As San Pedro’s new waterfront prepares for its debut this summer, the $500 million, 42-acre development is also preparing to implement a “Think Blue/Go Green” initiative that will bring solar canopies, electric vehicle charging stations and other environmental elements to the mile-long attraction.
The plans, announced ahead of — and weaving into — Earth Day on April 22 will also make use of sustainable materials and waste reduction strategies, developers said.
It will be a big summer debut ahead for San Pedro’s long-awaited new waterfront. West Harbor’s public opening comes with its role as an official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone viewing location at the harbor-facing amphitheater in July.
Fan Zone event details are slated to be announced.
And after years in the making — the Port of Los Angeles approved the framework in 2009 — the venue that replaces the long-standing Ports O’ Call Village will have various events throughout the summer.
Led by Jerico Development and The Ratkovich Company — two long-standing, family-owned Los Angeles real estate firms — in partnership with SSA Marine and the Port of Los Angeles, the project spans 1 mile of direct waterfront access.
Developers are counting on the development to be a big local and tourist draw, with the hope of “reimagining the LA Waterfront as Southern California’s next great coastal destination,” as it is described in a recent news release.
“West Harbor will begin welcoming visitors to the San Pedro waterfront this summer with its first major event, serving as an official Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone at the forthcoming amphitheater on July 14-15 and July 18-19,” Eric Johnson, senior partner executive, said in written responses to questions. “As an Official Fan Zone, West Harbor will feature live match broadcasts on large screens, sponsor activations, food and beverage, entertainment and interactive fan experiences along the waterfront.”
It will be, he said, the inaugural public event at the venue’s 6,220-seat, harbor-facing amphitheater developed in partnership with Nederlander Concerts. It also will be introduced as a new waterfront “gathering” place for all-day events.
And part of the waterfront’s overall vision, developers said, has always included the environmental initiatives weaved into the design.
The venue, for starters, will feature “a landscaped waterfront environment with predominantly drought-tolerant and native vegetation,” developers said.
But there is more to rounding out that vision.
Supported by $65 million in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing, the project will incorporate energy-efficient buildings and systems that exceed federal performance standards. Alignment with rigorous state, local and LEED requirements has enabled a majority of construction costs to qualify for C-PACE eligibility, developers said.
“At the core of West Harbor, we are focused on reconnecting the community to the waterfront and contributing to a more thoughtful, long-term approach to how the LA Waterfront evolves over time,” Johnson said in a written statement. “That includes working closely with the Port of Los Angeles to advance water efficiency, carbon reduction and waste minimization, helping ensure the waterfront remains a place where locals and visitors can gather for generations to come.”
Measures include water efficiency through low-flow fixtures, enhanced energy performance, 65% construction waste diversion and the use of low-VOC materials (products contain reduced levels of volatile organic compounds, carbon-based chemicals that vaporize at room temperature, causing odors and health issues).
“Sustainability has been a core consideration in every aspect of West Harbor’s planning and execution,” Johnson said. “From infrastructure to tenant partnerships, every decision has been guided by long-term environmental performance, alongside a commitment to working with our community, local partners and tenants to advance a high standard of environmental stewardship.”
Tenants also are participating.
Harbor Breeze Cruises, the development’s master water-side tenant, has launched El Escudo, a state-of-the-art parallel-hybrid passenger vessel that advances cleaner harbor operations. The vessel is touted as representing a new benchmark in maritime innovation, offering emissions-free harbor cruises, and is supported by the installation of the first commercial vessel electric charging station at the Port of Los Angeles.
“Harbor Breeze Cruises is currently operating a range of harbor tours and whale watching experiences,” Johnson said. “The company is also advancing El Escudo, its new 350-guest, eco-friendly vessel has moved beyond the production shed and is progressing toward water trials ahead of its planned 2026 launch.”
“Once complete,” he added, “El Escudo will support a range of experiences, from harbor tours to private events and educational voyages, and is designed to operate completely emission-free during harbor tours. The vessel will make its home port at West Harbor in the Port of Los Angeles, positioning it as a centerpiece for water activities and a beacon for sustainable tourism in Southern California.”
Dan Salas, owner and operator of Harbor Breeze Cruises, said he is excited to launch El Escudo.
“This vessel sets a new standard for passenger vessels,” he said, “not only in design and build quality, but in propulsion technology that moves the industry toward a cleaner future.”
Additional sustainability measures integrated across the development include:
- Solar canopies, currently under construction by tenant True Green Capital, will be used in the main parking areas and generate approximately 1.2 megawatts of electricity, delivered to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power grid and offsetting the majority of on-site power consumption. They will also provide shade to help mitigate the “heat island” effect.
- EV charging stations will support more sustainable transportation, backed by a dedicated 1-megawatt transformer that expands capacity to approximately 22 times above current code requirements.
- Sustainable materials and waste reduction will use a comprehensive approach that prioritizes reusable, recyclable and biodegradable food ware, eliminates polystyrene, and reduces single-use plastics. Collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants Program will further support environmentally responsible practices.
- Designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, West Harbor’s initial phase has achieved certification, with Phase 1B currently being processed for the designation. The project incorporates advanced energy management, water efficiency measures and sustainable materials. It is all expected to produce approximately a 53% reduction in water use, 94% waste diversion and an estimated 131 metric tons of CO2 emissions avoided annually.
The venue is also linking up with the Los Angeles Maritime Institute and AltaSea for hands-on maritime and environmental education and partnerships to benefit students.
Phased openings are slated to begin rolling out this summer. A harbor promenade, boutique amusement park, and mix of dining and entertainment are planned, with tenants including the San Pedro Fish Market — with its permanent building launching construction in 2027 — and a new satellite location for Hollywood landmark Yamashiro.
Other elements include pickleball and padel courts, immersive art experiences, and waterfront attractions.
The new amphitheater, Johnson said, will use a turf material rather than live grass following an “exhaustive” study of what would work best in the setting.
“The surface is manufactured using recycled materials with organic infills such as cork or ground walnut shells rather than recycled rubber and is recyclable at the end of its lifecycle,” he said. “Our focus remains on delivering a year-round accessible venue that supports a wide range of performances and community programming as part of the broader West Harbor development.”
It’s not the only new amphitheater locally.
The Long Beach Amphitheater, an 11,000-capacity open-air venue near the Queen Mary, will officially debut June 6 with a grand opening concert headlined by Snoop Dogg, a Long Beach native whose career has long been tied to the city’s music history.
It will be the city’s first large-scale outdoor music venue and a new destination for live entertainment along the waterfront, designed to reflect Long Beach’s cultural identity. It will host concerts, community events and festivals throughout the year.
By contrast, West Harbor’s amphitheater will be smaller but designed to be more intimate.
“West Harbor’s 6,200-seat amphitheater is intentionally scaled to complement the waterfront setting and the broader development, creating a more intimate, community-oriented experience,” Johnson said. “The venue prioritizes connection to the harbor through its open-air design, allowing it to function as both an everyday gathering place and a venue for live events.”
In other forthcoming plans and openings:
- “North Park” recreational tenants and SkyStar Ferris Wheel are expected to be completed by early 2027.
- Along with the World Cup debut, additional events, restaurants and attractions will continue to debut across the waterfront destination in the months ahead.
- A series of openings will take place over the course of the coming year along with openings of restaurants, and attractions will continue to debut across the waterfront destination.
- Plans are also under discussion to move the town’s Fourth of July fireworks show from Cabrillo Beach to the new waterfront venue, but there is no confirmation or updates on those discussions. This year’s Independence Day also marks the nation’s 250th birthday.
For more information, visit WestHarborLA.com and follow @westharborla on Instagram and West Harbor on Facebook.