Earlier this week, news broke that the iconic Gladstone's restaurant in Malibu would be closing its doors after more than 50 years in business, but a San Diego location is still in the works with an anticipated 2024 opening.
Nearly two years later, Edgewater Grill is still serving diners in downtown San Diego. Combined with recent news that the original Gladstone's restaurant in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles would soon be closing, many worried that the company was scrapping plans for San Diego. But we were ensured earlier this week that Gladstone's would take possession of the Edgewater Grill space in early 2024 and aimed to have its San Diego location operational by year's end. 
"San Diego is our second home," explained Gladstone's Long Beach and San Diego owner John Sangmeister. "I had the privilege of sailing with San Diego's own Dennis Conner in the 1987 and 1992 Americas Cups on board Stars & Stripes representing the San Diego Yacht Club. We are excited to bring Gladstone's to San Diego and being an active part of the community. San Diego has earned its reputation as America’s finest city, and we look forward to be part of the tapestry that makes the city so magnificent."
Gladstone’s was founded in Santa Monica Canyon by Robert J. Morris in 1972. The restaurant moved to the scenic intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway in 1981. It reportedly sells 35 tons of crab, 65,000 lobsters and 1.9 million gallons of clam chowder each year.
In 2004, a licensee of the Gladstone’s brand, John Sangmeister, opened a location at the Pine Avenue Pier in Long Beach. The Malibu restaurant was most recently owned by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who died this past April. The Malibu branch allegedly deviated from the original brand in recent years and was operated under a concessions agreement, which ends September 15 of this year. At that time, the Malibu restaurant will cease operations under its current ownership, but should the county find an interim restaurant operator, it could continue to operate as Gladstone’s until celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and his partners eventually take over the waterfront space.
At San Diego's Seaport Village, Gladstone’s will bring a fresh, new concept with a focus on classic seafood dishes including fish plates, king crab, Maine lobster, and much more, as well as a full bar. The nearly 10,000 square-foot space will have a nautical theme with an outdoor wrap-around patio located along the bay front promenade.
Gladstone's is anticipated to open in late 2024 at 861 W Harbor Drive at Seaport Village in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit gladstoneslongbeach.com and check out the artistic renderings of the incoming San Diego branch.
Gladstone's is anticipated to open in late 2024 at 861 W Harbor Drive at Seaport Village in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit gladstoneslongbeach.com and check out the artistic renderings of the incoming San Diego branch.
