Meet the Grunion at Marine Cabrillo Aquarium

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium held its “Meet the Grunion” program on Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Pedro, adding a guided public event to one of Southern California’s best-known seasonal wildlife spectacles. The City of Los Angeles aquarium said the program begins with an indoor presentation on grunion biology and mating behavior, then moves to Cabrillo Beach for a staff-led observation session. We Like L.A. listed the event in its May 18-22 roundup and said the program started at 9 p.m. for non-members at $10. California wildlife officials say grunion runs can be predicted around nighttime high tides after full and new moons, though no run is guaranteed on any given night. ### What exactly happens during “Meet the Grunion”? Cabrillo Marine Aquarium describes the event as a nighttime program built around education first and beach observation second. The aquarium says visitors watch an auditorium presentation or video about the fish, explore the aquarium, and then head out for guided viewing on the sand at Cabrillo Beach. Cabrillo Beach closes at midnight, according to the aquarium’s event listing, and the venue recommends warm clothing and a flashlight. (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov) The aquarium’s home page listed “Meet the Grunion” as a featured public program for Monday, May 18, 2026, from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive in San Pedro. ### Why is timing so specific for grunion runs? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says grunion spawning occurs on four consecutive nights beginning after full and new moons, following high tides and continuing for several hours. (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov) The agency says the fish ride waves onto sandy beaches, where spawning happens out of the water and can be forecast far in advance because of the regular timing. The state’s grunion schedule specifically includes predicted runs for Cabrillo Beach near the Los Angeles Harbor entrance, according to the wildlife department. The agency says the listed times represent a probable two-hour window and that the second hour is usually better, with the strongest runs often on the second and third nights of a four-night period. ### Can visitors touch or catch the fish in May? (wildlife.ca.gov) April, May and June are closed season for grunion, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife says. During that period, the fish may be observed but not touched, handled or taken, a rule repeated in Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s event information. March and July are open season, the aquarium says, when grunion may be taken only by hand. The aquarium’s event page says grunion hunters age 16 or older must have a valid California fishing license during open season. (wildlife.ca.gov) ### What makes grunion unusual enough to draw crowds? California grunion are one of the few fish species in the world that spawn completely out of the water, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife says. (wildlife.ca.gov) The agency says females dig into wave-washed sand with their tails to deposit eggs while males release milt around them before the adults return to the ocean. (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov) Southern California beaches have long drawn nighttime spectators because the runs can happen close to shore and in large numbers, though wildlife officials note that some nights produce more people than fish. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has built a recurring public program around that uncertainty, framing the outing as a guided chance to observe rather than a guaranteed sighting. ### Where can visitors check the next chance to go? (cdfwmarine.wordpress.com) Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s website lists upcoming programs and ticket information for grunion events, including fees that appear on current event pages. We Like L.A.’s weekly calendar also flagged the May 18 program as one of the area’s featured outings for the week of May 18-22. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife keeps the annual grunion forecast online, including predicted dates and time windows for Cabrillo Beach. (wildlife.ca.gov) For anyone planning another visit after May 19, 2026, the next step is to match the state’s tide-based schedule with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s posted event calendar and beach access rules. (wildlife.ca.gov) (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov)