Meet the Grunion at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s “Meet the Grunion” program gave visitors a late-night chance on Monday, May 18, to learn about one of Southern California’s most recognizable seasonal wildlife events. The San Pedro aquarium said the program combined an indoor presentation on grunion biology with a guided observation session at Cabrillo Beach, where the small silver fish sometimes come ashore to spawn. We Like L.A. included the event in its May 18-22 roundup of local programming and said the evening started at 9 p.m. The aquarium’s event page listed the public program from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. and said beach conditions and fish activity can affect what visitors see. ### What exactly did visitors get at the aquarium that night? Cabrillo Marine Aquarium said the full program included an auditorium video or presentation about grunion, time to explore the aquarium, and a staff-led observation at the beach. The listing described the fish as coming up on the sand to spawn during seasonal runs tied to nighttime tides. We Like L.A. said the event was framed as a guided opportunity to “hopefully” watch California grunion leave the ocean to spawn on the beach. (welikela.com) The site said the evening began inside the aquarium auditorium with an educational presentation before the group moved outside for observation at Cabrillo Beach. ### When was this week’s program, and was it still upcoming? (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov) Monday, May 18, was the date for the program highlighted in the local events roundup. As of Thursday, May 21, that specific event had already passed. The aquarium’s public calendar identified “Meet the Grunion” on May 18 from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. (welikela.com) Thursday, May 21, falls later in the same week referenced by the roundup, but the grunion program itself was not scheduled for May 21 in the aquarium calendar results reviewed. The next listed “Meet the Grunion” date on the aquarium calendar was Tuesday, June 2, 2026. ### How much did it cost, and who got in free? Cabrillo Marine Aquarium listed admission for “Meet the Grunion” at $7 for adults and $3 for seniors, students and children, with Friends members admitted free. (welikela.com) The aquarium’s standalone event page carried that pricing, while We Like L.A.’s roundup listed non-member tickets at $10, indicating a discrepancy between the two public listings. (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov) The aquarium page also told visitors to bring warm clothing and a flashlight. Cabrillo Beach closes at midnight, according to the same listing, which aligns with the event’s late-night schedule. ### What are grunion, and why is Cabrillo Beach a viewing spot? California grunion are fish known for coming ashore on beaches at night to spawn during spring and summer runs. (welikela.com) Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s event page said the program focuses on the fish’s biology and mating rituals, while outside schedule listings described Cabrillo Beach as one of the better places to observe the runs. (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov) NBC Los Angeles reported last month that Cabrillo Marine Aquarium had several “Meet the Grunion” nights coming up this season. That report described grunion runs as a returning local natural event and tied the aquarium’s programming to the annual spawning period. ### If someone missed the May 18 event, what comes next? Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s calendar lists the next “Meet the Grunion” public program for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. at the San Pedro aquarium. (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov) The aquarium’s events page is the clearest source for the current date, time and ticket details, while We Like L.A.’s roundup remains a secondary listing for the week’s programming. (nbclosangeles.com) June 2 is the next named date in the aquarium calendar, and the event page says tickets are available through the aquarium’s booking system. Visitors planning to attend are advised there to check the program details, dress for cool nighttime conditions and bring a flashlight. (cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov)