What is a Grunion?
Lets start with, "what is a Grunion"? The folks at Pepperdine University describe them as "a species of marine fish found only along the coast of southern California and northern Baja California. They are justifiably famous for their unique spawning behavior. Grunion spawn completely out of the water and lay their eggs on many sandy beaches in California. Shortly after high tide, on specific nights, sections of these beaches sometimes are covered with thousands of grunion dancing about on the sand. The popularity of these grunion runs means that some nights there are more people lining the beaches than grunion in the run."
What Do I need?
Grab a chair, blanket, bucket for the kids, water shoes and flashlight. You may have to wait and these guys only spawn at night so it may be chilly. This wait will be worth it because It can be a spectacular view as the number of Grunion can hit up to the thousands on any particular night.
Can we catch the Grunion?
Keep in mind that the California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region, because of the vulnerability of the Grunion, they are protected by a "closed" season in the April and May months. A "catch and release" policy would be ok.
Do I need a fishing license?
For the kids, No!
Anyone sixteen years old and older needs a valid California sport fishing license (including the ocean enhancement stamp) to catch grunion.
You do not need a license to observe a run, but if any one older than 16, plan to interact with the fish in any way, even if you do not plan to keep any fish, you will need a license.
Where do I go to watch?
Its always a good Idea to go to a beach that has a larger stretch of beach because these guys come up at high tide.
Below are a list of beaches to go to check it out.
Ocean Beach
1950 Abott St
San Diego, CA 92107
South Mission Beach
N Jetty Rd,
San Diego, CA 92109
Mission Beach
3000 Mission Blvd,
San Diego, CA 92109
Pacific Beach
4500 Ocean Blvd
San Diego, Ca 92109
La Jolla Shores
8300 Camino Del Oro,
La Jolla, CA 92037
When Should I Go?
MARCH
- 6 We 9:40 p.m. – 11:40 p.m.
- 7 Th 10:00 p.m. – Midnight
- 8 Fr 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
- 9 Sa 10:55 p.m. – 12:55 a.m.
- 21 Th 10:45 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.
- 22 Fr 11:20 p.m. – 1:20 a.m.
- 23 Sa 11:55 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
- 24 Su 12:40 p.m. – 2:40 a.m.*
APRIL (observation only)
- 5 Fr 10:20 p.m. – 12:20 a.m.
- 6 Sa 10:40 p.m. – 12:40 a.m.
- 7 Su 11:10 p.m. – 1:10 a.m.
- 8 Mo 11:40 p.m. – 1:40 a.m.
- 19 Fr 10:10 p.m. – 12:10 a.m.
- 20 Sa 10:40 p.m. – 12:40 a.m.
- 21 Su 11:15 p.m. – 1:15 a.m.
- 22 Mo 11:50 p.m. – 1:50 a.m.
MAY (observation only)
- 4 Sa 9:40 p.m. – 11:40 p.m.
- 5 Su 10:10 p.m. – 12:10 a.m.
- 6 Mo 10:40 p.m. – 12:40 a.m.
- 7 Tu 11:15 p.m. – 1:15 a.m.
- 18 Sa 9:35 p.m. – 11:35 p.m.
- 19 Su 10:10 p.m. – 12:10 a.m.
- 20 Mo 10:45 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.
- 21 Tu 11:20 p.m. – 1:20 a.m.
JUNE
- 3 Mo 9:45 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.
- 4 Tu 10:20 p.m. – 12:20 a.m.
- 5 We 11:05 p.m. – 1:05 a.m.
- 6 Th 11:55 p.m. – 1:55 a.m.
- 17 Mo 9:50 p.m. – 11:50 p.m.
- 18 Tu 10:20 p.m. – 12:20 a.m.
- 19 We 11:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
- 20 Th 11:35 p.m. – 1:35 a.m.
JULY
- 2 Tu 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- 3 We 10:15 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.
- 4 Th 11:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
- 5 Fr 11:50 p.m. – 1:50 a.m.
- 16 Tu 9:35 p.m. – 11:35 p.m.
- 17 We 10:10 p.m. – 12:10 a.m.
- 18 Th 10:40 p.m. – 12:40 a.m.
- 19 Fr 11:15 p.m. – 1:15 a.m.
AUGUST
- 1 Th 10:05 p.m. – 12:05 a.m.
- 2 Fr 10:50 p.m. – 12:50 a.m.
- 3 Sa 11:45 p.m. – 1:45 a.m.
- 4 Su 12:40 a.m. – 2:40 a.m.*
- 15 Th 9:55 p.m. – 11:55 p.m.
- 16 Fr 10:25 p.m. – 12:25 a.m.
- 17 Sa 10:55 p.m. – 12:55 a.m.
- 30 Fr 9:55 p.m. – 11:55 p.m.
- 31 Sa 10:45 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.
SEPTEMBER
- 1 Su 11:35 p.m. – 1:35 a.m.
Can I eat the grunion?
You can eat Grunion!
Fried Grunion Recipe
Slit the grunion down the side and remove the guts
remove the head if you like
Dust the Grunion in flower
Beat an egg then dip the grunion in the egg
Dust in Grunion corn meal and fry until crisp.
Pair with an arugula salad with diced avocado and cherry tomatoes.
Enjoy!
Whatever you choose to do with this Grunion Run, make sure to have fun and enjoy making memories with your family!
