2018 Hermosa Beach Grunion Run

Check out the 2018 Hermosa Beach Grunion Run Schedule!

For those not familiar, Grunion is a species of fish that flops onto the beaches throughout Southern California each year in a primitive ritual of spawning. South Bay residents and visitors are fortunate, as one of the main landing spots for the grunion is near 33rd Street in Hermosa Beach! If you want to try your hand at catching the squirming fishies, please note that a fishing license is REQUIRED for those over 16 – the Department of Fish & Game does show up and bust unlicensed fish wranglers on occasion.

One of the best tactics of spotting exactly where the grunion are beaching themselves is to look for gatherings of seabirds. The times offered 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, and add 25 minutes to find the time for Santa Barbara.

The 2nd and 3rd days of the 4-day run have the most action with the second hour usually better, and you have to use your hands to catch ’em, which makes it much more sporting. In case you’re wondering what the appeal of all this is- a) grunion taste pretty delicious, and b) showing up at the beach late at night to catch wild animals should be attempted at least once!

2018 Grunion Season in Hermosa Beach

MARCH

1
2
3
4
17
18
19
20
31
Th 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Fr 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Sa 10:35 p.m. – 12:35 a.m.
Su 11:15 p.m. – 1:15 a.m.
Sa 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Su 11:05 p.m. – 1:05 a.m.
Mo 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Tu 12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.*
Sa 10:05 p.m. – 12:05 a.m.

 

APRIL – CLOSED (OBSERVATION ONLY)

1
2
3
16
17
18
19
29
30
Su 10:25 p.m. – 12:25 a.m.
Mo 10:50 p.m. – 12:50 a.m.
Tu 11:25 a.m. – 1:25 a.m.
Mo 10:20 a.m. – 12:20 a.m.
Tu 10:55 p.m. – 12:55 a.m.
We 11:20 p.m. – 1:20 a.m.
Th 12:20 a.m. – 2:20 a.m.*
Su 9:45 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.
Mo 10:15 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.

 

MAY – CLOSED (OBSERVATION ONLY)

1
2
15
16
17
18
29
30
31
Tu 10:45 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.
We 11:10 p.m. – 1:10 a.m.
Tu 9:50 p.m. – 11:50 p.m.
We 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Th 11:15 p.m. – 1:15 a.m.
Fr 12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.*
Tu 9:15 p.m. – 11:15 p.m.
We 10:10 p.m. – 12:10 a.m.
Th 10:45 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.

 

JUNE

1
13
14
15
16
28
29
30
Fr 11:15 p.m. – 1:15 a.m.
We 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Th 10:15 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.
Fr 11:05 p.m. – 1:05 a.m.
Sa 11:55 p.m. – 1:55 a.m.
Th 9:55 p.m. – 11:55 p.m.
Fr 10:25 p.m. – 12:25 a.m.
Sa 10:55 p.m. – 12:55 a.m.

 

JULY

1
12
13
14
15
27
28
29
30
Su 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Th 9:20 p.m. – 11:20 p.m.
Fr 10:05 p.m. – 1:05 a.m.
Sa 10:50 p.m. – 12:50 a.m.
Su 11:40 p.m. – 1:40 a.m.
Fr 9:40 p.m. – 11:40 p.m
Sa 10:10 p.m. – 12:10 a.m.
Su 10:45 a.m. – 12:45 a.m.
Mo 11:45 p.m. – 1:45 a.m.

 

AUGUST

11
12
13
14
26
27
28
Sa 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Su 10:45 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.
Mo 11:35 p.m. – 1:35 a.m.
Tu 12:30 a.m. – 2:30 a.m.*
Su 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Mo 10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Tu 11:05 p.m. – 1:05 a.m.

 

* Where the time relating to the expected run is after midnight, the date of the previous evening is shown.

Note: The Grunion Run Season in California officialy opens in March. However, the collection of spawning Grunion is prohibited in April and May!

 

If you do decide to turn your caught fish into dinner, here’s a simple Grunion Recipe:

 

Grunion & String Beans

INGREDIENTS:

1 large foil roasting bag
5-6 fresh whole grunion fish (if frozen, defrost thoroughly in fridge before using – ensure there are no ice crystals in the inner cavity)
2 cups string beans, quartered
1 cup salted butter, softened
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. fresh chervil, chopped
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1 tsp. turmeric
chervil sprigs to garnish

METHOD:
Preheat oven to 375 F (175 C). Grease inside of roasting bag and put it on a heatproof cookie sheet.

Using a food processor, blend butter, cilantro, parsley, garlic, chervil, shallot, black pepper and turmeric for about 3 minutes using the pulse button. Do not over do. The butter should be speckled with the herbs.

Spoon the butter onto a plate and allow to set. Cut butter into 1/4 inch chunks. Set aside.

Wash grunion fish with water. Place fish inside the roasting bag and top with the string beans and chunks of butter. Carefully roll up the bag opening in the direction of the top of the bag to keep in the heat, prevent the juices from leaking and to ensure a good blending of flavors.

Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, or, if using a barbecue, follow the barbecue’s manual directions for foil baking fish according to weight. Serve hot garnished with chervil sprigs, accompanied by a salad.