Cabrillo Beach

Los Angeles County

Cabrillo Beach, Los Angeles County, California
Cabrillo Beach, Los Angeles County, California

Cabrillo Beach

Los Angeles County


Cabrillo Beach

Situated in San Pedro at the entrance Los Angeles Harbor, Cabrillo Beach is really two beaches, one inside the harbor breakwater and the other, only yard away, on the outside of the breakwater facing the ocean. The inner beach and adjoining facilities are operated by the City of Los Angeles while the outer beach is maintained by the county.

The sheltered inner beach is most popular for swimming, wading, and sunbathing, while the exposed outer beach attracts more surfers.

Attractions such as the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Cabrillo Coastal Trail, the fishing pier, and the small boat launch ramp help make Cabrillo Beach a very popular destination.



Facilities at Cabrillo Beach

Cabrillo Beach has a picnic area between the main parking lot and the inner beach. Picnic tables are available there. Within eyesight of the picnic area is a children's playground with swings and slides. Restrooms are found at convenient locations all around the beach areas. They have outside showers for washing off sand. An array of tall metal poles interconnected at the tops with a grid of wires was installed to keep away seagulls. Please note that no fires are permitted on the beach.

Cabrillo Beach, Los Angeles County, CA

Cabrillo Beach's Inner Beach

Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier

The Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier stretches 1,200 feet in the harbor, just inside the breakwater. Anglers here are careful to limit eating their catches to a single meal every couple of weeks. White croakers should not be eaten at all. The concern is over concentrations of DDT and PCBs.

Pier hours are the same as for the beach, from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Portable restrooms are nearby. Although there are no lights, fishermen will find cleaning stations and a number of benches. Visitors will enjoy a large covered seating area. More on the ACTIVITIES page. . .

Boat Launch Ramp

The boat launch ramp is located at the north end of the main parking lot. It is best accessed off Shoshonean Road. The ramp hours are the same for the parking lot and beach, 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Parking is $2 per hour, up to a maximum of $15 per day. There are no additional fees for using the ramp. Boaters wishing to head out overnight can leave their trailer attached to their vehicle overnight in the parking lot for up to several days ($15 per day, cash).

Cabrillo Beach, Los Angeles County, CA

Cabrillo Beach's Outer Beach


Statues at Cabrillo Beach

A statue of Senator Stephen M. White, who helped lead the campaign to create Los Angeles Harbor, was moved to the entrance of Cabrillo Beach in 1989. The sculpture was created by Douglas Tilden in 1908 and first stood in front of the old County Courthouse before being moved to the beach.

A concrete statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, famous Portuguese explorer, was created by sculptor Henry Lion and dedicated in 1936. Cabrillo explored the California coast in 1542.

Los Angeles City Lifeguard Service

The Los Angeles City Lifeguard Service uses Cabrillo Beach as one of its main open water training facilities for its Lifeguard Academy. Classroom sessions are held in the Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse.
Los Angeles City Lifeguard Association

Cabrillo Beach map, Los Angeles County, California


Getting to Cabrillo Beach

Driving Instructions

Take the Harbor Freeway (I-110) south and exit at Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro. Turn right onto Harbor Boulevard and right again onto 22nd Street. Then make a left onto Pacific Avenue and follow it south to Stephen M. White Drive. Follow it around to the parking lot.



Parking at Cabrillo Beach

There are two parking lots at the beach. The main lot is adjacent to the aquarium while a smaller lot is located out toward the fishing pier. Parking for cars is $1 per hour up to a maximum of $9 per day. Boats and oversized vehicles pay $2 and $15 respectively. Cars with boat trailers attached can park overnight for that $15 fee. Limited free street parking can be found nearby.

Public Transportation

Metro bus 246 stops at Pacific Avenue and Stephen White Drive, close to Cabrillo Beach. The bus has nearby stops at Point Fermin. Its route leads north up Pacific Avenue to Figuera, then east on Anaheim Street before going north again on Avalon Boulevard to the Harbor Gateway Transit Center and on to Gardena. It runs every day at intervals from 20 to 60 minutes.
Metro Bus 246

Nearby Restaurants

Lighthouse Deli & Cafe
508 W. 39th Street
(310) 548-3354
Pacific Diner 3821 South Pacific Ave. - popular for breakfast - (310) 831-5334
Beach City Market & Deli 2801 South Pacific Avenue
Starbucks 438 S. Gaffey Street

Nearby Grocery Stores

Point Fermin Market 3833 South Pacific Avenue
Beach City Market & Deli 2801 South Pacific Avenue
Center Market 1605 South Centre Street - (310) 832-5873


  TOP


Ocean Safety

California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety