San Pedro.
Just above Long Beach; nice maritime museum within a block of the BB, and seaport-ish village just a bit farther along, not a bad annex to the veterans shindig. Cross the bridge and you're at Queen Mary and near Aquarium, or the other way 'round. North on 101 (Harbor Fwy)will take you past USC and museums, then the 5 to Griffith park (observatory nearby and I'd recommend). Juat don't stray far off of beaten path once out of 'Pedro. Also, coast line N of 'Pedro is nice but NOT beach like while LB does have beach but no waves.
Also.
If you're flying in try for a flight in and out of Long Beach, Orange County is OK. LAX is a plague on mankind by ANY measure, including vehicle traffic and TSA delays, LB is easy aproach, little delay, near freeway,etc.