Well, it looks like the tide has finally turned for seafood lovers. The OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival is set to return to the iconic Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, October 19, 2025, bringing together top chefs, restaurants, and ocean advocates for a vibrant celebration of the sea.
This year’s festival holds special significance as it honors National Seafood Month, commemorates the City of Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary, and will serve as the official closing event of LA Tech Week. A portion of ticket sales will be dedicated to benefiting Heal the Bay, supporting their mission to protect our coastline, restore local waterways, and keep the Santa Monica Bay clean.
What treasures lie beneath the ocean blue?
Delicious ones! OFF THE HOOK stands as Santa Monica’s premier food festival, designed to showcase the city’s finest restaurants with the Pacific Ocean providing a stunning backdrop, guests are invited to indulge in incredible seafood tastings, which will feature a variety of options including oysters, lobster, shrimp, tuna, and sushi.
A Pirates Dream
Beyond the culinary delights, the festival offers craft beer and wine gardens, curated cocktails, and a lively Yacht Rock party with live music from The Windbreakers, who will play smooth rock hits from the ’70s and ’80s.
The experience is rounded out with interactive games, entertaining oyster shucking (and slurping) competitions, ocean-inspired photo opportunities, and a marketplace for artisan vendors, all culminating in the Sustainable Seafood VIP Lounge, presented by Santa Monica Seafood.
But what about the ocean?
As always, OFF THE HOOK is committed to sustainability, making the festival 100% free of single-use plastics and actively highlighting innovation and education around ocean conservation. This year, a portion of the funds raised will also bolster Heal the Bay’s ongoing efforts to support recovery and resilience for people, ecosystems, and coastal waters impacted by recent Los Angeles wildfires.
Emily Parker, Senior Marine Scientist and Circular Economy Fellow at Heal the Bay, emphasized the organization’s approach: “At Heal the Bay, we believe protecting what we love starts with science, community, and smart policy.” She highlighted their advocacy work, stating, “We helped advocate for the creation of California’s Marine Protected Areas and continue that work through our MPA Watch program, training volunteers to monitor human activity in these vital ocean habitats.”
Heal the Bay championed AB 1611 to improve conservation enforcement and was one of the first nonprofits behind the firelines after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, where they are currently monitoring its long-term impacts on coastal ecosystems. Parker proudly noted their partnership with the festival, adding, “As co-founders of Reusable LA, we’re proud to partner with OFF THE HOOK — a zero single-use plastic event that highlights innovation, education, and community action around ocean conservation.”
Cast a net for the festival’s biggest catches!
The festival will feature tastings from over 25 restaurants, including notable names such as Al Dente Pasta Shop, Arth Bar & Kitchen, Blue Plate Oysterette, Blue Ribbon Sushi, BOA Steakhouse, City Club LA, Edgemar, Emporium Thai, Feisty Fish Poké, Fitoor Santa Monica, Fogo de Chao, Killer Shrimp, Mastro’s Ocean Club, Michael’s Santa Monica, Santa Monica Seafood, SoCalo & Border Grill Catering, Soko Sushi, Sushi Roku, Sweetfin Poké, The Albright, The Butter End, The Lobster, The Surfing Fox, Vamos Vamos, Whaler Santa Monica, and Wife and the Somm, among others.
Live entertainment will be provided by The Windbreakers at the Yacht Rock Party, delivering the smooth sounds of the ’70s and ’80s. The Sustainable Seafood VIP Lounge, sponsored by Santa Monica Seafood, offers an enhanced experience with exclusive tastings from additional chefs, curated cocktails, full beverage service, one-hour early entry, swag bags, premier seating, and a free day-pass for unlimited amusement rides at Pacific Park (a $40 value).
Beverage tastings throughout the venue will be offered by partners including Duvel, Dulce Vida Tequila, Bloody Gerry, Harken Chardonnay, Ysidro Sake Spritz, Hampton Water Wine Rosé, Hendricks, Half Shell Spirits, Santai Life Coffee, PRP Wine International, Rías Baixas, Giesen Wines, The Finnish Long Drink, and Simply Pop.
Which vessel is right for your voyage? The festival offers two all-inclusive ticket options. The Little Fish (GA) tickets, starting at $80, include over two dozen seafood tastings, beverage tastings (liquor, beer, wine, sake, non-alcoholic), games, live music, and more, with entry at 4 PM.
The Big Fish (VIP) tickets, starting at $175, include all General Admission offerings plus a one-hour early entry at 3 PM, exclusive access to the Sustainable Seafood VIP Lounge (sponsored by Santa Monica Seafood), which features additional tastings from restaurants like Soko Sushi, Edgemar, Fitoor Santa Monica, Michael’s Santa Monica, and Vamos Vamos, along with curated cocktails, full beverage service, premium seating, a swag bag, and an unlimited amusement park ride pass for Pacific Park (a $40 value).
Who is helping steer the ship to success?
The event is made possible through the support of key sponsors and partners including Santa Monica Seafood, City of Santa Monica, Pacific Park, LA Magazine, KTLA, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Office of Sustainability & the Environment, Buy Local SM, Duvel, Giesen Wines, Vons, Venice Paparazzi, Santa Monica Daily Press, Syndicate, LA Tech Week, Downtown Santa Monica, Spin PR Group, and Green Goddess Pedicabs.
What lighthouse guides the way for ocean protection in Los Angeles?
Heal the Bay is the leading ocean protection group in Greater Los Angeles. The grassroots nonprofit uses science, advocacy, community action, and education to keep Santa Monica Bay and local waters healthy, safe, and clean. In addition to establishing Marine Protected Areas off the Southern California coast, Heal the Bay is actively supporting cleanup and restoration efforts in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires to ensure coastal ecosystems and communities remain resilient.
Don’t miss the boat! Tickets are available now at www.offthehookseafoodfest.com
