Salt Marsh Open House at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Most people who drive down to Cabrillo Beach never notice the little wetland tucked behind it. It's called Salinas de San Pedro, and on Sunday, September 27, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium opens it up for a Salt Marsh Open House from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. If you're sorting through things to do in Los Angeles that don't involve a parking garage or a cover charge, this one is free, quiet and a little surprising.

What happens at the open house

Aquarium educators and volunteers set up around the marsh with binoculars, magnifying glasses and other field tools. You borrow them and go looking. The staff will point out the plants that tolerate salt water and the small animals living in the mud and shallows, and they're happy to answer the questions kids (and adults) keep asking.

You don't have to do anything structured, though. The aquarium's own description invites you to just sit, watch the tide shift and listen to the birds. That's a real option. A salt marsh changes a lot over two hours as water moves in or out, and shorebirds tend to follow it.

Who it's for

It's open to all ages, and it's a good pick for families with curious kids. Children need to be with an adult. If you're bringing a scout troop, a class or any group of 15 or more, the aquarium asks that you make a reservation first by calling 1-310-548-7562.

For solo visitors it works too. Bring a notebook or a camera with a decent zoom. Herons and egrets don't love being approached, so a longer lens helps.

About the venue

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has been in San Pedro since 1935. It's run by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks with support from Friends of CMA, and it focuses on Southern California sea life rather than tropical tanks. The aquarium building itself is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you can pair the marsh visit with a walk through the exhibits before or after.

Practical info

• When: Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
• Where: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731
• Cost: Free
• Groups: Reservations requested for 15 or more

Dress for wind. Cabrillo Beach sits right at the harbor entrance, and even warm September afternoons get breezy by the water. Closed-toe shoes are smarter than sandals around the marsh edges. San Pedro is a long drive from most of the city, so leave time for the 110 south, which backs up on weekend afternoons.

If you're planning a full day of LA events this weekend, the San Pedro waterfront is close by for lunch and harbor views. For more outdoor ideas, browse our outdoor events or see what else is coming up across Los Angeles. The marsh itself is small. Two hours there with a pair of binoculars is plenty to spot a heron, watch the water turn and head home with sandy shoes.