Sometimes overshadowed by its gigantic cousin in Long Beach, the Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro is a fantastic alternative for visitors who want to spend the majority of their day at an actual beach. Full of hand-painted displays and small-town charm, the Cabrillo Aquarium has a wide variety of marine species, some of which can be experienced firsthand in a touch tank. It's also home to the famous yearly grunion run, where the unique mating and reproductive habits of the small silverside fish attract curious human spectators.

—Molly Lambert

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