Our Mexican Riviera Cruise: Highlights & Helpful Tips
We recently returned from our Mexican Riviera cruise, and it was such a fun and memorable trip. From Cabo to Mazatlán to Puerto Vallarta, each stop had something unique to offer. I’m sharing our favorite highlights along with helpful tips we learned along the way to make your own cruise even better.
We decided on this cruise after receiving a tax-and-gratuity-only offer directly from the cruise line. Finding opportunities like this has become part of how we approach travel in retirement—staying flexible, watching for value, and choosing trips that feel enjoyable rather than rushed.
One thing we’ve learned over time is that arriving the day before a cruise makes the entire experience more relaxed. Instead of worrying about delays or rushing to the port, it gives you time to settle in and actually enjoy the start of your trip.
For this cruise, we arrived in the Los Angeles area the day before and stayed in San Pedro, which turned out to be a great decision. If you're sailing out of the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro is a convenient and easy place to stay before embarkation.
Where We Stayed
We booked a room at the Pacific Inn & Suites for around $95 a night — clean, convenient, and just a short Uber ride (about 16 minutes) to the cruise terminal. It’s nothing fancy, but exactly what you need for a one-night pre-cruise stay. Parking is available on site, and the property is well kept with pretty flower beds out front.
Where to Eat
For a late lunch, we discovered the Lighthouse Cafe nearby and absolutely loved it. The food was great and the atmosphere was charming. One important tip — they close early! Hours are 8am to 3pm, so plan accordingly. It’s perfect for breakfast or lunch, but not dinner.
Walk to Cabrillo Beach
Feeling adventurous, we walked down to Cabrillo Beach — and I do mean DOWN. It’s a hill! The walk down was manageable, but coming back up was definitely a workout. Totally worth it though for the views, the pier, the lifeguard tower, and the peaceful marina scenery.
Traveling with friends adds an extra layer to trips like this. Sharing the planning process and looking forward to time together is just as much a part of the experience as the destinations themselves. To stay organized, I created a travel itinerary guide that we used for this trip — and I now share a version of it on Etsy for anyone planning something similar.
Battleship Iowa — San Pedro, CA
Don't Leave San Pedro Without Visiting the Battleship Iowa
If your Mexican Riviera cruise ends in San Pedro and you have a late flight home, do yourself a favor and don't head straight to the airport. We made the most of our final day by visiting the Battleship Iowa Museum right on the San Pedro waterfront — and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the whole trip.
All four of us went together, and honestly? It was the perfect way to cap off an incredible week.
A Living Piece of American History
Nicknamed "The Big Stick," the USS Iowa is a World War II marvel that has been through wars, hosted famous guests, survived tragedies, and welcomed visitors from all over the world. She was launched in 1942, commissioned in 1943, and served in WWII, the Korean War, and the Cold War — earning 11 battle stars along the way. She's hosted five U.S. Presidents and is known as "The Battleship of Presidents."
What struck us most was how the experience made you feel the reality of war in a very human way. Seeing how the massive cannons and missiles were loaded and fired, and then stepping into the tiny living quarters where crew members spent months at a time — it's both fascinating and humbling. History class can't prepare you for standing inside it.
What You'll See on the Self-Guided Tour
The self-guided tour map in your brochure gives you nine key stops across multiple decks:
Main Deck — where the ship's massive forward 16-inch gun turrets are best viewed
Wardroom — the officers' recreation and dining area, which doubled as a medical care area during combat
Captain's Cabin — where President Franklin D. Roosevelt stayed during his secret 1943 voyage to the Tehran Conference (including the only bathtub ever installed on a Navy warship for a sitting president — because of FDR's polio)
5-inch Guns — secondary armament that could target both airborne and surface targets
Signal & Flag Bridge — where flags were used to communicate with other ships
Armored Conning Tower — protected by 17.3 inches of steel, considered the safest place to navigate the ship
Protective Systems — the Phalanx system could fire up to 3,000 rounds per minute at incoming cruise missiles
Chaff Mortars — fire decoys used to fool and confuse anti-ship missiles
Missile Deck — Harpoon and Tomahawk launchers added in the 1980s when the ship's weapons were modernized
Our personal favorite? The artifacts room — where the ship's history really comes to life in a tangible, meaningful way. The guys in our group were absolutely riveted from start to finish.
Guided vs. Self-Guided Tours
The museum offers both options. Self-guided tours are included with general admission. Private guided tours and special behind-the-scenes tours (by reservation only) take you into areas not accessible on the self-guided route — including the Engineering spaces, the Big Guns tour, and the Presidential Tour. We chose self-guided and loved the freedom to linger wherever we wanted.
After Your Tour — Vicky's Doghouse Cafe
Work up an appetite on those decks? Stop at Vicky's Doghouse Cafe on the fantail of the ship — gourmet hot dogs, sandwiches, and drinks with harbor views. There's also a Ship's Store for souvenirs and gifts, and all purchases help support the museum's nonprofit mission.
Practical Tips Before You Go
Open 7 days a week, 10am–5pm (last tickets sold at 4pm); closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Ticket prices: $29.95 adults / $26.95 seniors (62+) & military / $21.95 youth (ages 3–11) / children under 3 free
The museum has 34 luggage lockers on site — perfect for cruise passengers still hauling bags
Watch your step! The ship is being refurbished and some decks have plywood covering renovation areas
Parking: free first hour, then $2/hour up to $22 maximum
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes — heels and flip flops are not recommended
Book tickets in advance through Viator: Book Battleship Iowa Tickets
Battleship Iowa Museum — 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA 90731 — pacificbattleship.com