Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro is one of LA's best-kept family secrets. This small, community-focused aquarium offers free admission, hands-on marine biology education, and access to some of the best tide pools in Southern California. It does not try to compete with the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach -- instead, it provides an intimate, educational experience that many local families prefer.

The aquarium building, designed by a young Frank Gehry in 1981, houses exhibits focused on the marine ecosystems of Southern California. Touch tanks are the highlight for kids -- volunteers guide children through gentle handling of sea urchins, sea stars, hermit crabs, and sea cucumbers while explaining the biology behind what they are touching. The jellyfish display and local fish tanks provide context for the marine life kids will see in the tide pools outside.

The guided tide pool program is what makes Cabrillo special. During low tides, naturalists lead families across the rocky intertidal zone at Cabrillo Beach, pointing out creatures hiding in pools and under rocks. Kids discover anemones that close when touched, crabs scuttling between rocks, and colorful nudibranchs clinging to kelp.

This hands-on, outdoor marine biology class is more engaging than any museum exhibit. Timing matters -- check the NOAA tide charts for San Pedro and plan visits around low tides, ideally negative tides that expose the most habitat.

The seasonal grunion run program (typically March through June) is truly unique. California grunion are small fish that ride waves onto sandy beaches on specific nights to lay eggs. The aquarium hosts evening programs where families gather on the beach after dark to witness thousands of fish washing ashore in waves.

Children stand ankle-deep in surf watching this ancient spawning ritual by flashlight. The program sells out extremely quickly when registration opens.

Cabrillo Beach itself flanks the aquarium and offers calm, protected swimming on the harbor side and moderate surf on the ocean side. Families easily combine the aquarium visit with beach time for a free half-day outing. Picnic tables and restrooms are available. The only downside is the lack of food options -- pack everything you will need.