A Day at Sea: Antelope Valley Older Adults Explore L.A.’s Maritime History

Older adults from the Antelope Valley Senior Center (AVSC) swapped a hot summer day in the desert for a few hours of sea breezes while exploring the Los Angeles Maritime Museum (lamaritimemuseum.org)  and the surrounding port area.

Located in San Pedro, the museum features exhibits on the history of the Port of Los Angeles, including artifacts, photos, and intricate models of sailing ships and naval vessels. The day-trippers got glimpses into the lives of Navy sailors, fishermen, and other seafarers. The Art Deco building housing the museum was once a ferry terminal for service between San Pedro and Terminal Island.

In addition to the museum, the group was able to see a cruise ship up close, as well as the battleship Iowa, docked nearby.

Cliff and Esther Walker, a couple married for over 52 years, were among the visitors. The couple has been coming to the senior center for about 20 years. “I like the trips,” Cliff Walker said. “We go about five or six times a year. It’s like a vacation.” Esther Walker said she comes to the center for lunches and to exercise. “That’s my second home,” she said.

The senior center serves between 250 to 300 people each day, most taking advantage of the free lunches. The center also offers a place to socialize, exercise, and play games like dominoes and chess. A variety of classes are available, including dancing, painting, and crochet, said Center Director Cynthia Cole-Robles.

“Our programming is decided by the seniors themselves. They decide what classes they want, and how they want the classes to run,” Cole-Robles said. “I’m just here as a facilitator of their ideas.”

The center offers day trips about once a month. Destinations are chosen by the staff and through suggestions from the older adults themselves.

“We offer these trips so they can come down here and explore other parts of Los Angeles County in a safe environment,” Cole-Robles said. “People enjoy being out and being with friends, having a break from their normal routines.”

Among those on the trip were friends Belen Lontoc and Mirna Rivera. Lontoc said she goes to the center to talk with friends, have lunch, and take classes in painting and Zumba.

“I live alone and just stay in the house and watch TV,” Lontoc said. “Here, I can see beautiful scenery and talk with my friend.”

Rivera said she started going to the center about two years ago.

“I enjoy the food, and I’ve met a lot of friends,” Rivera said. “It’s important for us older people to keep doing something because at home can get so depressed. At home, you think about bills and health issues. Here, you have a good way to escape the Antelope Valley heat. We don’t drive far anymore. It’s very tough for us to get out by ourselves.”