OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival returns to the Santa Monica Pier, celebrating National Seafood Month and the 100-year anniversary of Route 66 while raising funds for Heal the Bay and supporting the Santa Monica Pier Corporation’s free community programming. The event emphasizes sustainability, operates without single-use plastics, and highlights innovation and education focused on ocean conservation.
All-inclusive admission features seafood tastings from more than twenty-five restaurants, craft beer with a nonalcoholic option, boutique wine with a nonalcoholic option, spirits tastings, underwater-inspired photo opportunities, artisan vendors, and a Sustainable Seafood VIP Lounge presented by Santa Monica Seafood. Live entertainment comes from The Windbreakers with a yacht rock party of seventies and eighties soft rock. Oyster shucking and slurping contests are presented by Westside Oyster Club, and nautical attire like captain’s hats, boat shoes, and ascots is encouraged.
Participating restaurants include Santa Monica Seafood, Water Grill, West Side Oyster Club, Sushi Roku, Rustic Canyon, Meat on Ocean, The Lobster with chef Govind Armstrong, Mastro’s Ocean Club with chef Walter Mayen, Milo & Olive, Pacific Catch, BOA, The Albright, FITOOR, Fogo de Chão, Huckleberry, Pier Burger, Khan Saab with chef Imran Ali Mookhi, The Surfing Fox with chef Irene Verceles, Levain Bakery, Dear Neighbor Handrolls, Feisty Fish Poke, Shoreside at Shore Hotel, Sweet Rose Creamery, and Arth Bar & Kitchen. Inside the Santa Monica Seafood VIP Lounge, offerings come from Calabra at Proper Hotel with chef Kaleo Adams, Michael’s Santa Monica, The Penthouse at The Huntley with chef Job Carder, Vibe Caviar with chef Keven Lee, and Shuck Brothers.
Beverage partners include Salt Point, Duvel, Open Water, Riboli Family Wines, Dulce Vida Tequila, Roseade Spritzer, Harken Chardonnay, Giesen 0% Wine, AJA Vineyards, and Junipero Gin. Sponsors and community partners include the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Seafood, King’s Seafood, Pacific Park, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, the Office of Sustainability & the Environment, KTLA, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Buy Local, Spin PR Group, Yelp, Best of your City, Venice Paparazzi, Santa Monica Daily Press, and FWR Rental Haus.
A portion of sales benefits Heal the Bay, an environmental nonprofit working to keep the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean through science, education, community action, and advocacy.