MomSkoop
California’s coastline offers some of the freshest seafood in the world, and locals have their favorites that have stood the test of time. From tiny fish shacks to upscale dining rooms, these spots serve up ocean treasures that keep customers coming back for decades. Whether you’re craving buttery lobster, fresh-shucked oysters, or hearty cioppino, these legendary seafood spots deserve a spot on your must-visit list.
1. Swan Oyster Depot: San Francisco’s Century-Old Treasure
A tiny counter with just 18 stools, Swan Oyster Depot has been serving the freshest seafood since 1903. Locals line up daily before opening, knowing the wait is worth every minute.
Their Dungeness crab is legendary, served simply with sourdough bread and a squeeze of lemon. The Sicilian-style sashimi, a secret menu item, features the day’s catch with olive oil and capers.
Family-owned for generations, the Sancimino brothers behind the counter treat regulars like family and newcomers like soon-to-be regulars. Cash only and worth every penny!
2. The Crab Cooker: Newport Beach’s Bright Red Landmark
That bright red building on Newport Boulevard has been drawing seafood lovers since 1951. Founded by Bob Roubian, The Crab Cooker serves seafood with zero pretension – paper plates and plastic forks are part of the charm.
Manhattan clam chowder, not the creamy New England style, reigns supreme here. Locals swear by the skewered scallops and the Pacific Dungeness crab served with their special cocktail sauce.
After rebuilding following structural damage, they reopened in 2020 with the same recipes and philosophy: simple, fresh seafood at fair prices.
3. Old Fisherman’s Grotto: Monterey’s Wharf Classic
Perched on Monterey’s famous wharf since 1950, Old Fisherman’s Grotto captures the essence of California’s coastal heritage. Their award-winning clam chowder has earned national recognition, served in a sourdough bread bowl that locals consider the gold standard.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning bay views where you might spot sea otters playing while enjoying their signature calamari. The Grotto Special combines lobster, crab, and prawns for a seafood feast that’s been prepared the same way for generations.
Founded by Sabu Shake Sr., his sons continue his legacy of excellence and hospitality.
4. Duarte’s Tavern: Pescadero’s 19th Century Gem
Hidden in the coastal town of Pescadero since 1894, Duarte’s Tavern blends Portuguese heritage with California’s bounty. Their artichoke soup, a velvety green concoction, has achieved cult status among locals who often ask for the “half and half” – artichoke soup swirled with their equally famous cream of green chile.
Fourth-generation family members still run this James Beard Award winner. The cioppino brims with local seafood in a tomato broth that’s been perfected over decades.
End your meal with olallieberry pie, featuring the blackberry-raspberry hybrid that thrives in the coastal climate.
5. Phil’s Fish Market: Moss Landing’s Hidden Treasure
Tucked between Monterey and Santa Cruz, Phil’s Fish Market looks unassuming from the outside. Inside, the aroma of Phil DiGirolamo’s world-famous cioppino fills the air – the same recipe that beat Bobby Flay in a televised cook-off.
Picnic tables and simple surroundings let the seafood shine. Locals know to order the sand dabs when available, a delicate local fish that melts in your mouth.
Fishing boats visible from the patio deliver their catch directly to Phil’s kitchen. The restaurant’s massive menu offers everything from abalone to zuppa di pesce, but everyone comes back for that legendary cioppino.
6. Malibu Seafood: Ocean-View Fish Shack
Perched on Pacific Coast Highway, this no-frills fish market and café serves seafood so fresh it was swimming hours earlier. Founded by commercial fishermen in 1972, Malibu Seafood’s outdoor picnic tables offer million-dollar views without the Malibu price tag.
The fish and chips, made with whatever’s freshest that day, consistently ranks among Southern California’s best. Their clam chowder provides perfect comfort on foggy days, while the grilled fish plate satisfies health-conscious locals.
Bring your own wine (no corkage fee!), brave the inevitable line, and savor seafood simplicity that Hollywood celebrities and surfers equally appreciate.
7. Brophy Bros: Santa Barbara’s Harbor Hangout
The clam bar at Brophy Bros offers front-row seats to Santa Barbara’s harbor, where fishing boats unload the catch you’ll soon be enjoying. Since 1986, this upstairs restaurant has perfected the art of casual seafood with a view.
Oyster shooters and bloody marys start many a meal here. The cioppino arrives steaming with local rock crab, while the garlic-baked clams disappear from plates within seconds.
Always packed with a mix of fishermen, tourists, and loyal locals, securing a spot at the coveted window counter requires patience or perfect timing. The restaurant’s motto rings true: “If our seafood were any fresher, it would still be swimming.”
8. Fisherman’s Restaurant: San Clemente Pier Perfection
Built literally on San Clemente Pier, Fisherman’s Restaurant lets you dine with waves crashing beneath your feet. Established in 1976, this Orange County institution serves breakfast through dinner, with locals swearing by their morning crab benedict.
Their clam chowder wins awards yearly, but the cioppino steals the spotlight with its generous portions of crab legs protruding from the bowl. Pelicans and seagulls provide free entertainment through panoramic windows.
The adjacent Oyster Bar serves the same menu in a more casual setting. Either way, timing your meal with sunset creates California dining memories that exemplify why people pay a premium to live near the coast.
9. Scoma’s: Fisherman’s Wharf Institution
Hidden on a tiny street called Al Scoma Way, this San Francisco institution has been serving seafood since 1965. Unlike tourist traps nearby, Scoma’s operates its own fishing boat, ensuring the freshest catch reaches your plate.
Lazy Susan cocktail service begins many memorable meals here. Their “Pier to Plate” program means the petrale sole was likely swimming this morning before being delicately sautéed with capers and lemon.
White-jacketed servers who’ve worked here for decades navigate the bustling dining room with ease. Generations of San Francisco families celebrate special occasions at Scoma’s, where the sourdough bread and bay views come complimentary with every classic seafood dish.
10. The Lobster: Santa Monica Pier’s Crown Jewel
Standing sentinel at the entrance to Santa Monica Pier since 1923, The Lobster transformed from a simple shack to a glass-walled modern restaurant with breathtaking ocean views. The namesake Maine and California spiny lobsters arrive perfectly split and ready for dipping in clarified butter.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Pacific sunset, creating a romantic atmosphere that’s made this a proposal hotspot. The seafood tower presents local oysters, jumbo shrimp, and crab claws on a mountain of ice.
Despite its prime tourist location, locals fill the bar during happy hour for discounted oysters and craft cocktails featuring house-infused spirits.
11. Sam’s Chowder House: Half Moon Bay’s Coastal Classic
Sam’s lobster roll earned fame when the Today Show named it one of the five best sandwiches in America. Overflowing with chunks of Maine lobster lightly dressed with butter, this handheld delight draws pilgrims from across California to this Half Moon Bay landmark.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and a massive deck offer unobstructed ocean views where migrating whales often make appearances. The iced seafood bar features oysters harvested just miles away.
A roaring fire pit on the deck keeps diners warm on foggy evenings. Their mobile Chowder Mobile food truck brings their famous clam chowder and lobster rolls to events throughout the Bay Area.
12. Neptune’s Net: Malibu’s Biker-Friendly Seafood Stop
Featured in countless movies and TV shows, Neptune’s Net has served fresh seafood to surfers, bikers, and celebrities since 1956. This PCH landmark offers two distinct counters – one for fried seafood and another for fresh shellfish and craft beer.
Weekend motorcycle gatherings create a parking lot filled with gleaming Harleys and vintage bikes. The crispy fish and chips pairs perfectly with views of surfers tackling Malibu’s famous County Line break across the highway.
Despite Hollywood fame, prices remain reasonable for massive portions of fried shrimp, clams, and calamari. The steamed lobster special draws locals who know to arrive early before it inevitably sells out.
13. Woodhouse Fish Co.: San Francisco’s Neighborhood Seafood Joint
With two San Francisco locations, Woodhouse Fish Co. brings East Coast seafood traditions to California with a distinctly casual West Coast vibe. Their Tuesday oyster special – $1.50 each all day – creates lines down the block at both the Castro and Fillmore locations.
New England-style lobster rolls come two ways: warm with butter or cold with mayo. The clam chowder arrives in a sourdough bread bowl – a San Francisco twist on an Atlantic classic.
Nautical decor and tight quarters create a cozy atmosphere where you might share a communal table with locals. Their Dungeness crab sandwich on grilled sourdough represents the perfect marriage of East and West Coast seafood traditions.