California Spiny Lobster Season Returns
There’s a season we celebrate every year, symbolized by an icon cloaked in red who brings joy to seafood lovers on the West Coast. No, it’s not Santa Claus. In fact, there are no claws at all. When the calendar pages turn to October, it signals the start of California Spiny Lobster season!
Get ready to throw on a buoy bib and dig into this uniquely Californian delicacy!
What is a Spiny Lobster?
Part of the Palinuridae family, Spiny Lobsters get their name from the forward-pointing spines that cover their bodies to protect them from predators. While that’s one point of visual distinction, you can also tell them apart from their North American Hardshell counterparts by the lack of front claws, their powerful tails and long, spiky antennae.
Also referred to as Rock Lobster, Spiny Lobsters can be found in warmer seas around the world. In the waters of the Bahamas, New Zealand and South Africa, you can find them under the name Crawfish or Crayfish – a name typically reserved for Freshwater Crawfish in the United States.
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Don’t let the lack of front claws fool you or deter you – the meat yield of the Spiny Lobster, or “bugs” as they’re affectionately called, is generally about 25% more per pound compared to a North American Hardshell Lobster.
Without front claws as a defense mechanism, Spiny Lobsters will use their powerful tails and strong spines as a means of defense against sheepshead, black seabass, sea otters and octopuses. It’s from this muscular section where most of the meat is found.
Spiny Lobsters are also predators themselves. As nocturnal scavengers, they come out of their dens to forage in the rocky areas where they reside to feed on mussels, sea urchin, small fish and sometimes other lobsters.
California Spiny Lobster Season
The season for California Spiny Lobster typically runs from October through March. And, of the spiny lobsters caught in California, as little as 10% stay in the United States. It's a unique treat and Water Grill is pleased to be one of the only places where California Spiny Lobster is on the menu during the season.
Management over the fisheries of California Spiny Lobsters is overseen by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which sets strict daily catch and permit issuance numbers during the season.
Enforcement most often occurs through managing the size of the lobsters that are caught. All lobsters, both commercially and recreationally caught, must be of legal size, which is defined by the lobster having a carapace (or top outer shell) of 3.5” in length.
Spiny Lobsters will achieve this length when they are about seven to 11 years of age. This allows them to reproduce at least once in their lifetime, ensuring the continuation of the species.
Typically caught by lobster traps that slowly move into deeper waters as the season progresses, about 80% of the spiny lobsters that are caught measure at one and a quarter to two pounds. Some have been known to reach as much as 20 pounds.
Like their name suggests, California Spiny Lobsters are caught off the coast of California, with a range as far south as Magdalena Bay in Baja California, Mexico, and as far north as Morro Bay, Calif.
California Spiny Lobster on our menus
At Water Grill, you’ll find live, wild California Spiny Lobster swimming in our saltwater tanks. We prepare them to order, finished on the grill and paired with lobster butter and a grilled lemon. Check out our daily menus and catch this Californian delicacy while it’s in season!
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Celebrate in Style with Water Grill Private Dining
When it comes to hosting an event that’s both memorable and special, the private dining experience at Water Grill is one that your Guests will be talking about long after the final toast. Create an intimate and luxurious gathering that’s perfect for corporate meetings, business lunches and dinners, cocktail receptions, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations and wedding parties of all sizes!
Whether you’re planning an important corporate meeting, a joyful family celebration or simply gathering with friends over a shared love of food, the private dining capabilities at Water Grill set the perfect stage so that your next event goes flawlessly.
Distinctive Spaces Tailored for Your Occasion
At Water Grill, we know the setting shouldn’t outdo the story – but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be just as stunning. That’s why our private dining rooms are thoughtfully designed to include both private and semi-private spaces, each with their own story and unique character.
We’ve created private entrances if you’re looking for an experience removed from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. Or, if you’re looking for that unique energy, you can use the same stunning entrances as our Guests.
Host an intimate dinner in a warm, wood-accented room, or reserve a vibrant glass-enclosed space that buzzes with the energy of the restaurant while offering an exclusive atmosphere for your Guests. Full private rooms are available for larger groups, accommodating everything from business presentations to rehearsal dinners with effortless style.
Each space is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you and our private events team to create your ideal mood and seating arrangement to fit your vision. When your celebration deserves more than just a “back room,” Water Grill provides a canvas worthy of your masterpiece.
Menus That Celebrate Coastal Quality
It wouldn’t be Water Grill if you didn’t leave talking about the quality of seafood and the variety that was offered on our menus. We’ve created incredible menus that will leave your Guests both satisfied but wanting more.
Whether you’re looking for pre-fixe menus served by a dedicated waitstaff, or buffet-style dining, we have lunch and dinner menus to suit your events expectations. Don’t forget to leave room for apps and dessert, too!
From the best of the ocean to hand-cut steak and more, our private dining menus were designed to please a range of tastes without sacrificing quality or choice. And our tiered system works with multiple budgets.
Seamless Technology for Flawless Presentations
Be it an important pitch and presentation, or a slideshow of memories to celebrate, we’ve got you covered to make sure your audio/visual needs are met. Our private dining spaces are equipped with configurable technology, ensuring you’ll have what you need to impress.
Our rooms feature 4K TVs with multiple streaming options, along with plug-and-play options for music, microphones and visuals. Our team will help you set everything up — whatever you need to keep your Guests engaged and the atmosphere just right. Because when the tech runs smoothly, you can stay focused on the important things: raising a glass, sealing the deal or simply enjoying the company.
Personalized Planning from Start to Finish
From your first conversation with our dedicated events team to the last crumb of dessert, you’ll be looked after with a planning experience smoother than mother of pearl. Our experienced event planning staff works closely with you to understand your vision, make recommendations and take care of the details you don’t have time to worry about.
Our event managers are passionate about creating experiences to remember and setting you up with everything you could need for an event you can’t forget. You’ll have dedicated servers and culinary teams to ensure that your plates are ready when you need them, gone when you don’t and your glasses are full for the next toast.
Prime Locations with Coastal Charm
From a couple of steps off the ocean, to hundreds of miles off the coast, our locations are ready to give you the best of the ocean however far away it may be. Not only that, but our restaurants are close to airports, convention centers and in the heart of where things are happening.
Water Grill Bellevue
Located in Downtown Bellevue at Lincoln Square, within steps of popular hotels and a short drive away from companies like Microsoft and T-Mobile, Water Grill Bellevue offers a customizable room that can seat up to 22 people. Consistently rated as Greater Seattle’s top seafood restaurants by the likes of Fabulous Washington and The Seattle Times, Water Grill Bellevue is the perfect space for your next event in the Pacific Northwest.
Water Grill Denver
Mentioned by Westworld and Thrillist as one of Denver’s best, Water Grill Denver offers 4 unique private dining rooms to get the best of the ocean miles from the coast. Perfect for events of all sizes, this location is in the heart of Downtown Denver, just blocks from the Colorado Convention Center, Coors Field and Union Station, and can fit parties of 10 to 200 people!
Water Grill Las Vegas
With its centralized location near the Las Vegas Convention Center and just steps away from numerous casino resorts, Water Grill Las Vegas is the perfect place to host any sized event – for business or pleasure. Capable of hosting anywhere from 10 to 400 people, this location has six customizable options for your next event in Vegas and is one of the top restaurants for seafood in town – just ask Eater and Vegas Magazine!
Water Grill South Coast Plaza
Seafood has a home in Orange County, and it is Water Grill South Coast Plaza. Located in Costa Mesa, a short drive from John Wayne Airport (SNA) and next door to Segerstrom Center for the Arts, enjoy privacy, comfort and convenience with eight different private dining options. Host from 10 to 110 people in spaces designed for their customizability and enjoy a setting rated highly by the Orange County Register and Modern Luxury.
Water Grill San Diego
From configurable seating arrangements to the central Gaslamp District location, just blocks from the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park and San Diego Airport (SAN), to the four customizable private dining rooms seating up to 118 people, Water Grill San Diego is your private dining destination in sunny San Diego. Listen to Modern Luxury and San Diego Magazine who rate our San Diego location as one of the area’s top seafood restaurants!
Ready to create an event that makes waves? Learn more about our private dining spaces by heading to watergrill.com
