Such a fun experience!!!! Great to start out during the observation only season before diving right in (for kids) this allows kids to know what to expect when you can actually touch them. We, don't keep them. We often empty our buckets in buckets of families that do eat them. Brink head lamps and 5 gal buckets. It's all you need. Be prepared that there's a bunch of people but everyone is very nice and are never pushy. It's all for fun!!! The staff of the aquarium are there to guide you when to run out. Be patient and be quiet in the beginning. Remember things echo and you want the fish to come to shore. Once it starts.... It never ends lol read more

Awesome experience! Went having no expectations only hopes and was not disappointed- nature was on our side- found parking in nearby residential area since beach lot closes at 10 pm- went near the outer beach area and waited quietly- lucked out during first hour- would definitely come again and take my grandsons to view and hopefully they'll have a successful experience. Go by chart on website- remain quiet- with full moon flashlights not really necessary plus don't want to interfere and the grunion don't like sustained light. We went on an observation only night- would need a license to catch any during open season. read more

Grunion Run - Literally hundreds - Beaches Near Me - San Pedro, California

After years of disappointment of hit and miss doing grunion runs in OC, we decided to go to Cabrillo Beach this year following the open season schedule. Best time to go is the 2nd hour of the 2nd or 3rd night of the 4-day period posted by California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/grunionschedule.asp). We had good success this year here with over 70+ grunions before we got tired of catching them. As we went home, there were still many fish coming ashore to spawn and flapping around on the sand. Things to bring include chair (to sit on while you wait for them to appear), headlamp/flashlight, gloves, towel, change of clothes (optional), and bucket. You're only allowed to catch with bare hands and a valid fish license (~$15 at sporting good store), no tools, if you plan to take them home. The grunions are quite smart that they will send out scouts to see which area has hungry hunters waiting for them. Try to wait for the 2nd hour before any action, especially half hour AFTER the tide for pools of fishies to come out from hiding. As the waves come in, the fishes will come ashore to dig into sand to spawn eggs. Watch out for the silver flapping movements to quickly catch them before the grunions go back in water. It's a chase game for sure! Best plan is to team up for one person to shine light and the other to be the grunion ninja to catch the fish. Beware though, the grunions will avoid light and noise, so it is a delicate dance on how catch them. Here's Grunion Run 101: 1. Turn off light and keep voice down 2. Wait for big wave to come in (~2nd hour) 3. Keep eyes on sand for silver movement as the tide go back. 4. When you see action, go lightning speed to get the fish and have friend shine light on the fish... there will be many people of all ages going after the same fish. You snooze, you lose! 5. Transfer caught grunions into bucket filled with water PARKING: Paid parking lot ($~3) closes at 10pm unless Cabrillo Aquarium Museum is hosting grunion event, and the closing time varies. Best to park OUTSIDE of the parking lot on the street to avoid being locked inside the gate. TIP: - YOU...WILL...GET...WET, so wear shorts or water friendly bottoms, or bring change of clothing. - Bring cloth or gardening gloves. The grunions are very slippery when you grab them with bare hands. - If you plan to take the grunions home, bring a large bucket, the bigger the better, so you can fill water in without worrying the grunions will jump out of the container - Bathroom is closed at night, only 2 portal-potties accessible on the parking lot - It will be cold, so make sure to wear warm jacket/sweater~ read more

Grunion Run - Beaches Near Me - San Pedro, California

The grunion run is a natural phenomenon in Southern California, in which these little, silvery fish wash themselves up on shore to partake in one giant orgy when the moon enters certain phases in the spring and summer months. Everyone should see it at least once, if only to partake in a bit of fishy voyeurism. It's a real marvel right here on our shores. The females come up on shore, burrow tail-first into the sand, and proceed to lay their eggs. It's the males' jobs to wrap around them and squirt their milt into the hole and fertilize the roe. During open season, barring that you're a minor or have obtained the proper fishing permit, you're allowed to take what grunion you catch solely with your bare hands. Using any sort of implement is illegal. The nearby Cabrillo Marine Aquarium hosts teaching events on certain nights of the run, when they believe there will be more fish. It's $5 for adults, $1 for kids. You can walk around the aquarium at night, check out the exhibits, and they show an old film about the grunion's spawning ritual. Sometimes they distribute jars of fertilized eggs that are ready to hatch. They pour sea water in, and you have to vigorously shake the jar (simulating sea waves) to help the eggs along. Eventually they pop from the shell and you see the little fry swimming around the jar. You just helped in the birthing process of an extraordinarily fascinating creature. After a time, the aquarium staff take groups out to the shore to wait for the run to start. You have to stand still and quiet, without flashing any lights. Some experts believe the grunion send scout fish to the beach to check for predators and ideal conditions. If there was too much noise or light, the chances of a large run are slim. You have to wait for the go-ahead from aquarium employees before you can turn on your flashlights or try to catch them (pending that it's open season). Since it is a public beach, it's completely optional to attend the ticketed Meet the Grunion festivities. You could otherwise just show up at the beach when the groups head out to it. I've seen the grunion come to other places like Seal Beach and Santa Monica, near the pier, but in no greater numbers than at Cabrillo. The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has a list of dates the grunion MIGHT appear on here: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/grunionschedule.asp read more

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Was visiting on the last legal week to catch them and ent to Cabrillo one night and Dana point the other and no luck. Stayed quite, no lights and a cooler to sit on. Did not see a single fish but wife and I had fun spending time together. Had a hard time getting her to leave because she kept saying as soon as we leave they will show up read more

So some people see a lot of grunion. I'm not those people. Don't get me wrong. I did see the small, silvery fish, but not up close and not in large numbers. My group kept moving around, apparently scaring away the shy fish who can sense movement on the beach. Therefore, we'd see fish to the left, move there, then see fish to the right. Even when we stayed in one spot, they were always in the distance and we couldn't win. The museum staff collect the fish for spawning purposes and show you how it's done. They literally squeeze the fish until their eggs and sperm squirt out into buckets, which is actually quite gross. It was definitely an adventure, and I recommend going, but don't be surprised if it's not overwhelmingly spectacular. Then again, it might be for you, if you're lucky! read more

Did not see one grunion. Saw hoards of people with little miners lights strapped to their heads and big buckets. I have more questions than answers in this review, I apologize for that. Maybe all the people scare them away? What do they do with the grunion when they catch them? Do you eat them? Who knows? Not me, apparently. It would be interesting to try again. Reading Yelp, it seemed like this was "the" beach to see them. I didn't realize sometimes they just don't appear at all. Its so weird how there are certain dates they come.. I think it is according to the moon phases? Beach was nice and safe, plenty of parking, lots of families having a good old time, at midnight! Gotta love it. read more

Went on Sunday, July 9. As we read in some previous posts they started coming out around the second hour. People need to learn not to capture the scout fish. It would be nice to see the spawning process, but people won't wait for them to bury themselves to see that happen. We caught about 17 and released them back in. Our kids had a ton of fun and want to come back. Best free fishing trip ever! read more

Grunion Run - Beaches Near Me - San Pedro, California

Tons of grunions at Long Beach on March 25-26th, 2016. Perfect night! Easy parking and timed it beautifully where we did not have to wait around for the critters to come on shore. read more

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A grunion run experience is highly dependent on when and where you go. Just as you cannot control when the fish come, you cannot control the actions of people who don't do the research to ensure a successful run. One of the first runs I ever went to, at the peak of it had thousands of grunion come on shore. I don't think I even saw a schedule online, I somehow found a schedule somewhere, since this was before the internet was an everyday part of our lives. It was dark and at first I only saw one or two shadows rolling in. I wasn't sure though, maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me. But soon they came in groups of 20s and 30s...but when I'd go over to where they were, they'd stop coming up, and would come up several feet from me. My friend who had gone with me watched from a distance but then joined me and we eventually saw hundreds and thousands, and they didn't care that we were there anymore. They just kept coming. We were at Belmont Shores in Long Beach, I had heard that was a good location, and that we should go to a south-facing beach. Since then, I've been on many grunion runs, and sometimes nothing shows up. I know what to look for... if it's a rocky beach, they will never come. I have never seen them show up in August. If there are a lot of people on the beach, they will not come up unless you're at Cabrillo Aquarium when they have the grunion run nights...but even then you don't see that many because there's a lot of people there. It's just that the staff tries their best to control the crowds so as not to frighten the grunion scouts away. My advice...go during closed season, or on that one night that goes from closed to open (May 31st) because after midnight it becomes June 1 and then you can hunt. Not all years will have a run on that night though. Go on a weeknight, tends to be fewer people. And those few people tend to know what they're doing. The worst possible time is during open season on a Friday or Saturday night, especially one that starts earlier like 10:30 pm or so. Very likely lots of other people will be there, making lots of noise...one time I went there were 2-3 bonfires on the beach. No grunion showed up. Now when I show up to the beach and there's a lot of people, I leave. I know I will see nothing. read more

This is something to witness. it looks like a silver blanket of fishes. Make sure to bring a blanket and warm drink (hot cocoa). it can get pretty chilly in March and April. Definitely bring your children; it is a natural phenomenon; I think they come out during moon nights ; so plan accordingly! better view. Don't bring your dog please. from March to July. more info schedule etc on: http://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org/education/programs-individual-family/meet-the-grunion.asp read more

I went 2 nights, first was 3rd night of a run and second was the 4th and last night of a run. The first night there were grunion everywhere and we got about 250 fish! Second night I saw only about 2 fish the whole time. But overall it was so much fun with the family I can't wait to go back. read more

When I was there people caught some fish. I'm thinking they were catching the scout fish cause no grunion came aftes that and it's frustrating cause people had crates and they were on the water trying to catch the grunions in the water. It was too funny everyone was in the water as I did because everyone was in the water I can really do anything lol just tried to enjoy the water. I already knew the grunion weren't coming. People were playing loud music. They had the flashlight on. I mean it was a mess lol. I saw a guy walk around he should have told people TURN Flashlight, Wait on the shore, when the BIG WAVE COMES AND YOU SEE FISH RUN quick and get the fish. read more

Cabrillo Beach Grunion Run 2014 Welp Yelp! I did it! I hadn't been to the grunion run in quite a few revolutions around the Sun, but I updated that status this past Saturday, June28th. What a marvel of Mother Nature that is only available for viewing at California South Facing beaches. The female grunion fish burrow in the sand onshore to lay eggs, then the males come along to fertilize the eggs with their "milt" and we get to WATCH THEM! WHOO HOOO! Gotta love nature! I wasn't certain what the weather would be like, so I made sure I packed the car with some fleece throws, antibacterial wipes and sanitizer, I made sure everyone had a towel and brought a jacket and we brought our beach chairs thanks to my friendly Yelp "Grunion Run consultant RHUMZ M.!" We made sure the little ones had their naps later in the day so they could be up for the spectacle (they fell asleep anyway). Of course snacks were packed, I made a few gallons of hot chocolate (bring marshmallows and whipped cream if you want the kiddies to be delighted), and of course water to hydrate and clean dirty beach feet later. I was thinking beach weather at night could turn cold on us even though the days have been quite warm. As it turns out the weather was in the 60s and SUPER pleasant, tropical even. We arrived to the Cabrillo Beach parking lot one hour before the colossal fish hook-up was scheduled to begin (the 10:00 start time is approximate and they aren't guaranteed to show because unfortunately the beach crew does not run Mother Nature). The line into parking was not too bad (flat rate of 3.50 to park) but we ended up parking at the end of the parking lot where lifeguards usually park (we were assured by one of the beach staff that this was okay but if you go you should ask anyway). We walked about 50 yards to a sandy spot on the beach near scores of other grunion enthusiasts. This particular location on the beach had these large pillars about 20 yards out from the shoreline and there was no real "tide". It seemed like a "mother's beach". We soon found out that this was not where the grunion were expected to show. Some of the attendees at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Grunion Program were walking in a large group to the proper location (the aquarium has a program on grunion nights that is worth checking out, 5.00 for adults, 1.00 for children - check out their website). We followed the wise Aquarium folk to the other side of the beach (closer to the Parking entrance). Ideally to view grunion according to these folks you should be quiet, DO NOT USE FLASHLIGHTS UNTIL THEY SAY SO, and don't stomp and frolic in the water, the grunion are easily scared away if these rules aren't followed. Unfortunately the hundreds of people in attendance either did not do their homework or they didn't care. The many kids and adults acted like it was any other day at the beach with the water shenanigans and flashlights. The few grunion that did show didn't stand a chance. Those beach rascals pounced on those poor grunions like apocalyptic locusts on the last stalk of corn! Yet and still, because we were prepared and brought comfortable seating and snacks with the awesome weather, we enjoyed the beautiful evening and laughed and cursed the spectacle that was before us. I highly recommend for the fun and laughs, but if you go, be prepared with supplies (especially if you have kids and a large group, after all it IS the beach), and don't be surprised if you don't see many grunion especially if the spectators are misbehaving. Kudos to the Cabrillo Beach Aquarium for attempting to conduct the grunion event (NOT an easy job!) OH! Please note that Cabrillo Beach is one of the top DIRTIEST beaches in California, and the restrooms are simply FOUL. Maybe that is why nighttime was okay for us. To wrap up...GET PARKING AN HOUR OR TWO BEFORE THE EVENT, BRING YOUR CREATURE COMFORTS AND SEATING AND BE PREPARED TO A COUPLE OF HOURS TO VIEW THE GRUNIONS, GET A FISHING LICENSE IF YOU ARE OVER 16 TO EVEN TOUCH THE FISH OR TAKE HOME WHAT YOU NEED (IF YOU CAN), AND BE IN A GOOD MOOD SO OTHERS HAVE NO CHANCE OF SPOILING IT. read more

Went here for the grunion run on 3/29/17. Only saw 2 fish on shore. Waited till 12am when the beach close read more

We went for the June 25th event. The museum and Interactive Nursery with baby jellyfish and baby grunions was great the movie was informative and the staff was great. Just disappointed that the Grunion forgot to arrive. Granted you cannot compel a wild animal to show up on schedule so I won't take major points away for that but it was a bummer. In spite of the Grunion failing to show it was a great experience for the kitties to go through the museum and the displays of marine life. Also the excitement of hatching Grunion eggs in a jar compensated for the failure of the grunions appear on the beach. read more