After months of speculation, Wind & Sea at Dana Point Harbor has announced it will close Sept.15, ending a 54-year run overlooking the waterfront.
“After more than five decades of unforgettable memories, it’s time to share some heartfelt news with our beloved community,” read a message the restaurant posted to Instagram on July 14.
Hungry? Sign up for The Eat Index, our weekly food newsletter, and find out where to eat and get the latest restaurant happenings in Orange County. Subscribe here. Wind & Sea, which opened in 1972 and has long been known for its harbor views and Mai Tais, said July 16 marks the beginning of a 60-day countdown to its final day of service.
“On September 15, 2026, we will close our doors at our beloved Dana Point home,” the message continued.
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45 years and looks to the future
The announcement follows months of uncertainty surrounding the seafood-and-steak eatery’s future as the ongoing redevelopment of Dana Point Harbor’s commercial marina moves forward.
Fans of the Wind & Sea bid the beloved restaurant farewell, while others lamented the loss of yet another longtime local institution.
“This seems to be what Dana Point considers progress,” wrote Erika Nyhagen. “It is very sad to see all the businesses have to leave that made Dana Point the special place that it was. It is becoming Newport Beach.” Eric Eljenholm echoed that sentiment, writing, “I understand modernizing Dana Point Harbor, but I don’t support losing the businesses that made it worth visiting in the first place.”
Robert “Bob” Mardian opened Wind & Sea in 1972 when he was just 25 years old. Since then, he expanded his portfolio with Harpoon Henry’s, also in the Dana Point Harbor (which closed in 2025), along with Kona Inn and Kona Canoe Club in Hawaii.
Several restaurants at Dana Point Harbor have closed in recent years in anticipation of the $600 million redevelopment, including El Torito, Harpoon Henry’s, The Brig, Beach Harbor Pizza and Gemmell’s.