Two beaches in one: calm harbor water for families on the inner side, ocean surf for swimming, surfing and windsurfing outside the breakwater.
Cabrillo Beach is San Pedro’s main sandy beach and really two beaches in one. The inner beach, inside the breakwater, has calm, shallow water that’s good for small children, swimming, paddleboarding and windsurfing lessons. The outer beach faces the open ocean and gets waves for surfing and bodyboarding.
Visiting the beach
- Parking: The beach lot charges $1 an hour for cars, paid by credit or debit card. Boats and oversized vehicles pay $2 an hour.
- Lifeguards: Los Angeles City and County lifeguards cover the beach.
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic areas, a playground and a snack bar at the historic bathhouse.
- Boat launch: A public launch ramp is next to the inner harbor, off Shoshonean Road.
Things to do
Fishing pier. The Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier runs about 1,200 feet along the inside of the breakwater. It’s a good place to fish (no license needed on a public pier), watch boats come through Angels Gate, and look out at the Angels Gate Lighthouse.
Grunion runs. From spring into summer, on certain nights after a full or new moon, grunion come ashore to spawn on the sand. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium runs evening programs during the season.
Tide pools and wildlife. Rocky areas near the point have tide pools at low tide, and the nearby Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is free.
The bathhouse
The Spanish Colonial Revival bathhouse opened in 1932. It was named a Los Angeles historic landmark in 1989 and restored in 2002, and still houses showers, restrooms, lifeguard facilities and a snack bar. Across the lot, the Cabrillo Beach Youth Waterfront Sports Center has taught young people water safety and ocean sports since 1946.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabrillo Beach good for kids?
Yes. The inner beach, inside the breakwater, has calm and shallow water, and there is a playground and picnic area nearby.
How much is parking at Cabrillo Beach?
Cars pay $1 an hour by credit or debit card. Boats and oversized vehicles pay $2 an hour.
Can you surf at Cabrillo Beach?
Yes, on the outer beach, outside the breakwater, which gets ocean waves.
Do you need a fishing license on the Cabrillo Beach pier?
No. California doesn’t require a license to fish from a public pier, though catch limits still apply.
