Korean Bell of Friendship

What a stunning structure down in South Bay! I’ve always seen photos of it, but after seeing it in person it’s SO much bigger.
Coming from the Valley it’s a bit of a pain to get to, but damn this thing is nice. The views it offers of the beach is also just breathtaking. Great area to just walk around or even picnic.

What a beautiful site! It can be crowded with people but it’s never a problem!
What The Location Offers:
— There are basketball courts
— A small trail by the basketball courts to the left
— Dog friendly
— Many areas to lay out a blanket; picnic, read a book, draw, hangout etc
— Fun for children
— Great place for photoshoots
— A park nearby (just down the street) with a hidden location (Sunken City)
— FREE parking

This place is beyond beautiful! You can come here for free, have a picnic and enjoyed a 360 breathtaking view of the ocean. The place is very historical and it was so peaceful. You can either come to practice your yoga, have a picnic or fly a kite! It os a great location for a wedding pre-​nup pictorial! They have a mini playground if you are going with your kiddos. It’s a perfect place to unwind, meditate or even for a romantic date! I will definitely come back for sure.

Very nice scrneray overlooking the ocean. Nice place to have a picnic or just relax and hang out. Parking seems somewhat limited. Overall pretty cool place.

It’s a beautiful landmark, and great for romantic dates and sitting with friends to enjoy the breezy air and the smell of the ocean, or just to escape stress and you want to sit on the grassy hill staring into the horizon.
I came here on my birthday with my two lovely women friends. We ate cake here by the playground (there were benches). It was a day to remember and a moment to relive :’)
The bell is huge and is engulfed by these pillars under this temple-​looking roof. It has some Korean-​decent on it, but I am not too much of a history expert! Parking can be difficult to find if you come on a weekend (there is a parking lot when you turn in), but there is always street parking! Just be wary of the hills.
You will find kids and adults flying kites or drones here, and a basketball full-​court where you can see the ocean from atop. Pretty neat!
I will definitely come back here again in the future, but for this to be my first time here with my two other friends on my birthday it marked a very special day for me.

After seeing pictures of this Secret of SoCal numerous times on social media, I decided to venture out to San Pedro to visit the historical monument up close and personal. The Korean Bell of Friendship, also known as the Korean Friendship Bell, is an 18.7 ton, 12 foot bronze bell located at Angel’s Gate Park. It was given to the United States by the Republic of Korea to celebrate the bicenntenial of the United States and the friendship between the two nations.
Philip Ahn, a Korean-​American actor and the first Asian-​American actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, coordinated this effort on behalf of the Republic of Korea. The Korean Friendship Bell is struck five times a year: New Years Eve, Korean-​American Day, Fourth of July, Korean Liberation Day, and Constitution Day. It was also rung on September 11, 2002 to recognize the first anniversary of September 11, 2001.
The Korean Friendship Bell sits on top of a green hill and faces the ocean. I had a clear view of everything from Long Beach to Catalina Island while gazing out at the coast. Angel’s Gate Park is the perfect picnic spot; it has basketball courts, plenty of space to run, and is a peaceful location. Best of all, there is plenty of free parking! The only downside about this location is that it gets extremely windy.
For more pictures and information, check out my blog post:

This place definitely lived up to its hype. Such a peaceful place to be. You are literally at the edge of San Pedro with a 360 angle of the ocean. A very family oriented place. You can have a picnic, fly kites, take photos and have no one hassle you. We will definitely be coming here again with our family and friends.

This beautiful bell overlooks the ocean and tons of people come here to take professional photos and it’s easily one of the coolest spots in San Pedro. The grass is super green and clean and the wind created by the nearby ocean makes it a perfect place to fly kites. Too bad I didn’t bring a kite with me but it would have been so much fun to fly one here. Oddly enough, there’s also a public basketball court too.
I would recommend grabbing a picnic basket and lay around the park. This is such a super cute casual date place. After here, I would explore the Sunken City (check out my review for that: p) which is close by to finish off the day!

This is an awesome place to hang with family, check out the view overlooking San Pedro, check out the Korean architecture of the bell and temple, as well as great for photo ops background.
When we came it was super windy, so make sure you’ve got a jacket on! There was plenty of parking spots (free) and relatively easily to find off the freeway (can’t miss the giant bell on the hillside).
As you approach the bell, the vivid colors of bright green, reds and yellow just make you stop and just stare at it for a while. The temple was built to support the bell and it really does bring out the beauty of it with its arches, poles and little details.
Just a pretty place to check out with family and friends with awesome views.

How impressive! I love the Asian architecture and what a beautiful view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Bell of Friendship was presented by the Republic of Korea in 1976. It is 12 feet tall and weighs 18.7 US tons. Surrounding the bell is a huge lawn area, an outdoor basketball court, a free parking area that seems to constantly fill up and the remnants of the 1916 to 1945 Fort MacArthur. The bell is located on Gaffey Street about a block before Point Fermin Park. After visiting the bell you can walk down to Point Fermin Park and check out the Sunken City.
The Korean Bell of Friendship is struck 5 times a year:
1) New Years Eve
2) January 13 — Korean American Day
3) July 4
4) August 15 — Korean Liberation Day
5) September 17 — Constitution Day
I can’t wait to go back to hear the sounds of the amazing Bell of Friendship!

Great view. Quiet. Bell is well maintained. Free parking.

Love it. So beautiful… Sunset was breath taking. My son enjoyed watching the kites fly. It would be nice to have a picnic one day.

Man oh man. This place is soooooo nice. BALL IS LIFE! and i had to get a picture out here of me shooting a ball or something. And guess what I DID! I went right when the sun was setting so MANNNNNNNN! this was a nice view. They also have a little shrine and a playground. Spacious and a really nice escape.

A San Pedro must-​see. It has truly spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, the port to your left, and Catalina Island on clear days.
It gets pretty popular during weekends, especially during nice, warm weather as its the perfect place for a picnic, playing with your dog, flying a kite, etc. But if you come at sunset, during grey weather, or during the week there’s hardly anyone there.
You can climb some stairs and stand right next to the bell. The colors and architecture are really impressive. It’s also just down the street from the marine mammal care center so you can make a day of it and check out some sea lions (also free!)

My ex-​boyfriend in college took me here for our first date. Loved it! I’ve been visiting it again over the years.
I am finally taking my son for the first time in his life!
It’s super duper windy!

A must see if you go to San Pedro. It’s easy to find, right off Gaffey (a main street in the area), it has a big parking lot, free. No problem finding a spot. They have restrooms as well, if you’ve traveled for a while, it’s nice to have. Free to visit.
The Korean Bell is up on a hill, facing the ocean. Beautiful views of the water from up there and of Palos Verdes coast at the right. They were many people (but not crazy) taking photos, engagement photos (I can see why, there are stunning views), flying kites, playing basketball since this is a park as well. Nice greenery around.
The actual bell doesn’t disappoint, the design, the sculptures, the colors. It’s a beautiful, serene monument. I wish the skateboard dude wasn’t there taking a video of himself while jumping over and around this monument. Is that legal? It does spoil the moment a bit.
Nice spot in San Pedro, hope you’ll see it on a sunny day.

This place is gorgeous! I had seen it on some «Must See» list of LA and knew I had to make it out to this park. The park itself is relatively easy to find. Just type in Korean Friendship Bell into your handy dandy GPS and you’re good to go!
To make the most of your experience and to capture the most gorgeous pictures, I suggest going early — before the crowds get there. I got there around 9am and it was relatively empty. Just a few locals going for their morning jog. The views of the harbor and of the Pacific are breathtaking. I’m not kidding. Hopefully when you go, it’s a nice, clear day.
The friendship bell is a gorgeous sight against the California coastline. You must go.
Enjoy!

San Pedro is out of the way from… anywhere, but this park was well worth the trek. Perched on top of a hill with sweeping views of the ocean, be prepared to see many photographers gathered at this landmark.
Next time, I’ll be sure to bring a kite (the windy hilltop is perfect for kite flying). After having our fill of the bell, we went for a stroll in the nearby park, which is next to some San Pedro ocean cliffs.

«What? You’ve never been there?»
Me: «I’ve been meaning to…»
Glad I finally did!
I’ve known of this gift of friendship for many years and was periodically reminded of its existence mostly through movies (my fav The Usual Suspects) & TV shows. Always thought I should go at least once. The husband & kids went several times and I didn’t tag along for some reason.
It’s a nicely located park with a lovely view of Catalina Island behind and to the right of the bell. You can see the port of Long Beach from the left side.
Parking’s free. It’s a nice sized lot, but at times (like today) you’ll have to wait for a spot. Most people are there just for a look-​see, so the wait’s not too bad.
There’s a basketball court on the right and a kiddie playground on the left.
A perfect spot for kite flying. Some people had a huge dragon kite up today which made a prettier picture.
Dog-​friendly. Please, bring poo bags!
I’m a K-​drama addict who loves to watch the historical series.
So it was a special treat to see the beautifully painted eaves & ceilings.
The bell’s craftsmanship was impressive.
I was enchanted!
A must-​see whether you’re a local or visiting the area!

WEDDING LOCATION
My friends had their wedding here. Stunning location during sunset, elevated with a panoramic view of the ocean. Such a beautiful location to have an outdoor wedding in the fall. And NO, the bell doesn’t ring.
1) Expect wind. So if you spent x-​amount of money getting your hair done, take precaution and douse your hair with extra bold hairspray. If you’re wearing a cute dress, better have full granny panties because that will be pull that dress up. Trust! I know!
2) Parking is a basket case. There’s a parking log in the park but there are alot of tourist in and out. Few circling around or waiting a few minutes and a parking spot will free up.
3) Taking wedding photos or after the wedding photos… expect your pictures to be candid shots. Our faces are either squinting, head full of hair in your face, and with hair in all direction.
So why the 5 stars? BECAUSE THAT PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL.
Until the next review…

This place is the spot to chill and get a awesome view of the Pacific Ocean. The parking lot gets packed on the weekends but it seems you can always get a spot if you drive around the lot a couple of times.
People get married here, fly their kites, have picnics, play basketball, yoga, or just chill and appreciate nature.
Make sure you bring a blanket so you can lay down and a jacket because it does get chilly up there.

Came here to watch the Super Bloodmoon while having a picnic, it was crazy walk up the hill (I’m fat), but once you get to the top, you’ll see a cool view of the bay and there’s a small traditional Korean building with a bell inside. It was a cool place to sit down and just relax and enjoy the view.

The name was so intriguing that I just had to go and see it!!! With free parking, a beautiful surrounding park, and breathtaking ocean views, this California Landmark is outstanding!
This 17 ton, 12 feet tall bell is made of copper, tin, silver, phosphorus and gold. Some of the carvings include the 4 goddesses of peace, freedom, prosperity, and independence.
It was presented to people of Los Angeles on October 3, 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial of USA’s independence, to honor the veterans of the Korean War, and to celebrate the friendship between Korea and the USA.
The bell is fashioned after the bronze bell made in 771 AD for King Songdok which can be seen today in South Korea.
This bell in San Pedro rings five times a year:
1. New Year’s Eve
2. Korean American Day (January 13),
3. the Fourth of July
4. Korean Liberation Day (August 15)
5. Constitution Day (September 17)
I wouldn’t mind visiting the bell again and taking a closer look at the 12 columns that represent the 12 zodiac signs and animals. Maybe I’ll have better timing and be allowed to ring the bell with the wooden log?!

I think all historical landmarks need their due respect, so the Korean Bell got about a good 20 minutes. Mainly because there’s simply one main attraction — the bell.
Don’t take it the wrong way, it’s quite beautiful and the view from the cliff is breathtaking. You can even see Catalina Island in the distance.
If you’re in San Pedro, I’d recommend stopping by and checking out the bell. Parking and admission is free.
And no you cannot ring the bell! But you’re free to do karate kicks near it (or at least that’s what I saw a random family do with their kids in their karate clothes…)

Korean Friendship Bell = a tiny park with a 17 metric tons friendship bell (a gift from South Korea in honor of the U.S. bicentennial) made out of P-​Au-​Cu-​Sn-​Ag (this ain’t gangster sign — these are abbreviations for phosphorus, gold, copper, tin, and silver), a basketball court, and a killer view of the Pacific Ocean. Parking is free.
The bell will ring on the following occations: ⁷⁄₄ (U.S. Independence Day), ⁸⁄₁₅ (Korean Independence Day), ⁹⁄₁₇ (Constitution Day), ¹²⁄₃₁ (New Year’s Eve), and ¹⁄₁₃ (Korean American Day).
This park has a double-​rim full court basketball court. Hopefully the amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and strong sea breeze won’t lower your shooting percentage by that much.
A great park to fly kites, have a picnic, climb up & down the hill, play basketball, etc.

The Friendship Bell, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was a gift from the people of Korean to United States to further the friendship and trust between the two nations. It is the hope of the Korean people that the bell will forever sound prosperity for the two nations.
Free parking and admission, a great place for families and friends to hang out. From the amazing view of the ocean (you can even see Catalina Island on a clear day), to the historical bell, kids running around barefoot on the grass, flying kites and playing basketball at the basketball court. How I wished I had a kite with me, it’s very windy over there and the kids seems to have lots of fun with their kites!
Nothing much over here, not worth driving over here just for this but you should stopover if you happen to be nearby. We happen to be at Sunken City, just 5 minutes away and decided to drive over to check out the bell and the park.

Our house is close by so I often hop on my motorcycle and ride up to the bell just to relax and take in some killer views. Located towards the end of Gaffey St. in San Pedro this place is near a couple of really nice parks and Paseo Del Mar.
It’s already been covered by other Unilocalers but worth noting that you should bring a jacket as it can get kinna cold being right on the point.
The bell itself is really beautiful and a truly underrated SoCal landmark! Tons of grassy area around for picnics with the fam or even that special someone in your life. They even have a basketball court and parking is a breeze. Very well kept and very secure, a security guard will usually come around and kindly tell everybody to wrap up activities just prior to closing (6pm).
Take lots of pictures when there. Why? Because I said so!

When it’s ringing the Korean Bell of Friendship in San Pedro’s Angels Gate Park can move people to tears. Even when silent, the majestic 17-​ton bell and its intricately designed pavilion overlooking Pacific Ocean invoke nobility and splendor.
South Korean gifted the bell to the United States in 1976 to honor the U.S. bicentennial and Veterans of the Korean war. Over time, the bell has suffered the effects of rust, salt spray and graffiti and for years did not ring. Two years ago the bell and pavilion went through a restoration which included hand chiseling out some of the damage as well as an elaborate tuning process to the bell. Both are shining brighter these days. The bell will ring in the ancient sound that signifies friendship on the Fourth of July.

Beautiful spot — perfect for wedding pictures!!! The view, the history, the pavilion… plus picture perfect weather made for an amazing experience today.
And surprisingly, a pretty clean public bathroom.