day in the Life of a Sailor\u201d exhibit aboard the Battleship Iowa, shown here on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

An in-depth look at great navy ships is part of the new \u201cA Day in the Life of a Sailor\u201d exhibit aboard the Battleship Iowa, shown on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"In-depth<\/p>\n

In-depth looks at great navy ships are part of the new \u201cA Day in the Life of a Sailor\u201d exhibit aboard the Battleship Iowa, shown here on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Attendees<\/p>\n

Attendees have the opportunity to chat with military personnel on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A Bell UH-1Y Huey on display during day one of the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Attendees<\/p>\n

Attendees of the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week play a game of pickleball in San Pedro on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Six-year-old<\/p>\n

Six-year-old Mattson Marsteller tries on a CVC helmet during day one of the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Attendees<\/p>\n

Attendees of the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week play a game of pickleball in San Pedro on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Members<\/p>\n

Members of the Seabee Divers wave to attendees of the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Nicolas<\/p>\n

Nicolas Pena applies camouflage face paint during day one of the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Haneef<\/p>\n

Haneef Munir performs 25 chin-ups during day one of the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Seven-year-old<\/p>\n

Seven-year-old Roman Ruiz poses for a photograph with an M2A1 .50 caliber machine gun during day one of the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The USS Essex, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, passes Angel\u2019s Gate Lighthouse as it arrives for Fleet Week in San Pedro\u2019s Outer Harbor on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Sailors<\/p>\n

Sailors man the rails as the USS Essex arrives in San Pedro for Fleet Week on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The USS Essex arrives for Fleet Week in San Pedro\u2019s Outer Harbor on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The American Flag is hoisted during the commissioning ceremony for the USCGC Terrell Horne WPC 1131, the newest US Coast Guard cutter in San Pedro on Friday, March 22, 2019. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"US<\/p>\n

US Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter Terrell Horne (WPC-1131) (Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 28<\/p>\n

Large crowds attend the final day of L.A. Fleet Week on Monday, May 25, 2026, near the USS Iowa in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a>
\nCool weather, clear skies and a just-opened museum exhibit on board the USS Battleship Iowa brought tens of thousands of people out to the 10th annual L.A. Fleet Week over the Memorial Day weekend in San Pedro.<\/p>\n

No attendance figures were available from organizers on Tuesday, May 26. But the event\u2019s peak reported attendance in the last couple of years was 100,000 over the course of four days.<\/p>\n

Crowds appeared a bit thinner than usual on this year\u2019s opening day, Friday, May 23, according to a couple of regulars involved in the event, though Friday is often the slowest of the four days. Some speculation centered around the state\u2019s high gas prices playing a role in visitor numbers this year.<\/p>\n

But while \u201cFriday was slower,\u201d the weekend was busier, said Battleship Iowa CEO Jonathan Williams.<\/p>\n

There were throngs of folks flooding the expo grounds next to the Iowa and the historic battleship\u2019s attendance was up \u00a024% this year compared to Fleet Week 2025, Williams said. That was fueled in large part by Sunday\u2019s formal opening of the National Museum of the Surface Navy on board the World War II vessel and a new immersive exhibit there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can tell you that much like Iowa attendance the past year, Friday was slower and the weekends were busier,\u201d Williams said. \u201cThe expo was busy throughout the weekend, as was the rest of the waterfront.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than 1,000 sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard service members participated this year. The largest visiting ship for tours, the Navy\u2019s USS Essex \u2014 which boasts a crew of 1,000 \u2014 provided the bulk of that number. Two Coast Guard cutters were also on hand, with crews hosting public tours: Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, an 87-foot Marine Protector-class coastal patrol boat stationed in Marina del Rey; and the USCGC Terrell Horne, a Fast Response Cutter based in Long Beach.<\/p>\n

It also became clear this year that the waterfront overall is seeing a surge in development and activity as the port town goes through a transformation. That has caused some additional planning and logistical complications regarding berthing space for large military ships \u2014 not to mention parking needs for the thousands of visitors who attend Fleet Week.<\/p>\n

The Outer Harbor is preparing for both the 2028 Summer Olympics and a new cruise terminal that\u2019s being built. Work also continues on the long-anticipated West Harbor waterfront, which is set to roll out phased openings this summer. That\u2019s all amid what is expected to be an especially busy and crowded Fourth of July weekend, with fireworks marking the nation\u2019s 250th birthday celebration, followed by World Cup viewing parties at West Harbor in late July.<\/p>\n

The Port of L.A.\u2019s cruise ship hub is also expanding, with more cruises and ships, along with the new, second passenger terminal.<\/p>\n

\u201cLA Fleet Week was epic,\u201d Williams wrote to those who helped organize and staff Fleet Week. \u201cTogether, we honored the fallen by building the largest Memorial Day weekend event on the West Coast and continuing to set the standard for Fleet Weeks across the nation. Los Angeles welcomed more than a thousand service members to experience the very best of our region \u2014 from Disneyland and the Dodgers to Fox Studios and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cTens of thousands of visitors came to the LA Waterfront,\u201d he added, \u201cand activities throughout the area, generating meaningful economic activity for our small businesses and community partners.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no reduction in military participation for Fleet Week this year, Williams said \u2014 despite the ongoing Iran War.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout the weekend,\u201d he wrote in his day-after memo to those who helped put on the event, \u201cour Volunteer Services team and Marine Corps League chapter helped feed staff, volunteers, military personnel and partners who worked tirelessly to support LA Fleet Week.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Fleet Week comes around next year, meanwhile, the Iowa\u2019s landslide footprint should be expanded, with a community building in place. While the pre-engineered building, now in storage, will still need an interior build out, it should be available for some kind of Fleet Week use by the time the 11th annual event rolls around during the 2027 Memorial Day weekend, Williams said.<\/p>\n

In the coming months, he also said, the new national museum\u2019s on-board exhibit<\/a> at the Iowa will expand with a \u201cbootcamp\u201d portion in the display \u2014 and there will be more exhibits added following that for years to come.<\/p>\n

As for handling what will be the continued surge in visitor traffic, Williams said he foresees more parking and other efforts moving up on the priority list to serve the growing waterfront.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Large crowds attend the final day of L.A. Fleet Week on Monday, May 25, 2026, near the USS…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":333553,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[7,637,3172,131,133,132,47,137,100,1438,1439],"class_list":["post-333552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-long-beach","tag-california","tag-fleet-week","tag-harbor-area","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-headlines","tag-long-beach-news","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-county","tag-news","tag-port-of-los-angeles","tag-san-pedro"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=333552"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333552\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/333553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=333552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=333552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=333552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}