Grunion Run Schedule 2026

What is a Grunion Run?

So you want to go on a grunion run. There are a few things you must know before you go. First, do you know what grunion are? For those not familiar, Grunion are a species of fish that leave the water at night to spawn on beaches during the spring and summer months throughout Southern California (San Diego to San Luis Obispo County). For more specifics see our list of the best grunion run beaches in California.

Over three to four consecutive nights, beginning on the nights of the full moons and new moons, spawning occurs after high tides and continues for several hours. Peak spawning is from late March to early June.

>> See Related: Grunion Run – What You Need To Know

During the open season (March, July, August & sometimes early September), a California state fishing license is required for people older than 15. Grunion may be taken by hand only. No holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. There is a limit this year of 30 per day, but take only the fish you can use. Here are some suggestions for how to cook grunion.

The times below are merely guidelines offering a two-hour span in which spawning runs may occur at Cabrillo Beach in Los Angeles County. Subtract five minutes for San Diego beaches, and add 25 minutes to calculate the time for Santa Barbara beaches.

The best grunion runs normally occur on the second and third nights of the four-night period. The second hour is usually better than the first hour. Find your beach!

2026 Grunion Run Schedule

MARCH

  • 3/3 Tue  9:35 pm – 11:35 pm
  • 3/4 Wed  10:00 pm – 12:00 am
  • 3/5 Thu  10:25 pm – 12:25 am
  • 3/6 Fri  10:50 am – 12:50 am
  • 3/18 Wed 10:00 pm – 12:00 am
  • 3/19 Thu  10:25 pm – 12:25 am
  • 3/20 Fri  10:55 pm – 12:55 am
  • 3/21 Sat  11:30 pm – 1:30 am

APRIL (observation only)

  • 4/1 Wed  9:50 pm – 11:50 pm
  • 4/2 Thu  10:10 pm – 12:10 am
  • 4/3 Fri  10:35 pm – 12:35 am
  • 4/4 Sat  10:55 pm – 12:55 am
  • 4/17 Fri  9:45 pm – 11:45 pm
  • 4/18 Sat  10:20 pm – 12:20 am
  • 4/19 Sun  11:00 pm – 1:00 am
  • 4/20 Mon  11:50 pm – 1:50 am

MAY (observation only)

  • 5/1 Fri  9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
  • 5/2 Sat  9:55 pm – 11:55 pm
  • 5/3 Sun  10:20 pm – 12:20 am
  • 5/4 Mon  10:50 pm – 12:50 am
  • 5/16 Sat  9:20 pm – 11:20 pm
  • 5/17 Sun  10:00 pm – 12:00 am
  • 5/18 Mon  10:50 pm – 12:50 am
  • 5/19 Tue  11:40 pm – 1:40 am
  • 5/31 Sun  9:30 pm – 11:30 pm

JUNE (observation only)

  • 6/1 Mon  10:05 pm – 12:05 am
  • 6/2 Tue  10:30 pm – 12:30 am
  • 6/3 Wed  11:15 pm – 1:15 am
  • 6/14 Sun  9:05 pm – 11:05 pm
  • 6/15 Mon  9:50 pm – 11:50 pm
  • 6/16 Tue  10:40 pm – 12:40 am
  • 6/17 Wed  11:35 pm – 1:35 am
  • 6/29 Mon  9:20 pm – 11:20 pm
  • 6/30 Tue  9:55 pm – 11:55 pm

JULY

  • 7/1 Wed  10:30 pm – 12:30 am
  • 7/2 Thu  11:00 pm – 1:00 am
  • 7/14 Tue  9:45 pm – 11:45 pm
  • 7/15 Wed  10:35 pm – 12:35 am
  • 7/16 Thu  11:20 pm – 1:20 am
  • 7/17 Fri  12:10 am – 2:10 am*
  • 7/29 Wed  9:45 pm – 11:45 pm
  • 7/30 Thu  10:15 pm – 12:15 am
  • 7/31 Fri  10:50 pm – 12:50 am

AUGUST

  • 8/1 Sat  11:25 pm – 1:25 am
  • 8/12 Wed  9:40 pm – 11:40 pm
  • 8/13 Thu  10:20 pm – 12:20 am
  • 8/14 Fri  11:05 pm – 1:05 am
  • 8/15 Sat  11:50 pm – 1:50 am
  • 8/28 Fri  10:00 pm – 12:00 am
  • 8/29 Sat  10:35 pm – 12:35 am
  • 8/30 Sun  11:20 pm – 1:20 am

* Where the run starts after midnight, the date of the previous evening is shown.