Torrey Pines State Beach
Del Mar / La Jolla
Wide, flat, dark and sandy — the classic combination. Parking access at night is the main constraint.
Local tip: Scout the beach in daylight first so you know where the wide flat section is.
Grunion Runs in San Diego
Thousands of silver fish spawning on the sand at midnight — one of the strangest things the Pacific does.
Last updated
Quick answer
California grunion are small silver fish that spawn on sandy beaches at night on the two to six nights following a full or new moon, during the highest tides. Runs happen from roughly March through August, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife closes the season entirely in April and May to protect spawning — during the closure you may watch but not touch. Outside the closure, anyone 16 and older needs a valid California fishing license, and the law allows catching them with bare hands only: no nets, no buckets dug into the sand, no holes. Runs typically begin an hour or two after high tide and build over about an hour. CDFW publishes predicted run schedules each season — arrive early, bring a red light, and be prepared for nothing to happen.
The rules and the timing
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season | Roughly March through August |
| Closed season | April and May — observation only, no taking |
| Timing | Nights following a full or new moon, after high tide |
| License | Required for anyone 16+ outside the closure |
| Method | Bare hands only — no nets, gear or holes in the sand |
| Duration | Runs typically build over about an hour, often after midnight |
Best San Diego beaches for grunion
Grunion need wide, gently sloping sandy beaches. Rocky or steep shorelines don't work.
La Jolla Shores
La Jolla
One of the most reliably reported run beaches in the county, with a broad sandy slope and easy access. Also the most crowded on a predicted run night.
Mission Beach and Pacific Beach
Mission Bay peninsula
Long uninterrupted sand and easy parking off Mission Boulevard. Ambient light from the boardwalk is the tradeoff.
Coronado
Coronado
Very wide, very flat, and dark toward the south end. Excellent grunion habitat.
Del Mar and Solana Beach
North County
Good sandy stretches with less crowding than La Jolla on a predicted run night.
Silver Strand State Beach
Coronado / Imperial Beach
A long protected sandy shoreline that has historically hosted strong runs.
Local tip: State beach lots close at night; confirm access hours or park where legal outside the gate.
How to actually watch one
Get the predicted schedule
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes expected run windows for each season by date and time. Treat them as forecasts, not guarantees — the fish don't read the calendar.
Arrive before the window opens
Runs usually start after high tide and build over roughly an hour. The first fish to arrive are scouts; the main run comes later.
Use a red flashlight
Bright white light disrupts the run and everyone's night vision. Red light lets you see without scattering the fish.
Local tip: Sit still on the wet sand and wait. Walking the waterline with a flashlight is the surest way to see nothing.
Expect to strike out
Even on a well-predicted night, runs frequently fail to materialize at a given beach. Locals go multiple nights per season to see one good run.
Dress for cold and wet
It's the middle of the night on a Pacific beach. Even in July it's cold, and you'll be sitting on damp sand for an hour.
The rules, in detail
Bare hands only
California law prohibits using any gear — nets, buckets set in the sand, traps or tools — to take grunion. Hands only, and you can't dig holes or build barriers to trap them.
April and May closure
Taking grunion is prohibited entirely during April and May. You may still go and watch, which is what most people should be doing anyway.
Fishing license
Anyone 16 or older needs a valid California sport fishing license to take grunion outside the closed season, even taking them by hand from the beach.
Take only what you'll eat
There's no formal bag limit in some seasons, but CDFW asks for restraint. The population depends entirely on successful beach spawning.
Don't disturb the eggs
Eggs incubate buried in the sand for about two weeks until the next high tides release them. Driving, digging or raking the beach destroys them.
Verify current regulations
- • Season dates, closures and license requirements are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and can change. Check CDFW before you go.
- • Beach and parking lot night access rules differ by city and by state park.
- • Predicted runs are estimates. Many predicted nights produce nothing.
Frequently asked
When do grunion run in San Diego?
Roughly March through August, on the two to six nights following a full or new moon, beginning after the night's high tide. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes predicted run windows each season.
Do you need a license to catch grunion?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a valid California sport fishing license to take grunion outside the closed season — even catching them by hand.
Why are grunion closed in April and May?
California closes the take of grunion during April and May to protect the peak of the spawning season. You can still go to the beach and watch during those months; you just can't take any.
Can you use a net to catch grunion?
No. California law allows grunion to be taken by hand only. Nets, traps, buckets set into the sand, and digging holes or building barriers are all prohibited.
What's the best beach for grunion in San Diego?
Wide, flat, sandy beaches: La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines State Beach, Coronado, Silver Strand and the Mission Beach–Pacific Beach stretch are all regularly reported run beaches.
What time do grunion runs happen?
Usually starting an hour or two after the night's high tide and building over about an hour, which often puts the peak well after midnight. Arrive before the predicted window opens.
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