SeeCalifornia.com

SAN PEDRO, CALIF. — For more than 90 years Los Angeles has celebrated World Trade Week, educating the public about the importance and benefits of global trade to the local and U.S. economy. It is one of many such celebrations throughout the world, and is significant because North America’s leading seaport (Port of Los Angeles) complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region. By container volume and cargo value, the port saw $284 billion in trade during 2017.

Several thousand people participated in the The Port of Los Angeles (portoflosangeles.org) free harbor boat tours on Saturday, May 19 as part of World Trade Week. The public had a unique opportunity to learn about the logistics and operations of North America’s premier gateway for international commerce by seeing it firsthand.

California’s ports are vital to the state and nation’s economies, but also provide entertainment opportunities. Free concerts, boat parades, fireworks shows and other such events are held at many of the state’s ports throughout the year.

And companies such as Harbor Breeze Cruises which supplied the boats for the free Trade Week harbor tours, offers affordable port and harbor tours all year long. If you’ve never taken one, put it on your list. These narrated excursions include facts, figures, interesting highlights about the scenery and rides past huge containerized ships. Amazing to see, kids and adults are in awe at the experience.