Meet the Grunion at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is holding its “Meet the Grunion” program in San Pedro this week, pairing a nighttime auditorium session with a guided beach visit timed to the spring grunion run. The Los Angeles city aquarium lists a Monday, May 18, 2026 program from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. at Cabrillo Beach, and local events site We Like L.A. included it in its May 18-22 calendar. California Department of Fish and Wildlife schedules show May is part of the grunion closed season, when the fish may be observed but not touched. The program is built around that window, when the small silver fish come ashore on certain nights to spawn in wet sand. ### What exactly happens during the program? Cabrillo Marine Aquarium says the event begins with an auditorium video and presentation about grunion biology and spawning behavior before participants head to the beach for guided observation. The aquarium’s event page says the full program also includes time inside the aquarium for exploration. Cabrillo Beach closes at midnight, and the aquarium recommends warm clothing and a flashlight. We Like L.A. described the event as a guided chance to watch California grunion leave the ocean to spawn on the beach. Its listing said the evening starts at 9 p.m. and follows the indoor presentation with a staff-led observation session at Cabrillo Beach. ### Why are people going out at night to see fish? California Department of Fish and Wildlife says grunion are small, silvery fish found only along the coast of Southern California and northern Baja California. The agency says they differ from most fish because they come completely out of the water to lay their eggs in wet beach sand. The department says those runs happen on particular nights and with enough regularity that they can be predicted in advance. Its public guidance says runs usually occur shortly after high tide and that the second hour of the forecast window is often better. CDFW’s 2026 schedule is calibrated to Cabrillo Beach near the Los Angeles Harbor entrance. The agency says the listed times are a probable two-hour interval during which a spawning run may occur, not a guarantee that fish will appear in large numbers. ### What are the rules in May 2026? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says April, May and June are closed season for grunion. During that period, contact with grunion is prohibited, though discreet observation is allowed. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium gives the same instruction on its event page, saying grunion may be observed but not touched during April, May and June. In March and July, the aquarium says grunion may be taken by hand only, and people 16 and older need a valid California fishing license during open season. CDFW says no holes may be dug in the beach to trap grunion and the bag and possession limit during open season is 30 fish per person. Those take rules do not apply to this week’s aquarium outing because May is observation-only season. ### How much does it cost, and who gets in free? Cabrillo Marine Aquarium lists admission at $7 for adults and $3 for seniors, students and children. Friends members are admitted free, according to the aquarium’s event page. We Like L.A. listed non-member tickets at $10 in its weekly roundup. The aquarium’s own event listing is the primary ticket source and the more specific current pricing page for the program. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s main visitor page lists the site at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive in San Pedro. The aquarium says regular building hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., though “Meet the Grunion” is a separate nighttime event. ### If you miss this week, when is the next chance? Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s 2026 public programs calendar lists additional “Meet the Grunion” nights on Tuesday, June 2, Tuesday, June 16, and Tuesday, June 30. The same calendar shows the June 2 event starting at 9 p.m., the June 16 event at 8 p.m., and the June 30 event at 7:30 p.m. California Department of Fish and Wildlife says grunion runs can be predicted a year in advance and publishes annual expected-run schedules for Cabrillo Beach. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium directs visitors to buy tickets through its events page, where the June dates are already posted.