Korean Bell of Friendship in San Pedro: History, Views, How to Visit

Visiting the Korean Friendship Bell at Angels Gate Park

High on a bluff in Angels Gate Park, a 17-ton bronze bell looks out over the Port of Los Angeles and the open Pacific. The Korean Bell of Friendship is one of San Pedro’s most distinctive landmarks: a 1976 gift from the Republic of Korea, a quiet place to walk at sunset, and a working ceremonial instrument that still sounds across the harbor on selected days.

The pavilion is easy to reach, free to visit, and simple to fold into a half-day loop with Point Fermin Lighthouse, Fort MacArthur, and Cabrillo Beach. Go for the views even if you miss a ringing. Stay longer if you want the story behind the metal.

A Bicentennial Gift With a Harbor View

South Korea presented the bell to the people of Los Angeles in 1976 to mark the United States Bicentennial, honor Korean War veterans, and affirm the friendship between the two countries. Korean American actor Philip Ahn helped coordinate the effort. After the finished bell was first sounded in Busan, it crossed the Pacific and was dedicated in San Pedro on October 3, 1976.

The site sits on the former Upper Reservation of Fort MacArthur, the coastal defense post that once guarded the harbor. That setting is part of the meaning. From this knoll, U.S. troops once shipped out into the Pacific. Today the same bluff holds a monument meant to speak of peace.

The design follows Korea’s Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, also called the Emille Bell, cast in 771. That ancient original remains one of Korea’s great bells. The San Pedro bell is a modern counterpart, slightly lighter at about 17 tons, and it carries imagery meant for both countries rather than a temple courtyard.

How the Bell Was Made

The Korean Bell of Friendship stands 12 feet tall and measures 7½ feet across. The average wall thickness is about 8 inches. The alloy is mostly copper and tin, with gold, nickel, lead, and phosphorus added for tone. There is no interior clapper. A wooden log, hung on a chain, strikes the outside.

Four groupings of figures wrap the bronze. In each grouping, a figure resembling the Goddess of Liberty holds a torch beside a Korean spirit. The Korean figures present four emblems: a design from the Korean flag, a branch of the rose of Sharon (Korea’s national flower), a laurel branch for victory, and a dove of peace. An inscription asks that the bell sound the hope and resolve of both nations in their shared devotion to prosperity, liberty, and peace.

Korean bells are built to hold sound. The profile drops more like a dome than a flared Western church bell, and a reflecting bowl beneath the rim helps the tone linger. A dragon-ornamented opening at the top lets the vibration rise and travel. On a still day, that is why a single strike can seem to hang over the water.

The Stone Pavilion and the Zodiac Columns

Thirty artisans flew in from Korea to build the pagoda-style stone pavilion on site. The work took ten months and cost $569,680. Twelve columns hold up the roof. Each column represents one animal of the East Asian zodiac, and a carved guardian stands at the base of each support.

The pavilion is more than a shelter. It frames the harbor the way a temple gate frames a mountain. Walk the circle of columns, look up at the painted eaves, then step to the edge of the bluff. On a clear day, the Catalina Channel opens about 26 miles away, with container ships sliding through the lanes below and the Palos Verdes terraces stacking to the west.

When the Korean Friendship Bell Rings

The official ceremonial calendar is short. The bell sounds on:

* New Year’s Eve
* Korean American Day, January 13
* Independence Day, July 4
* Korean Liberation Day, August 15
* Constitution Day in September

On September 11, 2002, it also rang to mark the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks. In recent years, the site has hosted other community observances, including Juneteenth gatherings.

You can hear it more often. A public tour and community ringing is often held on the first Saturday of the month, usually around 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Those events are free, but they can shift, so call Angels Gate Park at (310) 548-7705 or check the San Pedro event calendar before you plan a trip around the sound.

If you do catch a ringing, expect a few measured strikes rather than a long peal. Fourth of July ceremonies have often sounded the bell 13 times, once for each original colony. The wooden beam does the work. The bronze does the rest.

Where to Find the Korean Bell of Friendship

Angels Gate Park itself is open and grassy, with room for kites, picnics, and long views. Park hours are typically 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking lot hours run from sunrise to sunset. Parking and admission are free. You can reach the park office at (310) 548-7705 or angelsgate.recreationcenter@lacity.org. The same office can issue wedding and ceremony permits if you want the pavilion as a backdrop.

Address: 3601 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731

Sunset is the crowd hour. Morning is quieter, with softer light on the columns and fewer people on the lawn. Bring a jacket. The bluff takes the full ocean wind even when the rest of Los Angeles feels warm.

Make the Bell Part of the Day Trip, Nearby Stops

Point Fermin Lighthouse

A short drive or a longer coastal walk south brings you to the 1874 Victorian lighthouse at 807 Paseo Del Mar. Grounds and guided tours are free, Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., with tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Interior access is by tour only. Children must be with an adult, and height limits apply for the tower. Call (310) 241-0684 if you are bringing a group. Note: On a hot day the tour can be stifling especially if your group is large.

Fort MacArthur Museum

The museum occupies Battery Osgood-Farley on the same historic reservation as the park, at 3601 S. Gaffey Street. It is one of the best-preserved U.S. coastal defense gun sites on the West Coast. Exhibits cover the fort’s history, the defense of Los Angeles, and the harbor’s role as a military port. Hours are commonly Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free; donations help keep the batteries open.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Down at Cabrillo Beach, the aquarium at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive is a strong add-on if you have kids or want tidepool life after the bluff-top views. Typical hours are Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is by donation. Beach parking is paid.

Historic Walker’s Cafe San Pedro

The historic burger-and-beer hangout at 700 W. Paseo Del Mar closed in 2021. It later received Historic-Cultural Monument status, but reopening remains uncertain. Do not count on it for lunch. Instead head to waterfront or downtown San Pedro

The Korean Bell of Friendship is both a monument and overlook. You can read the bronze, trace the zodiac animals, and still have time to watch a ship clear the breakwater. That mix is rare in Los Angeles: a serious piece of diplomatic history in a city park you can enter without a ticket.

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