Best places to see L.A. harbor’s tall-ships parade, big Rubber Duck

More than a dozen tall ships and a six-story-high Rubber Duck are scheduled to sail into Los Angeles’ harbor at 2 p.m. Wednesday (today) at the start of the Tall Ships Festival L.A.

The duck, an inflatable art project that’s turned up in cities around the world, will lead the parade.

Before the event begins, ships are to gather around noon in the waters off Point Fermin Park at South Gaffey Street and Paseo del Mar before sailing into the main channel.

Best high points to watch the action: Point Fermin and Angeles Gate Park at the Korean Bell (Gaffey and 37th streets). Both should offer good views of the lineup.

Closer to the water, visitors can go to Ports O’ Call Village, where it costs $5 to park (enter from Harbor Boulevard and 6th Street) or buy a ticket ($15 to $19) to enter the Festival Grounds and get a dockside view.

Rubber Duck, created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, will be “tethered to a heavy round barge” to keep it from blowing away and will be illuminated until 11 each night, the event’s website says.

Boats in the lineup include the sailing yacht Jada from San Diego, the Tole Mour schooner from Catalina Island, the American Pride based in Southern California and the Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson, both named L.A.’s official tall ships.

The festival features onboard tours, day sails, entertainment and DIY projects at Crafted, the arts-and-crafts marketplace at 112 E. 22nd St. in San Pedro. The festival is scheduled to run from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Info: Tall Ships Festival L.A.