It’s the most wonderful time of the year for nature activities by the beach! It’s bioluminescence season, it’s a great time to swim with the leopard sharks in La Jolla, and it’s a the best season to spot a grunion run as well!
What’s a grunion run?
A grunion run is a unique Southern California phenomenon where thousands of small, silvery fish (California grunion) swim onto expansive sandy beaches at night to spawn. This remarkable event happens predictably after the highest high tides associated with full and new moons.
If you’re planning to witness or catch grunion this year, here’s everything you need to know about the areas in and around San Diego.
Prime locations for a grunion run
- La Jolla Shores: This is a premier, well-known spot for marine life. Important note: taking grunion is not permitted at this location, making it strictly an observation-only zone.
- Ocean Beach: OB provides excellent wide, flat shorelines, which the fish prefer. Try the darker, wider expanse of Dog Beach, as grunion are most likely to run in quiet areas away from crowds, flashing lights, and noise.
- Other great spots include: Silver Strand, Coronado, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and Del Mar.
When to go
Bad news for early bed times: grunion runs occur predictably late at night on the 4 nights following the highest tides associated with full and new moons. Runs usually happen within a 2-hour window after the high tide begins to fall, with the second hour often being the most active. Try catching them after 9:30 PM.
Don’t forget about the rules!
If you’re taking the kids, make sure you remind them this is a great opportunity to observe and respect wildlife. Keep lights and noise low. Keep your distance, don’t touch or hurt the fish, and enjoy one of nature’s greatest shows – right on our doorstep!
