About this pier
Known officially to CDFW as the Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier, this municipal pier sits in the San Pedro neighborhood of the city of Los Angeles, within Los Angeles County. It's tucked inside the outer breakwater of the Port of Los Angeles, right next to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, which gives it noticeably calmer, bay-like conditions compared to piers exposed directly to open-ocean swell. That sheltered setting makes it one of the more beginner- and family-friendly piers in the greater Los Angeles area, and its position within the harbor breakwater means it's rarely affected by the larger swells that can make open-coast piers rough.
What you can catch
The Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier falls within CDFW's Southern Management Area, spanning from Point Conception to the Mexico border. Because it sits inside the harbor's protected waters, anglers often find species associated with calmer bay environments alongside typical surf fish: surfperch, jacksmelt, and topsmelt near the pilings, along with mackerel and occasional bonito passing through. Halibut and rays are realistic bottom-fishing targets given the sandy harbor floor, and smaller sharks sometimes show up on bait fished after dark or in low light.
License and regulations
Fishing from this public municipal pier does not require a California sport fishing license, consistent with the statewide rule for public piers. Size limits, daily bag limits, and closed seasons for each species remain fully in effect no matter your license status. Public pier anglers are also limited to two rods per person under California law. Because pier hours and rules can change, check CDFW's current Beach Fishing list before your trip.
Tips for fishing here
The calmer, harbor-protected water here means lighter tackle often outperforms heavier surf gear; small hooks with sand crab or mussel work well for surfperch near the pilings. Because the pier sits close to the aquarium and a swimming beach, it draws a good number of families, so early mornings tend to offer more casting room. A simple high-low rig with strips of squid or anchovy on the bottom is a solid all-around approach for whatever happens to be biting that day. Because the water is shallower and calmer than open-coast piers, it's also a forgiving spot for kids to practice casting and reeling without fighting wind or heavy current.
Before you go
Cabrillo Beach's adjacent park, aquarium, and restrooms make this an easy pier to combine with a broader family outing, and parking is generally more available here than at busier beach-town piers. Bring polarized sunglasses to spot fish cruising the clearer harbor water. Pairing a visit with the aquarium next door is a natural way to round out the day for younger anglers. As always, confirm current CDFW regulations and pier status before heading out, since harbor operations can occasionally affect access.