Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

What Cabrillo Marine Aquarium does

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a free public aquarium established in 1935 and operated as a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, with supplemental fundraising and membership services provided by the independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (Tax ID 33-0585381). Located on the shore of Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, California between Point Fermin and the Port of Los Angeles, the aquarium is dedicated exclusively to Southern California marine life and serves approximately 220,000 visitors annually, of whom roughly 150,000 are K-12 schoolchildren served through standards-aligned educational programs.

The facility is organized as an integrated campus comprising the Susanne Lawrenz-Miller Exhibit Hall (five habitat environments: Sandy Beaches, Mudflats, Rocky Shores, Kelp Forests, Open Ocean), the Aquatic Nursery research laboratory (40+ marine species across four aquaculture themes including microalgae cultivation for endangered white abalone), the Exploration Center (sensory learning experiences), and the John M. Olguin Auditorium. Core technology centers on a recently upgraded Life Support System ($8 million renovation completed for the 90th anniversary in 2025), working research wet tables, and microalgae cultivation systems used to rear more than 350 endangered Giant Sea Bass for conservation release and educational ambassadorship across the AZA network.

The business model is a hybrid public/nonprofit structure with no admission fee (suggested donations of $10 adult / $5 child), a 10-tier annual membership program ranging from $35 (Student) to $1,000 (Partner) with AZA reciprocity, fee-based education programs (Ocean Outreach at $170/session, Sea Search at $350/workshop, summer camps $35-$100), on-site and online gift shop sales, premium excursions (Baja Adventure, Channel Island voyages, whale watch trips), and the annual Grand Grunion Gala — which has raised more than $3 million in the last decade as the largest fundraiser. The aquarium is AZA-accredited and holds Gold-level SAFE Sharks and Rays partner status.

Name

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Legal name

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Website

https://cma.recreation.parks.lacity.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a free, AZA-accredited public aquarium in San Pedro, California, operated by the City of Los Angeles since 1935, focused exclusively on Southern California marine life and serving 220,000 annual visitors including 150,000 K-12 schoolchildren through standards-aligned education programs, conservation research, and community outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Aquarium & Marine Education

NAICS

Aquaculture (1125)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Marine & Coastal Ecotourism (Diving, Snorkeling, Whale Watching) (THAAAAAJ)

Keywords

• Marine education programs
• Public aquarium exhibits
• Marine conservation research
• School science programs
• Coastal wildlife education

Headquarters

HQ city

San Pedro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: Friends of CMA operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit collecting donations and membership fees. Membership levels range from $35 (Student) to $1,000 (Partner) annually, providing benefits including free admission, parking, discounts, and event access.
2. Admission (Free with Suggested Donation): General admission is free with suggested donations of $10 for adults and $5 for children/seniors. This accessibility-focused model maximizes community reach while generating voluntary contributions.
3. Education Program Fees: Fee-based programs including Ocean Outreach ($170 first session, $70 additional), Sea Search workshops ($350 for up to 35 students), summer camps ($35-$100 per session), and Ichthyology classes ($85).
4. Special Events and Gala: Annual Grand Grunion Gala fundraiser expecting 400 guests. Gala has raised more than $3 million in the last decade. Event includes gourmet dinner, auctions, and entertainment.
5. Gift Shop Sales: On-site gift shop offering ocean-inspired books, glassware, jewelry, t-shirts, toys. Friends members receive 15% discount. Online shop available through friendsofcabrilloaquarium.org.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a free-admission public aquarium dedicated to Southern California marine life, offering hands-on exhibits, NGSS-aligned school programs, public programs (whale watches, Baja and Channel Island voyages, Discovery Lecture Series), youth camps, conservation research (White Abalone, Giant Sea Bass, Pacific Seahorse), and a gift shop, supported through donations, memberships, program fees, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a single-site public aquarium (free admission) that serves as Los Angeles' premier teaching aquarium, focused exclusively on Southern California marine life. The facility operates as an integrated campus comprising the Susanne Lawrenz-Miller Exhibit Hall (five major habitat environments), the Aquatic Nursery (research laboratory), the Exploration Center (sensory learning), and the John M. Olguin Auditorium (film screenings). The institution offers a portfolio of educational products: structured School Programs (Sand to Sea Odyssey, Ocean Outreach, Sea Search) for K-12 students aligned with NGSS; Public Programs including overnight adventures (Baja Adventure, Channel Island Adventures), Whale Watch Trips, and Discovery Lecture Series; Science at the Seashore camps and after-school programs for ages 2-18; and the Young Scientists Program for high school students conducting research in the Aquatic Nursery. Ancillary offerings include educator resources (Ocean Discovery Kits, professional development workshops), volunteer and internship opportunities, Friends of CMA membership, and the on-site Gift Shop. Conservation research focuses on White Abalone, Pacific Seahorse, and Giant Sea Bass recovery programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Tax ID: 33-0585381.

Products and services

• Friends of CMA Membership Annual membership program with tiered pricing from Student ($35) to Partner ($1,000), offering free admission, free parking, gift-shop discounts, event access, and AZA reciprocity benefits to individuals, families, and supporters of the aquarium.
• Ocean Outreach (mobile school program) Mobile marine education program that brings aquarium educators to K-12 classrooms within a 60-mile radius for hands-on specimen investigation and exploration, priced per session with scholarships available.
• Sea Search Marine Biology Workshops Laboratory and field research workshops for student groups covering topics such as ichthyology, rocky shores, salt marsh, and plankton studies, priced at $350 for up to 35 students with scholarships available.
• Science at the Seashore (after-school & summer camps) After-school and summer camp programs for students ages 2–18 covering marine science exploration through sessions such as Little Squirts, SEA Club, Galloping Snails, Crab Shells, Ichthyology, and Coastal Research.
• Discovery Lecture Series Weekly science lecture series featuring marine research experts, available both online and in-person at the aquarium for general public audiences.
• Baja Adventure Voyage Multi-day educational voyage to Baja California exploring marine ecosystems and wildlife for fee-paying participants.
• Channel Island Adventures Boat trips to California's Channel Islands offering exploration of endemic species and natural history for fee-paying participants.
• Whale Watch Trips Boat-based whale-watching excursions available year-round to observe gray whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and sea lions.
• Educator Workshops Professional development workshops for teachers covering marine science topics; approved for four hours of LAUSD salary-point credit.
• Grand Grunion Gala Annual fundraising gala featuring cocktails, gourmet dinner, and auction — the aquarium's largest fundraiser, which has raised more than $3 million over the past decade.

Quantifiable outcome

• 220,000 annual visitors including 150,000 schoolchildren
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Friends of Cabrillo Marine AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing essential support and resources to the aquarium. Manages membership programs, donations, gift shop operations, and fundraising events including the annual Grand Grunion Gala. Helps support education, research, and outreach programs serving nearly 150,000 schoolchildren annually.
• City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and ParkscoreOthersParent government organization. CMA is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Full-time positions are administered through City of Los Angeles Personnel Department.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZA accreditation body. CMA is accredited by AZA and serves as a gold-level partner in AZA's Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) Sharks and Rays program. Staff serve on AZA committees and work groups.
• White Abalone Captive Breeding ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMA is a partner in the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program, working to rear, recover, and reestablish this endangered marine invertebrate (first marine invertebrate listed under the Endangered Species Act) in its natural habitat.
• Allen Lab at California State University, NorthridgemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner collaborating on Giant Sea Bass conservation. Joint efforts include tracking movements and behaviors through tagging and radio telemetry studies.
• Southern California Marine InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration partner for Giant Sea Bass conservation efforts and marine science education programs.
• Aquarium of the PacificmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Giant Sea Bass conservation and aquaculture programs. Collaborative efforts support the recovery of this endangered species.
• Shark Lab at California State University, Long BeachmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing to Giant Sea Bass tracking and radio telemetry studies. Joint efforts advancing understanding of these fish.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMA is a partner of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program, promoting sustainable seafood choices and consumer education.
• Port of Los AngelesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a supporter on CMA website footer alongside City of Los Angeles and other organizational partners.
• KultureCityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to become the first sensory-sensitive certified aquarium in California. KultureCity provides sensory inclusion training and resources including sensory bags and the KultureCity app.
• California Marine Sanctuary FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing educational resources on Marine Protected Areas including printed materials, multimedia content, and teaching resources.
• Heal the BayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization for the Key to the Sea program bringing marine education to schools. Also coordinates Coastal Cleanup Day events.
• California Coastal CommissionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoordinates annual beach cleanup efforts. CMA participates in California Coastal Commission's Coastal Cleanup Day each September.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Birch Aquarium at Scripps: San Diego-based aquarium affiliated with Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Comparable public-aquarium model with strong research ties and Pacific marine life focus.
• Aquarium of the Pacific: Long Beach-based public aquarium and existing CMA research partner on Giant Sea Bass conservation. Operates the same Southern California market, comparable AZA-accredited facility, and overlapping education programs.
• Seattle Aquarium: Pacific coast public aquarium with comparable AZA accreditation, school programs, and Pacific marine life exhibits. Direct functional analog on the West Coast.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: California-based AZA-accredited public aquarium focused on Pacific marine life, with the prominent Seafood Watch program of which CMA is a partner. Comparable mission, scale, and conservation orientation.
• Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (Heal the Bay): Southern California aquarium operated by Heal the Bay (a CMA partner on Key to the Sea). Comparable free/suggested-donation admission model, K-12 focus, and small-facility footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Georgia Aquarium: The largest aquarium in the U.S. and AZA-accredited. Operates the same public-aquarium business model with much greater scale, budget, and program breadth.
• New England Aquarium: Long-established Boston aquarium with substantially larger scale and a similar AZA-accredited education + conservation model. Operates broader geographic reach but with parallel mission and program structure.
• Shedd Aquarium: Chicago-based major AZA-accredited aquarium with a much larger footprint but directly comparable education, conservation, and public-aquarium program structure.
• National Aquarium (Baltimore): Major East Coast AZA-accredited public aquarium with a comparable combination of exhibits, K-12 education, conservation, and conservation-breeding programs at substantially greater scale.

Regional players

• The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: Connecticut-based public aquarium with a similar mid-sized, education-led model and Long Island Sound focus. Comparable scale and program breadth but East Coast geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLE39ofAjHEZ2rIu9V8cDcbjJYFtk23BC7
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cabrillo-marine-aquarium

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cabrillo Marine Aquarium