Vincent Thomas Bridge

Los AngelesUnited States of America 33° N · 118° W

The Vincent Thomas Bridge stands as a quintessential landmark in Los Angeles, symbolizing both engineering innovation and the vibrant maritime heritage of the…

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Vincent Thomas Bridge
Service members and volunteers carrying torch during a 24-hour relay honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action across Southern California
Service members, spouses, friends, and volunteers from Los Angeles Air Force Base and other military branches participate in a 24-hour torch relay from Sept. 14-15. The relay honors those held captive or missing in action, with torchbearers running across Vincent Thomas Bridge, San Pedro waterfront,
Service members and volunteers running a torch relay across the Vincent Thomas Bridge at night honoring POW/MIA
Participants from Los Angeles Air Force Base and all military branches run a torch relay across the Vincent Thomas Bridge and local beaches in remembrance of prisoners of war and missing service members during armed conflicts.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal guiding ambulance to hospital ship USNS Mercy during COVID-19 response
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nicholas Schumacher guides an ambulance toward the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy in Los Angeles on March 29, 2020, as part of the COVID-19 response efforts. The USNS Mercy serves as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients, allowing shore-based h
Lt. Cmdr. Genevieve Clark delivering Easter sunrise service on USNS Mercy flight deck during COVID-19 response
Lt. Cmdr. Genevieve Clark, ship’s chaplain, delivers Easter sunrise service aboard USNS Mercy hospital ship in support of COVID-19 response efforts, allowing shore hospitals to focus on COVID-19 cases, April 12, 2020.
USNS Mercy hospital ship Easter sunrise service with ship chaplain delivering remarks on flight deck
USNS Mercy hospital ship Easter sunrise service held on the flight deck with Lt. Cmdr. Glenn Orris delivering remarks. Event supports COVID-19 response, facilitating care for non-COVID-19 patients ashore, April 12, 2020.
Sailors attending Easter sunrise service on flight deck of hospital ship USNS Mercy
Sailors attend Easter sunrise service on the flight deck aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy on April 12, 2020. The ship is deployed to support the nation's COVID-19 response efforts by serving as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients, allowing shore-based hospitals to focus on COVID-19 case
Sailors attending Easter sunrise service on flight deck of hospital ship USNS Mercy during COVID-19 response
Sailors gather on flight deck of hospital ship USNS Mercy for Easter sunrise service on April 12, 2020, supporting COVID-19 response by serving non-COVID patients to free shore hospitals, a mission of Defense Support of Civil Authorities.
Volkswagen cars parked on a pier in Nara
A row of Volkswagen cars parked on a pier in Nara, showcasing a variety of car models in an outdoor setting.
Aerial view of Vincent Thomas Bridge and Port of Los Angeles
High-resolution aerial photograph showing Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning the port area of Los Angeles with ships and industrial structures

Vincent Thomas Bridge

The Vincent Thomas Bridge is a Los Angeles landmark connecting San Pedro and Terminal Island across San Pedro Bay. Since opening in 1963, it has supported commerce at one of the world’s busiest ports and helped strengthen Los Angeles’s role as a global trade hub. Its distinctive emerald-green suspension design is especially recognizable at night, when blue solar-powered LED lights illuminate it.

The bridge is close to attractions including the USS Iowa Museum and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Information about the bridge and surrounding waterfront is available from the Port of Los Angeles and San Pedro Tourism.

History

Named after Assemblyman Vincent Thomas, who championed its creation, the bridge was planned to improve connectivity as the Port of Los Angeles expanded. Construction began in the late 1950s, and the bridge opened on November 15, 1963. It cost about $21 million, equivalent to over $200 million today. Its completion helped streamline the movement of goods and people through the port (Port of Los Angeles).

The bridge is the first welded suspension bridge in the United States. Welding eliminated the need for rivets, created stronger and more durable joints, sped up construction, reduced long-term maintenance, and gave the bridge its sleek appearance.

It is also the only suspension bridge in Greater Los Angeles and the fourth-longest in California (Trek Zone).

What to see

Bridge design and engineering

The bridge is 6,060 feet (1,847 meters) long, with a main span of 1,500 feet (457 meters). Its design allows large vessels to pass beneath it while minimizing the number of piers in the harbor. The channel clearance is 185 feet.

High-strength steel forms the superstructure, and the towers rise 365 feet (111 meters) above the water. Vertical hangers support the deck and distribute vehicle loads. The foundations are anchored deep into the harbor bed for stability in a seismic zone.

Views and landmarks

  • Fountain Park Panoramic bridge views, especially at dusk (California Through My Lens).
  • Angel’s Gate Park Home to the Korean Bell of Friendship, with sweeping views of the harbor and bridge at sunset.
  • Harbor tours Narrated boat tours offer close-up views from the water.

The bridge’s blue LED lighting was installed in 2005. Its striking profile and nighttime illumination have featured in films including Gone in 60 Seconds, Lethal Weapon, and Inception, as well as many television shows.

The bridge is an important route for moving goods through the Port of Los Angeles and supports industries vital to the regional and national economy.

Practical visiting information

Hours and access

  • Bridge access Open 24/7 to vehicles, except during the planned deck-replacement closure described below.
  • Pedestrians and bicycles Access is not permitted; the bridge has no pedestrian or bicycle lanes.
  • Parking Available near Fountain Park and Angel’s Gate Park.
  • Viewing Viewing the bridge from parks is free. Harbor tours and museums require tickets.

Tours, tickets, and opening hours

  • Harbor tours Several operators offer narrated tours from the Port of Los Angeles. Tours last 45 minutes and cost $20–$35. They depart from LA Waterfront Port O’ Call; advance booking is recommended.
  • USS Iowa Museum Open daily, 10 AM–5 PM. Admission is $20 for adults, with discounts for seniors, veterans, and children.
  • Los Angeles Maritime Museum Open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM. Admission is $7 for adults; children under 12 are free.

Accessibility and amenities

Nearby parks and viewing areas, waterfront parks, and museums are accessible to visitors with disabilities. Most harbor tour boats provide accommodations, and tour operators accommodate guests with disabilities.

San Pedro’s waterfront has seafood restaurants, cafes, visitor centers, and restrooms at major parks and museums.

Deck replacement project

After more than 60 years of service and daily use by over 53,000 vehicles, the bridge’s deck requires full replacement. Caltrans plans to install a precast deck designed to last 75 years and upgrade safety features while preserving the bridge’s emerald-green appearance. The project is budgeted at $706 million (Caltrans Project).

  • Preliminary work Fall 2026
  • Full closure Fall 2026 to Winter 2027/2028, for approximately 16 months
  • Reopening Winter 2027/2028

During the closure, traffic will be rerouted via the Commodore Heim Bridge (SR 47), Gerald Desmond Bridge (I-710), and local surface streets. Congestion and altered travel times are expected (LB Watchdog).

Nearby attractions, including the USS Iowa Museum and Aquarium of the Pacific, are expected to remain accessible via alternate routes. For detour information, monitor the Port of Los Angeles Traffic Interchange and subscribe to Caltrans alerts.

Tips

  • For photography, consider golden hour—sunrise or sunset—or after dusk, when the blue LEDs are lit. The lights are described as being on from dusk to midnight.
  • Harbor tours offer water-level views; advance booking is recommended.
  • The bridge itself does not host events, but the San Pedro waterfront regularly has festivals and community gatherings and is lively year-round.
  • Plan for detours during the deck-replacement project.

Nearby places

  • USS Iowa Museum
  • Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
  • Aquarium of the Pacific
  • Los Angeles Maritime Museum
  • Fountain Park
  • Angel’s Gate Park and the Korean Bell of Friendship
  • San Pedro waterfront restaurants, cafes, visitor centers, and park and museum restrooms

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk or bike across the bridge?
No. Pedestrian and bicycle access is not permitted.

Are tickets required to see the bridge?
Viewing from parks is free. Harbor tours and museums require tickets.

When is the best time to photograph the bridge?
Golden hour at sunrise or sunset, and after dusk for the LED lighting.

Is the area accessible for visitors with disabilities?
Nearby parks, viewing areas, waterfront parks, museums, and most harbor tours are accessible or provide accommodations.

Will there be pedestrian or bike access after the deck replacement?
No. Only vehicular lanes will be maintained.