13th Annual Fish for Life Clam Chowder Cook-Off - Dana Point 2026
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Next edition
The 2027 date isn't out yet
Usually held around early March.
Based on 1 past edition
Event Details
- Date & Time
- Saturday, March 07, 2026 · 11:00AM
- Price
- $15 tasting card; $8 drinks
Programme
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11:00AM to 3:00PM; Awards at 3:30PM
Baby Beach
34451 Ensenada Pl, Dana Point, CA 92629
Clam chowder tasting 11:00AM–3:00PM, awards at 3:30PM (People's Choice Award and Best Booth Decoration). 2026 participating restaurants: Chart House, Coastal Kitchen, Dana Point Yacht Club, Dana West Yacht Club, Hook & Anchor, Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, Jon’s Fish Market, RJ’s Café, The Shwack, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, The White Rooster, Trevor’s at the Tracks, What a Dish Café, Wind & Sea Restaurant. Entertainment: live music by the Neil Levin Band, with special guest appearances by Ty Moss (Santana songwriter & Grammy member) and George Butts (saxophone).
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Voting: People's Choice Award and Best Booth Decoration (voting tickets from the Judging Booth)
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Live music by the Neil Levin Band, with special guest appearances by Ty Moss and George Butts (saxophone)
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3:30PM
Awards
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11:00AM to 3:00PM
Clam chowder tasting of all the chowders from the participating restaurants
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About This Event
The 13th Annual Fish for Life Clam Chowder Cook-Off, held on 7 March 2026 from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM at Baby Beach, 34451 Ensenada Pl, Dana Point, California, as part of the Festival of Whales. Fourteen local restaurants serve clam chowder; for $15 guests taste all the chowders and vote for the People's Choice Award and Best Booth Decoration, with awards at 3:30PM. Live music is by the Neil Levin Band, and proceeds benefit Fish for Life, which funds fishing trips for special needs children and their families.
The cause
Proceeds benefit Fish for Life, helping fund unforgettable fishing trips for special needs children and their families ("Spread the love one boat at a time!"; "Bringing Dignity, Inclusion, and New Possibilities to special needs children").
History
2026 is the 13th annual cook-off. People's Choice Champions: 2012 Laguna Cliffs Marriott; 2013 Harbor Grill; 2014 The Shwack; 2015 The Shwack; 2016 RJ’s Café; 2017 Harbor Grill; 2018 The Shwack; 2019 Coastal Kitchen; 2022 Coastal Kitchen; 2023 Coastal Kitchen; 2024 Trevor's at the Tracks; 2025 Jon's Fish Market.
On the menu
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By Chart House, Coastal Kitchen, Dana Point Yacht Club, Dana West Yacht Club, Hook & Anchor, Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, Jon’s Fish Market, RJ’s Café, The Shwack, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, The White Rooster, Trevor’s at the Tracks, What a Dish Café, Wind & Sea Restaurant
Clam chowder from each of the 2026 participating restaurants
Also served
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Tito’s Vodka
By Tito’s Vodka
Libation for adults 21+ with valid ID, $8; generously provided by Tito’s Vodka
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Los Molinos Beer
By Los Molinos Beer
Libation for adults 21+ with valid ID, $8; generously provided by Los Molinos Beer
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Westerly Wines
By Westerly Wines
Libation for adults 21+ with valid ID, $8; generously provided by Westerly Wines
Who's who
Organised by
- Jim Holden Contact for more information
- Fish for Life (part of the Dana Point Festival of Whales)
- Fish for Life (contact: Jim Holden), part of the Festival of Whales
Supported by
- Tito’s Vodka Provides libations
- Los Molinos Beer Provides libations
- Westerly Wines Provides libations
Taking part
2026 participating restaurant, serving clam chowder
- Chart House
- Coastal Kitchen
- Dana Point Yacht Club
- Dana West Yacht Club
- Hook & Anchor
- Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern
- Jon’s Fish Market
- RJ’s Café
- The Shwack
- The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
- The White Rooster
- Trevor’s at the Tracks
- What a Dish Café
- Wind & Sea Restaurant
On stage
- Neil Levin Band Live music
- Ty Moss Special guest appearance (Santana songwriter & Grammy member)
- George Butts Special guest appearance (Saxophone)
Contacts
- Jim Holden For more information
- (949) 285-8819 For more information (Jim Holden)
Good to know
- Cost: $15 to taste ALL Chowders.
- Guests redeem their tasting cards at the Judging Booth and receive two voting tickets: one for the People's Choice Award and one for Best Booth Decoration.
- Libations $8: adults 21+ with valid ID, provided by Tito's Vodka, Los Molinos Beer and Westerly Wines.
- Trolley Stop: E.
- Proceeds benefit Fish for Life (https://www.fishforlife.org/), funding fishing trips for special needs children and their families.
- Contact: Jim Holden, (949) 285-8819.
- Libations only for adults 21+ with valid ID
- Harbor-side atmosphere
- Winners
- 2012 Laguna Cliffs Marriott
- 2013 Harbor Grill
- 2014 The Shwack
- 2015 The Shwack
- 2016 RJ's Cafe
- 2017 Harbor Grill
- 2018 The Shwack
- 2019 Coastal Kitchen
- 2022 Coastal Kitchen
- 2023 Coastal Kitchen
- 2024 Trevor's at the Tracks
- 2025 Jon's Fish Market
Everything the announcement says
Every detail, as the festival announced it.
Clam Chowder Cook-Off (Festival of Whales).
Location: Baby Beach, 34451 Ensenada Pl, Dana Point, CA 92629. Trolley Stop: E.
Time: Mar 07, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Come join the fun at the 13th Annual Fish for Life Clam Chowder Cook-Off!
11:00AM to 3:00PM / Cost: $15 to taste ALL Chowders. Awards at 3:30PM.
Guests will redeem their tasting cards at the Judging Booth and receive two voting tickets: one to vote for the People's Choice Award; one to vote for Best Booth Decoration.
Libations $8: adults 21+ with valid ID may enjoy a libation for $8, generously provided by Tito's Vodka, Los Molinos Beer and Westerly Wines.
2026 Participating Restaurants: Chart House; Coastal Kitchen; Dana Point Yacht Club; Dana West Yacht Club; Hook & Anchor; Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern; Jon’s Fish Market; RJ’s Café; The Shwack; The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel; The White Rooster; Trevor’s at the Tracks; What a Dish Café; Wind & Sea Restaurant.
Entertainment: live music by the Neil Levin Band, with special guest appearances by Ty Moss (Santana songwriter & Grammy member) and George Butts (Saxophone).
Proceeds benefit Fish for Life, helping fund unforgettable fishing trips for special needs children and their families. "Spread the love one boat at a time!"
Come enjoy delicious clam chowder, live music and a fun harbor-side atmosphere, all while supporting a meaningful cause.
People's Choice Champions: 2012 Laguna Cliffs Marriott; 2013 Harbor Grill; 2014 The Shwack; 2015 The Shwack; 2016 RJ’s Café; 2017 Harbor Grill; 2018 The Shwack; 2019 Coastal Kitchen; 2022 Coastal Kitchen; 2023 Coastal Kitchen; 2024 Trevor's at the Tracks; 2025 Jon's Fish Market.
For more information, contact: Jim Holden, (949) 285-8819, FishForLife.org. "Bringing Dignity, Inclusion, and New Possibilities to special needs children".
Tasting 11 am to 3 pm, awards 3:30 pm. 14 restaurants including Chart House, Jon's Fish Market and The Shwack. Music by the Neil Levin Band. Contact Jim Holden.
Festival information may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Always check with the organizer before travelling.
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Location
Baby Beach, 34451 Ensenada Pl, Dana Point, CA 92629, California, United States
Confirm the venue and access information with the organizer before travelling.
Open in Google MapsPrices and tickets
- To taste ALL chowders (tasting card)
- $15
- Libation, adults 21+ with valid ID
- $8
What's included
- $15 tasting card to taste ALL chowders
- Tasting card redeemed at the Judging Booth for two voting tickets: one for the People's Choice Award, one for Best Booth Decoration