Cabrillo Beach Activities

Los Angeles County

Cabrillo Beach, Los Angeles County, California
Cabrillo Beach, Los Angeles County, California

Cabrillo Beach Activities

Los Angeles County


Windsurfing and Kitesurfing at Cabrillo Beach

Consistent winds and the opportunity to windsurf in the relatively calm water behind the breakwater or the more boisterous seas on the ocean side make Cabrillo Beach a leading area for windsurfing. Winds are usually up to around 20 MPH by the afternoon, especially during the peak months from mid-spring through fall.

Windsurfer at Cabrillo Beach fishing pier, Los Angeles, CA

Those launching on the inside of the breakwater usually set up along the strand of beach that parallels the parking lot nearest to the fishing pier. Beginners like to get out in late morning when the winds are mild. More advanced windsurfers head out from the ocean side of the beach. Look for a flagged launch area near the lifeguard headquarters. Known locally as Hurricane Gulch, the ocean out from Cabrillo Beach attracts some of the top windsurfers in the area. Winds can be changeable close to shore, but once well out on the ocean windsurfers experience a strong, steady blow that sends them bouncing across the waves.

Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.


Kitesurfing

Because of strong winds, crowds, and the danger of rocks, Cabrillo Beach is considered best for advanced kitesurfers. Kitesurfers (also known as Kiteboarders) are restricted from launching from Cabrillo Beach on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. On days when it is permitted to launch there, kitesurfers should launch and remain downwind of windsurfers until 300 yards out from the shore.

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing Rentals and Lessons

Captain Kirk's
525 North Harbor Boulevard, San Pedro, CA
Captain Kirk's
Stand-up paddleboards, windsurfing, kiteboarding
Sales, lessons, and rentals

Xstreamline
1861 N. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA
Xstreamline
Sales for Windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddling
Summer rentals at Cabrillo Beach or by arrangement from their store.
SUP and kayak lessons at Cabrillo Beach

Surfing Cabrillo Beach

The point break near Cabrillo Beach, known as Spunkies, can draw a good number of surfers on weekends, especially with swells rolling in from the southwest to northwest. Rocks are an obvious danger here.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Located next to Cabrillo Beach, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a leader in marine science education, aquaculture research, and community recreation. The aquarium displays a vast array of Southern California marine life, with exhibits and information about kelp forests, rocky shores, mudflats, the open ocean, and sandy beaches. Other popular sections in the Aquarium are its Aquatic Nursery and its Exploration Center.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, Los Angeles County, CA

Aquarium Hours:
Wednesday through Sunday - 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
Suggested Donations: adults $7, children and seniors $3
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier

The Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier stretches 1,200 feet in the harbor, just inside the breakwater. Anglers here are careful to limit eating their catches to a single meal every couple of weeks. White croakers should not be eaten at all. The concern is over concentrations of DDT and PCBs.

Cabrillo Beach fishing pier, Los Angeles, CA

Pier hours are the same as for the beach, from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Portable restrooms are nearby. Although there are no lights, fishermen will find cleaning stations and a number of benches. Visitors will enjoy a large covered seating area.

Kayaking along the Coast

A popular kayaking route is from Cabrillo Beach northwest along the coast to Royal Palms Beach. The 2.7 mile journey is easily complete in two hours under good conditions. Along the way kayakers pass the Point Fermin Lighthouse, tide pools, and dense kelp beds. The best time of year is usually summer or fall.

Kayak Rentals and Lessons

Xstreamline
1861 N. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA
Xstreamline
Summer kayak rentals at Cabrillo Beach or by arrangement from their store.
SUP and kayak lessons at Cabrillo Beach

Diving at Cabrillo Beach

Cabrillo Beach is a good beginner dive location. Parking is convenient for unloading gear and entry is usually easy off the sandy outer beach. Waves are usually mild. The ocean floor slopes away gradually, only reaching about 25 feet well out from shore. The Cabrillo Beach area is well known for its sand dollar bed a short distance off shore. Divers are asked not to disturb the living colonies.

Local Dive Shops

Pacific Wilderness
1719 South Pacific Avenue
San Pedro, CA
Pacific Wilderness
Sales, classes, rentals, repairs, dive club


Cabrillo Beach map, Los Angeles County, California





Cabrillo Coastal Park

The Cabrillo Coastal Park is an extension of the aquarium, providing guests with access to a nearby salt marsh, cliffs with fossils, and tide pools at Point Fermin State Marine Park. The paths to these features are wheelchair accessible. The Marine Park extends from Cabrillo Beach to the foot of Point Fermin. Visitors to the tide pools there will likely see hermit crabs, limpets, sea urchins, mussels, barnacles, and sea anemones. Along the cliffs look for fossils of whales and fish. All the natural features are protected and should not be disturbed.

At the foot of the cliffs is a military bunker constructed in 1916 for coastal defense. Some of the walls of the bunker may be unstable. Guided weekend tours of the tide pools are offered by the aquarium on some weekends.
Cabrillo Coastal Park

Cabrillo Beach Grunion Run

Cabrillo Beach is famous for its annual Grunion Run, an invasion of small, sardine-size fish that come ashore on the sandy beach during the night to lay their eggs. This usually takes place during spring and early summer after a full moon and high tide. Grunion may be taken by sportfishermen only by hand. No holes may be dug to trap them. Anyone 16 and older must have a fishing license.

The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium usually offers Grunion Run related activities during the season:
Cabrill0 Marine Aquarium: Meet the Grunion
Also see California Department of Fish and Game - Grunion Run Expected Dates

Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse

The Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse was built in 1932 and used for the Olympic Games. The bathhouse provided services to beach visitors. It was used at a marine museum for many years before renovations in 2002. Today the historic building is used by the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department as a base for watersports and family programs. Attached to the bathhouse are restrooms and showers.

Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse, Los Angeles, CA

Activities vary during the seasons. Check their current list of activities: Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse
Hours: weekdays 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed on Sundays and holidays.
(310) 548-7554

Nearby Activities, Attractions, and Events

Fort MacArthur

Guns at Fort MacArthur once guarded the entrance to Los Angeles Harbor
3601 S. Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA
Museum hours 12 PM to 5 PM, Tuesdays, Thursdays, weekends and holidays.
Fort MacArthur Museum

Bogdanovich Recreation Center

1920 Cumbrie Dr., San Pedro
20-acre park with panoramic views
Picnic area, lighted playground, jogging and hiking trails
Restrooms and community building
Bogdanovich Park and Recreation Center

Korean Bell of Friendship

Angels Gate Park
3601 S. Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA
Bell donated by the Republic of Korea in 1976 to celebrate the US bicentennial, honor Korean War veterans, and consolidate friendship between the two countries.
The bell is open again for viewing after restoration work in 2013.
Korean Bell of Friendship

Marine Mammal Care Center

3601 S. Gaffey St. (at Fort MacArthur)
San Pedro, CA
Care for sick and injured marine mammals.
Open to the public Saturdays and Sundays free (donations of $5 per person accepted), 10 AM - 4 PM
Educational information and gift shop
Marine Mammal Care Center


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Ocean Safety

California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety