Free aquarium at Cabrillo Beach devoted to So Cal sea life, with touch tanks, a renovated main exhibit hall and grunion programs in spring and summer.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a FREE, family-friendly aquarium at Cabrillo Beach that focuses on the sea life of Southern California. Its main exhibit hall reopened on April 18, 2026, after a renovation of about $8 million, in time for the aquarium’s 90th anniversary.
Visiting the aquarium
- Open: Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Mondays, and on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Cost: Free. The suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.
- Parking: In the Cabrillo Beach lot, $3 an hour for cars ($9 max, card only). Aquarium members park free so consider joining.
- Gift shop: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5:30 pm.
What you’ll see
Tanks show the animals of local habitats, from rocky shores and kelp forests to sandy beaches and the open ocean: sharks, rays, eels, octopuses, sea stars and many more. In the touch-tank area, staff help visitors handle tide-pool animals gently. The aquarium also runs classes, whale-watch and tide-pool programs, and summer grunion programs, when the small silver fish come ashore at night to spawn on Cabrillo Beach.
History
The aquarium grew from a lifeguard’s shell collection displayed at the Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse in the 1930s. Today the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks runs it as an education and research center, and admission has always stayed free.
Nearby
Cabrillo Beach, the fishing pier and the historic bathhouse are steps away. Point Fermin Lighthouse is a short drive up the hill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabrillo Marine Aquarium free?
Yes. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. You pay only for parking unless you’re a member and then parking is free.
Is the main exhibit hall open?
Yes. It reopened on April 18, 2026, after a renovation that closed it from October 2024.
What are the aquarium’s hours?
Tuesday to Friday noon to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. It is closed Mondays and on a few holidays.
Where do you park?
In the Cabrillo Beach parking lot, at $3 an hour for cars with a $9 max, paid by credit or debit card.