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2026 California Ocean Summit
Innovating For Resilience
A premier four-day event advancing ocean stewardship through science, policy, philanthropy, investment, and culture. Join us as we leverage California's legacy of environmental innovation to drive lasting impact for our coast.
A premier four-day event advancing ocean stewardship through science, policy, philanthropy, investment, and culture.
December 8-11, 2026 | Santa Barbara, CA
One Summit, Two Experiences
The California Ocean Summit is intentionally designed to bring together both the leaders driving ocean solutions and the broader community that cares about the future of our coasts. Through a combination of working sessions and public-facing cultural programming, the Summit creates opportunities for meaningful collaboration, storytelling, and action.
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SCIENCE, POLICY & INVESTMENT
Working Summit
The engine of the Summit, bringing together leaders across sectors to collaborate, build partnerships, and advance actionable solutions.
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EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
Public Programming
Film, arts, storytelling, and community experiences designed to inspire the next wave of ocean leaders.
Where Science, Capital, Policy, and Culture Converge
The California Ocean Summit is organized around five interconnected themes designed to spark collaboration, accelerate innovation, and advance meaningful action. Together, these focus areas bring diverse perspectives into conversation around the future of ocean stewardship and coastal resilience.
Ocean Innovation
INNOVATION
Explore the research, technology, deployment, and commercialization shaping the future of ocean solutions—highlighting the people and innovations moving from concept to real-world impact.
Policy & Progress
ACTION
Engage with policymakers, agency leaders, and advocates working to advance practical solutions for California’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. Discussions focus on implementation, collaboration, and the policies needed to drive measurable progress.
Capital & Investment
INVESTMENT
ADiscover how philanthropy, ocean venture capital, impact investing, and blended finance can help scale ocean solutions. This focus area connects funders and innovators around opportunities to accelerate environmental and economic outcomes.
Community & Culture
CONNECTION
Experience the power of storytelling, film, arts, and public engagement to inspire action and deepen our connection to the ocean. This portion of the event explores how culture can help move ocean issues from the margins to the center of public conversation.
Field Experiences
EXPLORATION
Step beyond the conference venue and into the landscapes that make California’s coastline unique. Guided site visits and immersive experiences provide firsthand perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping our coastal future.
Community & Culture
CONNECTION
Experience the power of storytelling, film, arts, and public engagement to inspire action and deepen our connection to the ocean. This portion of the event explores how culture can help move ocean issues from the margins to the center of public conversation.
Where Science, Capital, Policy, and Culture Converge
The California Ocean Summit is organized around five interconnected themes designed to spark collaboration, accelerate innovation, and advance meaningful action. Together, these focus areas bring diverse perspectives into conversation around the future of ocean stewardship and coastal resilience.
Ocean Innovation
INNOVATION
Explore the research, technology, deployment, and commercialization shaping the future of ocean solutions—highlighting the people and innovations moving from concept to real-world impact.
Policy & Progress
ACTION
Engage with policymakers, agency leaders, and advocates working to advance practical solutions for California’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. Discussions focus on implementation, collaboration, and the policies needed to drive measurable progress.
Capital & Investment
INVESTMENT
Discover how philanthropy, ocean venture capital, impact investing, and blended finance can help scale ocean solutions. This focus area connects funders and innovators around opportunities to accelerate environmental and economic outcomes.
Community & Culture
CONNECTION
Experience the power of storytelling, film, arts, and public engagement to inspire action and deepen our connection to the ocean. This portion of the event explores how culture can help move ocean issues from the margins to the center of public conversation.
Field Experiences
EXPLORATION
Step beyond the conference venue and into the landscapes that make California’s coastline unique. Guided site visits and immersive experiences provide firsthand perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping our coastal future.
