ive taken my 18 out from 2nd street/belmont shores in long beach.  its pretty crazy to drive up next to one of the big cruise liners, tankers, or cargo ships just anchored in the harbor.  u can also go into san pedro area and check out the port.  theres also queen mary as well.  just make sure u flush... that salt water does some nasty stuff.  also go check the local surf report, last time i went out there were some ROLLERS and i got pounded pretty hard. even though you're in the breakwater it still gets pretty rough.