16 Beloved California Seafood Buffets Serving Endless Coastal Flavor

California’s coastline stretches nearly 900 miles, bringing fresh ocean catches straight to your plate at buffets across the state.

From San Francisco’s iconic Dungeness crab to Southern California’s sushi spreads, these all-you-can-eat spots let you taste the Pacific without limits.

I’ve gathered the best seafood buffets where you can pile your plate high with lobster, crab legs, oysters, and more coastal treasures.

Get ready to explore where Californians go when they’re craving endless seafood and ocean-inspired flavors.

1. Cafe Sierra at Hilton Universal

Upscale hotel dining meets unlimited seafood at this Los Angeles gem where you can eat like royalty without breaking the bank.

You’ll find it at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Los Angeles, CA 91608, inside the Hilton.

Fresh sushi rolls sit alongside steaming lobster dishes while the carving station serves thick slices of prime rib.

The sophisticated atmosphere makes you feel fancy even when you’re going back for your third plate of crab legs.

Live cooking stations let you watch chefs prepare your seafood exactly how you want it.

Families love the variety since picky eaters can find non-seafood options while seafood lovers feast on ocean delights.

Weekend brunch brings champagne and even more premium selections to the already impressive spread.

2. Fishman Buffet

Nothing beats eating fresh Dungeness crab while overlooking the place where fishing boats just brought it in hours earlier.

Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf district near Pier 39 and Jefferson Street.

Sourdough bread bowls overflow with creamy clam chowder that locals have been enjoying for generations.

Seasonal cioppino appears when the catch is best, loaded with mussels, clams, shrimp, and fish in rich tomato broth.

The smell of fresh seafood mixes with salty ocean air as seagulls circle outside the windows.

Street performers and sea lions add entertainment between your trips back to the buffet line.

You’re eating where tourists and San Franciscans both agree the seafood tastes most authentic.

3. Vegas Seafood Buffet

Glendale brings Las Vegas-style excess to California with mountains of king crab legs and lobster tails piled high for your enjoyment.

The restaurant sits at 1050 S Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205, easy to spot by the crowds waiting outside.

Sushi rolls come in every variety you can imagine, from simple California rolls to elaborate specialty creations topped with fresh fish.

The colorful atmosphere buzzes with excitement as families and friends celebrate special occasions over endless seafood.

Hot dishes include garlic butter prawns, grilled salmon, and seafood pasta that complements the cold raw bar selections.

You won’t leave hungry since the staff constantly refills trays to keep everything fresh and plentiful.

Dessert stations offer sweet endings after you’ve conquered the seafood towers.

4. Hokkaido Seafood Buffet

San Jose’s answer to seafood cravings delivers Japanese-inspired buffet spreads that could feed an army of hungry diners.

Find this seafood paradise at 99 S 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113, in the downtown area.

Raw bars glisten with fresh oysters, clams, and mussels on ice, ready for you to slurp down with cocktail sauce or mignonette.

The Mongolian BBQ station lets you create custom stir-fries by choosing your seafood, vegetables, and sauces while chefs cook it on giant griddles.

Tempura shrimp comes out crispy and hot, disappearing from trays almost as fast as staff can replenish them.

Families appreciate the kid-friendly options mixed among the more adventurous seafood choices.

Weekend dinners get crowded, so arriving early means shorter waits and fuller buffet selections.

5. The Crab Cooker

Simple, honest seafood grilled over mesquite wood has kept Newport Beach locals coming back since this place opened decades ago.

You’ll spot it at 2200 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach, CA 92663, marked by the giant crab sign outside.

Grilled swordfish earns legendary status here, with smoky flavors that fancy restaurants try to copy but never quite match.

Clam chowder served in sourdough bread bowls warms you up on foggy coastal days when the ocean breeze chills your bones.

The no-frills atmosphere means you focus on the food instead of fancy decorations or stuffy service.

Paper plates and plastic utensils prove that great seafood doesn’t need expensive presentation to taste amazing.

Lines form during dinner rush, but the wait moves quickly and gives you time to decide what you’ll order.

6. Phil’s Fish Market

Watching fishing boats unload their daily catch right outside your restaurant window guarantees the freshest seafood possible.

Located at 7600 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, where the harbor meets Highway 1.

World-famous cioppino draws visitors from across California who’ve heard about the tomato-based stew packed with tender seafood pieces.

Fish and chips arrive golden brown with flaky white fish inside crunchy batter that stays crispy even with tartar sauce.

The casual market atmosphere lets you browse fresh fish for sale while waiting for your table during busy lunch hours.

Seals and sea otters play in the harbor outside, providing free entertainment between bites of your meal.

Taking home fresh fish from the market counter means you can recreate the experience in your own kitchen.

7. Malibu Seafood

Ocean views come free with every order at this roadside fish market where the Pacific crashes against rocks just steps away.

Pull over at 25653 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, where locals and beach-goers stop for quick seafood fixes.

Fresh fish and chips taste better when you’re eating them at picnic tables overlooking waves and surfers riding the breaks.

The no-frills café style means you order at the counter, grab your number, and wait for someone to call you when food’s ready.

Clam chowder warms cold hands after morning beach walks or afternoon surf sessions in the chilly Pacific waters.

Seagulls circle overhead hoping you’ll drop a fry, but the food’s too good to waste on birds.

Sunset dinners here beat expensive restaurants because the view costs nothing extra.

8. Brophy Bros

Harbor views from the upstairs dining room make you feel like you’re eating on a yacht while staying safely on dry land.

The restaurant perches at 119 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, overlooking boats bobbing in the marina below.

Oyster shooters disappear fast when they arrive at your table, cold and briny with a kick of vodka and cocktail sauce.

Cioppino comes bubbling hot in bowls big enough to share, though you probably won’t want to once you taste it.

Garlic-baked clams fill the air with irresistible aromas that make everyone around you order the same thing.

The casual atmosphere welcomes flip-flops and swimsuit cover-ups since many diners walk over straight from the beach.

Happy hour deals make already reasonable prices even better for early birds who don’t mind eating before sunset.

9. Pechanga Resort Casino

Casino resorts know how to do buffets right, and this Temecula spot proves you don’t need to visit Vegas for endless seafood luxury.

Inside Pechanga Resort Casino at 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592, past the slot machines and gaming tables.

Snow crab legs pile high in iced bins while servers walk around offering to crack them for guests who prefer help.

Sushi chefs roll fresh nigiri and specialty rolls right in front of you, ensuring everything tastes as fresh as possible.

Shrimp cocktail towers compete with oyster bars for attention while you decide which seafood to tackle first.

The carving station balances the seafood with prime rib and turkey for anyone in your group who prefers land-based proteins.

Dessert bars stretch longer than some restaurant menus, offering sweet rewards after your seafood feast.

10. King Buffet

Asian fusion meets California seafood at this all-you-can-eat spot where variety reaches almost overwhelming levels in the best way possible.

Located at 1232 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076, near the shopping centers off Highway 1.

Crawfish appears during peak seasons, piled in spicy Cajun seasonings that leave your fingers messy and your taste buds dancing.

Mussels steam in garlic butter while clams get the same treatment at the hot seafood section that changes daily.

Sushi rolls range from basic to elaborate, with some topped with spicy mayo and others featuring tempura crunch.

The grill station cooks custom orders of fish, shrimp, or scallops with your choice of seasonings and sauces.

Families love that kids eat cheaper while still accessing the same huge selection as adults paying full price.

11. Smuggler’s Cove

Classic American chain restaurants sometimes surprise you with their seafood offerings, especially at California coastal locations.

Multiple locations exist, including 2320 Freedom Boulevard, Watsonville, CA 95076, serving familiar favorites with ocean additions.

The salad bar extends into seafood territory with chilled shrimp, crab salad, and seafood pasta salads mixed among the lettuce.

Grilled salmon and shrimp skewers come from the kitchen while you load up on unlimited trips to the seafood-enhanced salad bar.

Kids recognize the Sizzler name from other visits, making it easier to convince picky eaters to try new seafood options.

Prices stay reasonable compared to fancy seafood restaurants while still delivering quality fish and shellfish.

The combination of hot entrees and cold seafood bar items means everyone finds something they enjoy without compromise.

12. Crazy Buffet

The name perfectly describes the overwhelming selection that greets you when walking through the doors of this San Diego area favorite.

You’ll discover it at 9310 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92123, in a busy shopping area.

Crab legs appear alongside Chinese stir-fries, creating fusion opportunities where East meets West on your plate.

The sushi bar keeps pace with demand as chefs continuously roll fresh pieces throughout lunch and dinner service.

Steamed mussels, baked fish, and garlic prawns rotate through the hot food section depending on what’s freshest that day.

The massive space accommodates large groups celebrating birthdays, graduations, or just random Tuesdays when nobody feels like cooking.

Prices stay competitive even on weekends when the seafood selection expands to include more premium options like oysters.

13. Makino Sushi and Seafood Buffet

Japanese precision meets American buffet abundance at this chain that takes sushi and seafood seriously across multiple California locations.

Orange County location sits at 17230 Edwards Road, Cerritos, CA 90703, drawing crowds from throughout Southern California.

Sashimi-grade tuna and salmon get sliced fresh throughout service, ensuring the fish on your plate was cut minutes ago.

Hot pots bubble with seafood broths where you can cook your own shellfish and fish slices at your table.

The selection changes seasonally to feature whatever’s swimming in Pacific waters during different times of year.

Premium nights add lobster and king crab to the already impressive everyday offerings for just a few dollars more.

Reservations help during weekend dinner rushes when wait times can stretch past an hour for walk-ins.

14. Oyster Point Yacht Club Sunday Brunch

Yacht clubs aren’t just for members when Sunday brunch opens the seafood buffet to public diners seeking waterfront elegance.

Situated at 911 Marina Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080, where boats dock right outside the dining room windows.

Champagne flows freely during brunch service while you pile plates with crab claws, smoked salmon, and oysters on the half shell.

The upscale setting makes you feel fancy even if you drove up in your regular car instead of arriving by boat.

Omelets get made to order with seafood additions like bay shrimp, crab, or smoked salmon mixed into fluffy eggs.

Reservations become necessary during holidays when families book tables weeks in advance for special celebrations.

The combination of breakfast classics and seafood buffet items means brunch fans and seafood lovers both leave satisfied.

15. Pismo’s Coastal Grill Seafood Buffet Nights

Central Coast charm shines through at special buffet events when this restaurant transforms into all-you-can-eat seafood heaven.

Located at 891 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, walking distance from the famous pier and beach.

Local catches dominate the buffet spread, with rockfish, sand dabs, and other species that swim right offshore.

Clam chowder flows from giant tureens, offering the creamy soup that California’s Central Coast perfected over generations.

The casual beach-town vibe means you can wear flip-flops and shorts without feeling underdressed among other diners.

Seasonal schedules mean checking ahead to find out when the next seafood buffet night happens, as they’re not weekly.

Early arrival ensures you get the freshest selections before crowds descend during peak tourist season summer months.

16. Harbor House Cafe Weekend Seafood Spreads

Sunset Harbor’s best-kept secret happens on weekends when this breakfast-famous cafe adds seafood buffet options to their regular menu.

The cafe operates at 331 Poli Street, Ventura, CA 93001, near the harbor where fishing boats unload their catches.

Breakfast meets seafood as smoked salmon appears on bagel bars while shrimp and crab enhance omelet station offerings.

The relaxed harbor atmosphere welcomes everyone from fishermen finishing overnight trips to families starting weekend beach adventures.

Coffee flows endlessly while you make multiple trips to sample both traditional breakfast items and seafood additions.

Locals know to arrive before 10 AM on Saturdays when the seafood gets replenished most frequently and crowds stay manageable.

The affordable prices shock visitors used to paying tourist rates at other Ventura Harbor restaurants nearby.