Looking for a little coastal magic? Catch one of SoCal’s wildest wonders this weekend as thousands of grunion shimmy onto the shore by moonlight. It’s nature’s most enchanting beach party—and you’re invited.

Don’t miss one of Southern California’s most magical summer spectacles before the season ends.

Grunion are back—and for just a few more nights, you’ll have a rare chance to witness these silvery fish perform their moonlit dance on the shores of SoCal.

From Thursday night through the weekend, thousands of grunion will be making one of the best “runs” of the summer, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). These fascinating fish are found only along the California coast and are famous for their unusual spawning ritual: they ride the high tide onto sandy beaches to lay their eggs right in the sand.

Though small in size—just 6 to 8 inches long—grunion deliver a dazzling display. As waves retreat under the light of a full or new moon, female grunion wriggle onto shore to deposit up to 3,000 eggs per run. Males follow moments later to fertilize the eggs, then both catch a wave back out to sea. This otherworldly event is known as a grunion run.

During a peak run, the beach appears to shimmer and ripple with thousands of fish flipping in the moonlight—a sight you’ll never forget.

Where to Catch the Magic

Grunion spawning season stretches from spring through summer, and these upcoming dates are some of the last opportunities to see a run this year. Top beaches to witness the phenomenon include:

Surfer’s Knoll (Ventura County)
Malibu Cove, Santa Monica, Redondo, Torrance, San Pedro, Cabrillo Beach (Los Angeles County)
Seal Beach, Huntington State Beach, Newport Beach, Capistrano/Doheny Beach (Orange County)
Carlsbad, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, San Elijo, Coronado Ferry Landing (San Diego County)

Best Upcoming Grunion Run Dates & Times

Grunion runs last for about two hours. These are the expected windows (remember: the second hour is usually better):

July

July 10 — 9:25 to 11:25 p.m.
July 11 — 10:05 p.m. to 12:05 a.m.
July 12 — 10:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.
July 13 — 11:25 p.m. to 1:25 a.m.
July 24 — 9:35 to 11:35 p.m.
July 25 — 10:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
July 26 — 10:55 p.m. to 12:55 a.m.
July 27 — 11:35 p.m. to 1:35 a.m.

August

Aug. 9 — 9:55 to 11:55 p.m.
Aug. 10 — 10:35 p.m. to 12:35 a.m.
Aug. 11 — 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
Aug. 12 — 12:05 to 2:05 a.m.
Aug. 23 — 10:00 p.m. to midnight
Aug. 24 — 10:35 p.m. to 12:35 a.m.
Aug. 25 — 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
Aug. 26 — 11:50 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.

Want to Participate?

It’s currently open season for grunion, meaning those 16 and older can legally collect them—with a valid California fishing license. The rules are strict: grunion must be caught by hand only (no digging or traps), and the limit is 30 per person per day.

Know Before You Go

CDFW advises caution when selecting a viewing beach:

“While grunion spawn on many Southern California beaches, we don’t recommend a specific one due to changing safety conditions and local curfews,” the agency stated.

For up-to-date info, call local beach lifeguards, who often know whether grunion have recently run.

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