Cabrillo Beach
Situated in San Pedro at the entrance Los Angeles Harbor, Cabrillo Beach is really two beaches, one inside the harbor breakwater and the other, only yard away, on the outside of the breakwater facing the ocean. The inner beach and adjoining facilities are operated by the City of Los Angeles while the outer beach is maintained by the county.
The sheltered inner beach is most popular for swimming, wading, and sunbathing, while the exposed outer beach attracts more surfers.
Attractions such as the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Cabrillo Coastal Trail, the fishing pier, and the small boat launch ramp help make Cabrillo Beach a very popular destination.
Facilities at Cabrillo Beach
Cabrillo Beach has a picnic area between the main parking lot and the inner beach. Picnic tables are available there. Within eyesight of the picnic area is a children's playground with swings and slides. Restrooms are found at convenient locations all around the beach areas. They have outside showers for washing off sand. An array of tall metal poles interconnected at the tops with a grid of wires was installed to keep away seagulls. Please note that no fires are permitted on the beach.
Cabrillo Beach's Inner Beach
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.
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. More on the ACTIVITIES page. . .
Boat Launch Ramp
The boat launch ramp is located at the north end of the main parking lot. It is best accessed off Shoshonean Road. The ramp hours are the same for the parking lot and beach, 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Parking is $2 per hour, up to a maximum of $15 per day. There are no additional fees for using the ramp. Boaters wishing to head out overnight can leave their trailer attached to their vehicle overnight in the parking lot for up to several days ($15 per day, cash).
Cabrillo Beach's Outer Beach
Statues at Cabrillo Beach
A statue of Senator Stephen M. White, who helped lead the campaign to create Los Angeles Harbor, was moved to the entrance of Cabrillo Beach in 1989. The sculpture was created by Douglas Tilden in 1908 and first stood in front of the old County Courthouse before being moved to the beach.
A concrete statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, famous Portuguese explorer, was created by sculptor Henry Lion and dedicated in 1936. Cabrillo explored the California coast in 1542.
Los Angeles City Lifeguard Service
The Los Angeles City Lifeguard Service uses Cabrillo Beach as one of its main open water training facilities for
its Lifeguard Academy. Classroom sessions are held in the Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse.
Los Angeles City Lifeguard Association
