Dana Point, California — One of Southern California’s longest-running waterfront restaurants is preparing to serve its final guests after more than 50 years in business. Wind & Sea, a beloved fixture in Dana Point Harbor, has announced it will permanently close on September 15, bringing an emotional end to a restaurant that has become a tradition for generations of locals and visitors alike.
Wind & Sea Announces Emotional Farewell
The restaurant shared the news with customers through an emotional social media announcement, thanking the community that has supported the business for decades.
In its message, Wind & Sea reflected on how the restaurant had grown into more than just a place to eat.
According to the announcement, it became a destination where families celebrated milestones, friendships were formed, and lifelong memories were created.
The restaurant said that although the decision was difficult, it remains grateful for the support it has received throughout its remarkable journey.
Fans May Soon Get the Famous Mai Tai Recipe
While many customers expressed sadness over the closure, one topic quickly stood out on social media—the restaurant’s iconic mai tai.
After a fan commented that the cocktail recipe was what everyone wanted to take home once the restaurant closed, Wind & Sea responded with a short but exciting message:
“It’s coming.”
The response delighted longtime patrons who have enjoyed the signature tropical drink for years.
Owner Bob Mardian estimates that the restaurant has served approximately 3.5 million mai tais since opening, making it one of the venue’s most recognizable traditions.
A Family Tradition for Generations
The announcement prompted an outpouring of memories from loyal customers.
Some recalled growing up visiting the restaurant with family members, while others shared deeply personal stories connected to the waterfront location.
One customer wrote that their family had visited Wind & Sea for years, calling it a special part of growing up in Dana Point Harbor.
Another said they scattered both parents’ ashes nearby and would often return to raise a mai tai in their memory, describing the closure as the end of a meaningful personal tradition.
The heartfelt responses highlighted the restaurant’s lasting impact far beyond its food and drinks.
Owner Reflects on More Than Five Decades in Business
Mardian signed the lease for the waterfront property in 1971 before officially opening Wind & Sea in 1972, when he was just 24 years old.
Looking back, he said the restaurant was the first business to open on the wharf and is now the last original restaurant still operating there.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mardian said he has spent his entire professional career building and operating the company he started as a young entrepreneur.
He also expressed pride in having successfully run the business for more than five decades.
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Before closing, Mardian plans to celebrate the restaurant’s legacy by auctioning furniture, artwork, decorations, and other memorabilia, giving longtime customers the chance to take home a piece of Wind & Sea history.
Harbor Redevelopment Brings Major Changes
The closure comes as Dana Point Harbor undergoes a $600 million revitalization project aimed at transforming the waterfront into a more modern, walkable destination.
Construction and demolition are already underway as part of the large-scale redevelopment effort.
At this time, it remains unclear whether Wind & Sea will relocate after construction or if September’s closure will mark the permanent end of the iconic restaurant.
For many Southern California residents, however, Wind & Sea’s legacy has already been secured through decades of celebrations, waterfront dining, and millions of unforgettable mai tais.
Have you ever visited Wind & Sea in Dana Point Harbor? What memories will you remember most from this iconic California restaurant? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
