Palos Verdes developers Eric and Alan Johnson are bringing new life to the Port of Los Angeles with the construction of West Harbor, a bold new waterfront destination set to transform and reinvent the historic but faded Ports O’ Call Village site. Through their family company Jerico Development Inc., the brothers, along with siblings Craig and Ann Johnson, have partnered with joint venture developer The Ratkovich Company and private equity investor Osprey Investments to create a space that merges local history with fresh, exciting new experiences.
Think live concerts, chill waterfront park spaces, top-notch dining, amusement attractions, recreational options, and bustling waterside activities where visitors can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of a working port and the “industrial theater” of its 24/7 maritime commerce. This long-awaited redevelopment aims to reinvigorate the LA Waterfront, honor San Pedro’s maritime roots, and draw tourists and locals alike back to San Pedro’s historic downtown and waterfront attractions.
Among the most thrilling features of this development will be a spectacular Ferris wheel and amusement park with 3 or 4 additional rides and a carousel. Other attractions will include an outdoor concert venue being developed in partnership with Nederlander Concerts LA, pickleball and Padel courts alongside world-class restaurants and floating attractions that redefine a unique waterfront entertainment experience.
At the heart of the project are Eric and Alan Johnson, longtime residents of Palos Verdes, whose deep ties to both the community and the Port have influenced the development’s vision.
“I’ve lived on the Palos Verdes Peninsula most of my life and remember fondly the construction and opening of the original Ports O’ Call in the 1960s, when Alan and I were in grade school. After being selected by the City of Los Angeles to redevelop this once iconic site, we knew intuitively from firsthand experience just what a unique, authentic and fun place the West Harbor site could be. We wanted to create a new unique, forward-looking, and vibrant waterfront attraction that would recapture that pride of place we felt as kids by having Ports O’ Call in our backyard,” Eric recalls.
The Johnson family traces their South Bay roots back to the 1920s. Eric and Alan, who have called the Palos Verdes Peninsula home for decades, have a strong connection to the San Pedro Bay port complex that goes beyond development; their family’s history is rooted in the industrial sectors of the region. Their family business began in 1921 in Long Beach, starting in cranes and trucks supporting the oil and gas industry, and moving into oil exploration and production in California and other western states. Over the years, the Johnsons have transitioned from industrial activities in energy to real estate development, always with a focus on the communities where they live, work and build.
“We’ve been investing in this area for over 40 years,” says Alan. “It’s our home, and we’ve seen the potential in San Pedro for decades. “Now, with the support of the community and the Port of Los Angeles, we’re finally bringing this shared vision to life.”
Covering 42 acres of the Port of Los Angeles waterfront, West Harbor is all about community connection and culinary, recreational and entertainment excitement. The lineup includes Mike Hess Brewing, King and Queen Cantina, the Hopscotch immersive entertainment experience, Poppy and Rose, and Mario’s Neighborhood Butcher Shop & Delicatessen. Stealing the spotlight, Yamashiro, Hollywood’s iconic Japanese restaurant will bring its famed food and Hollywood vibe to the harbor.
West Harbor notes that it is currently “openish” with the San Pedro Fish Market, Harbor Breeze Cruises, Wheel Fun Rentals, Catalina Tea Bar, and Coffee with Crème & Sugar open now in the Town Square at 6th Street and Harbor Blvd. They will be joined this spring by a pop-up park called Berth 84 that will feature rotating events and dining activations like Miller Butler, a local favorite pop-up entrepreneur.
With a vibrant mix of restaurants, retail spaces and entertainment offerings, West Harbor’s crown jewel will be a proposed 6,200-seat outdoor amphitheater that the Johnsons believe will redefine the area’s cultural scene and help establish West Harbor as a regional Southern California destination. “The amphitheater is such a big focus for us,” says Alan. “It’s going to bring thousands of people down to the waterfront who might not otherwise visit. And once they’re here, they’ll see the beauty of this place and come back for more. We think it’s really going to enrich the waterfront experience and put us on the map. We are so fortunate to have partnered with Nederlander Concerts LA to imagine and create this world-class waterfront music venue.”
The amphitheater concept grew out of the Johnsons’ firsthand experience of the longstanding need for a quality entertainment venue in the South Bay. “Growing up in PV, we always had to drive a long way to see the quality acts we wanted to hear, to the Hollywood Bowl, the Greek, or Irvine,” Eric explains. “The drive was a pain, and the parking worse. We wanted to fill that geographical void for local residents with a venue capable of attracting quality acts. We also realized that there was an opportunity to create an entertainment venue experience unique to Los Angeles: A waterfront location with direct freeway access, ample parking onsite and nearby, lots of walkable choices to enjoy a great meal before the show, and things to do after the show if you’re up for it.”
But the West Harbor project is about more than just entertainment; it’s about reconnecting the waterfront with the local community, especially San Pedro. “The north end of West Harbor is where Sixth Street meets the water, which gives this tangible connection to downtown San Pedro,” notes Alan. “The local economy is important to us and we’re excited to see how this project will invigorate both the Port and San Pedro’s historic downtown area.”
A significant aspect of the project includes the renowned San Pedro Fish Market. Rather than building a new complex nearby, the Fish Market decided to become part of West Harbor, expanding to accommodate up to 3,000 diners in their own spacious new single-tenant building after initially serving 1,600 in its temporary outdoor phase. This move preserves a local favorite that has been a regional draw for 50 years.
West Harbor and Palos Verdes resident Dan Salas, owner of Harbor Breeze Cruises, are jointly developing the West Harbor waterside. West Harbor’s waterside activities will include whale-watching, harbor and dinner cruises, sport fishing, dive boats, and more to create an unforgettable harbor experience on both land and water. West Harbor aims to blend these traditional vessel operations with other unique floating experiences that immerse guests in the vibrant waterfront atmosphere and actually get visitors physically out on the water.
“We’re working hard to take full advantage of the mile-long water frontage that we have,” Alan explains, highlighting potential features like an oyster bar on a tall ship, an event space and a spa on a barge, built off-site in a shipyard.
The City and Port of Los Angeles have been crucial partners in the project, contributing over $150 million in infrastructure improvements to complement the nearly $200 million being spent by the developers. “Without the Port’s faith in us and our vision for the site, none of this would have been possible,” says Eric. “It’s rare to have this level of true community engagement and support, led by our local elected government officials. Together we generated genuine support for a project of this scale and impact. It’s really a dream come true and rare in the development world.”
As the Johnsons look to the future, they are hopeful that West Harbor will not only transform the waterfront but also strengthen the South Bay bonds between Palos Verdes and San Pedro and make a strong connection to the greater Los Angeles community, while creating a regional Southern California destination.
“This project is more than just business for us, it’s about transformation,” says Eric. “It’s about having the opportunity to make a difference and create something lasting for the community you live in. Creating a place where people of all ages will get together, have fun on the water, enjoy great food and entertainment, and create memories of unique experiences on the San Pedro waterfront for generations to come. We’re rebuilding this important site for the future, while honoring its past and embracing our connection with the working Port of Los Angeles.”
West Harbor will open in phases, with the first wave of tenants opening their restaurant and retail spaces as early as summer 2025. The rest of the West Harbor project site, including the proposed amphitheater, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026. As anticipation grows, one thing is certain: This reimagined waterfront stands as a bold testament to the Johnsons’ unwavering dedication to transforming the Port into a vibrant, community-driven destination. Their vision is clear: Create a bustling waterside gathering place where history and innovation meet, shaping a thriving future for the City of Los Angeles and its waterfront.
