OFF THE HOOK Santa Monica Seafood Festival

About

Celebrate National Seafood Month at the 8th annual OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival on the iconic Santa Monica Pier! This seafood lover's dream showcases the city’s best chefs and restaurants and their favorite underwater ingredients. This year, OFF THE HOOK will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66, the legendary highway that begins—or ends—at the beloved Santa Monica Pier. Hosted by KTLA’s very own WENDY BURCH!

Mission

Our mission is to bring seafood lovers together for a day of fun and community on the historic Santa Monica Pier, celebrate the city's best dining offerings, and raise funds and awareness for Heal the Bay. OFF THE HOOK is 100% free of Single-Use Plastics in an effort to help preserve our local ocean and beaches for future generations.

Experience

Enjoy seafood tastings from 20 of your favorite chefs and restaurants, a live yacht rock band, amusement park rides at Pacific Park, fun photo opportunities, oyster shucking (and slurping!) competitions sponsored by West Side Oyster Club, and the Santa Monica Seafood Sustainable Seafood VIP Lounge. Attendees will also have the chance to vote for their favorite restaurant to win the coveted People’s Choice Award.

PRESERVING OUR WATERS

Heal the Bay is an environmental non-profit based right here in Santa Monica. Their mission is to protect the Santa Monica Bay, and more broadly, to support efforts to preserve and protect the Southern California coastal waters and watersheds. Founded in 1985, the foundation has become a prominent advocate for the environment in California, particularly known for report card ratings of water quality and for its advocacy for plastic restrictions in California.

Heal the Bay supports public health and education outreach programs and beach cleanup programs such as Coastal Cleanup Day and Adopt-a-Beach.

HealtheBay.org

Santa Monica Pier

This year’s event will also support the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, to help fund their efforts to provide free community programming.

The Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) is a 501c(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation that was founded in 1983. SMPC was formed for the purpose of assisting the City in the rehabilitation, preservation, protection, development, operation, and management of the Pier.

SantaMonicaPier.org

The Windbreakers are the quintessential yacht rock band, expertly bringing the smooth sounds of the late 70s and early 80s to life. With a focus on the sophisticated, laid-back grooves that defined the yacht rock genre, The Windbreakers offers an authentic musical experience that transports audiences to an era of timeless classics and effortless cool.

Drawing inspiration from the smooth melodies and polished production of bands like Toto, Steely Dan, and Hall & Oates, Wind Breakers delivers a setlist filled with iconic hits that epitomize the yacht rock sound. Their performances are characterized by lush harmonies, silky guitar riffs, and an overall relaxed vibe that perfectly captures the essence of the genre.

The band features a lineup of seasoned musicians who are not only skilled in their craft but also passionate about recreating the yacht rock experience. Each member brings their own expertise to the table, ensuring that every show is both musically impressive and nostalgically satisfying. With attention to detail in both sound and stage presence, The Windbreakers excel in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre.

Who's ready to get Shuckin'?

Step up, seafood lovers! It's time to show off your skills (or your appetite) at the OFF THE HOOK oyster competitions!

"Best in Shuck" Oyster Shucking Showdown

Think you can shuck faster and cleaner than anyone else? You'll have 5 minutes to shuck and present as many oysters as possible. Speed is important, but presentation is everything, so make those beauties look irresistible!

Oyster Slurping Smackdown

This one's for the oyster-obsessed. The challenge? Down as many oysters as you can in 3 minutes, no shucking required.

Hosted by KTLA’s Wendy Burch!

Whether you're competing or cheering from the sidelines, this is one shell of a good time you won't want to miss.

Registration Open Now! Secure your spot and claim your oyster glory!