A Guide to the Best of Southern California : SHOPTALK : Nautical Nostalgia

CHARLES A. LINDBERGH bought charts there for his historic pre-World War II journey. So did Wrong Way Corrigan for his misdirected flight. In the days before electronic navigation, four tools were needed to take a vessel from here to there: a chart, a chronometer, a compass and a sextant. Though new systems are making all but the chart obsolete, Southwest Instrument Co. in San Pedro--the only such shop in Southern California--still stocks all four.

Southwest Instrument, a partnership of chronometer maker Norbert Cupp and compass adjuster Steve Moisen, has been located on the same street since 1926 and at the same address since 1951. To walk among the fine instruments, nautical books and ship models is to enter a time warp of the nautical past. On a lower floor, the vast selection of charts and sailing directions from the world over is enough to stir any sailor’s wanderlust.

Southwest Instrument Co., 235 W. 7th St., San Pedro; (213) 519-7800.