California’s Best Seafood Restaurants Loved By Locals
California’s coastline stretches over 800 miles, which means endless opportunities for incredible seafood. From tiny oyster shacks to elegant dining rooms, locals have their favorite spots that serve the freshest catches daily.
These restaurants have earned their reputation through years of serving quality food that keeps people coming back. Let me take you on a tour of the seafood joints that Californians actually visit when they want the real deal.
1. Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco
Where else can you find a line snaking down the block at 10 AM for seafood? Swan Oyster Depot has been slinging the freshest shellfish since 1912, and nothing about this place has changed. The marble counter seats maybe 20 people max, and you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with strangers who become friends over cracked crab.
There’s no fancy decor or Instagram-worthy lighting here. Just impeccably fresh oysters, crab louie, and clam chowder that tastes like the ocean decided to give you a hug. The staff moves with practiced efficiency, shucking oysters faster than you can say Kumamoto.
Expect to wait, but it’s worth every single minute.
2. The Crab Cooker, Newport Beach
This spot doesn’t mess around with pretense or fancy plating. The Crab Cooker has been feeding hungry beach crowds since 1951, and their formula is simple: fresh seafood, grilled over mesquite, served on paper plates. You order at the counter, grab your own utensils, and find a seat at the communal tables.
Their grilled swordfish is legendary, charred perfectly with that smoky mesquite flavor that makes you want seconds immediately. The clam chowder comes in a sourdough bread bowl that’s basically edible heaven. Everything tastes better when you’re eating it with sand still on your feet.
Cash only, by the way.
3. Phil’s Fish Market, Moss Landing
However chaotic this place looks from the outside, trust me when I say it’s organized chaos at its finest. Phil’s Fish Market sits right on the harbor where fishing boats unload their daily catches, so you know everything is ridiculously fresh. The cioppino here is basically a religious experience in a bowl.
Locals drive from all over just to grab their famous fish and chips or the garlic roasted crab that’ll make your breath questionable but your taste buds ecstatic. The portions are massive, the prices are reasonable, and the vibe is pure California coastal charm. You can watch sea otters playing in the harbor while you eat.
Bring your appetite and maybe some mints.
4. Hog Island Oyster Co., Marshall
Though many people think of this as just an oyster bar, it’s actually where your oysters are born and raised before landing on your plate.
Hog Island Oyster Co. operates their own oyster farm right on Tomales Bay, which means farm-to-table takes on a whole new meaning. You’re literally eating oysters that were pulled from the water hours ago.
The picnic tables overlook the bay where seals bob around like they own the place. Their barbecued oysters with garlic butter will ruin you for all other oysters forever. You can also reserve a grill and shuck your own if you’re feeling adventurous.
Bring layers because the bay breeze is real.
5. Red’s Eats, Crescent City
Are you ready for a seafood shack that locals guard like a secret treasure? Red’s Eats in Crescent City is tucked away in Northern California, where tourists rarely venture, which means more Dungeness crab for the rest of us. This no-frills spot serves some of the best crab sandwiches you’ll ever wrap your hands around.
The fish tacos are stuffed so full of fresh catch that they barely hold together. Their clam strips are crispy perfection, and the tartar sauce tastes homemade because it probably is. Everything comes out piping hot and absolutely loaded with flavor.
Cash is king here, so hit the ATM first.
6. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, La Jolla
When you need to impress someone or celebrate something fancy, this is where locals actually go instead of those overpriced tourist traps. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood in La Jolla brings elegance without being stuffy, serving impeccably prepared seafood in a sophisticated atmosphere.
Their Chilean sea bass is cooked so perfectly it practically melts on your fork. The raw bar selection changes daily based on what’s freshest, and their lobster tacos are unexpectedly amazing.
Live music fills the dining room most nights, creating an ambiance that feels special without trying too hard. Yes, you’ll spend more here, but the quality justifies every dollar. Make reservations because everyone knows about this gem.
7. Santa Monica Seafood, Santa Monica
Did you know this place started as a tiny fish market in 1939 and now supplies restaurants across Southern California? Santa Monica Seafood is half seafood market, half casual restaurant, and completely awesome. You can buy fresh fish to cook at home or sit down and let their kitchen work magic for you.
Their poke bowls are dangerously addictive, piled high with sushi-grade tuna that tastes like the ocean in the best possible way. The fish and chips use whatever’s freshest that day, which means it changes but it’s always spectacular. Locals stop by for lunch and end up buying fish for dinner too.
The market selection will make home cooks very happy.
8. Bluewater Grill, Long Beach
Hence the name, you’d expect great seafood, and Bluewater Grill absolutely delivers on that promise. Located right on the water in Long Beach, this spot offers stunning harbor views and a menu that changes based on daily catches.
Their mesquite-grilled fish is phenomenal, with that perfect char that adds depth without overpowering the natural flavors.
The oyster selection is impressive, featuring varieties from both coasts. Their swordfish steak is thick, juicy, and cooked exactly how you want it. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between casual and polished, making it ideal for both family dinners and catching up with friends.
Weekend brunch here is seriously underrated.
9. Rappahannock Oyster Bar, San Francisco
However many oysters you think you can eat, double it when you visit Rappahannock Oyster Bar. This Virginia-based oyster company opened their San Francisco location and immediately became a local favorite.
They fly in oysters from their East Coast farms while also featuring incredible West Coast varieties, giving you the best of both worlds. The menu is straightforward but executed flawlessly: oysters, clams, crab, and a few cooked dishes that showcase their seafood expertise.
Their brown butter lobster roll is obscenely good, packed with sweet lobster meat that doesn’t need much else. The space feels modern and energetic without being loud or overwhelming. Happy hour specials make this dangerously affordable.
10. Waterbar, San Francisco
When the view rivals the food, you know you’ve found something special. Waterbar sits directly on the Embarcadero with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing spectacular bay views and the Bay Bridge. Their seafood selection is mind-boggling, with over 100 sustainable species available depending on the season.
The raw bar alone could keep you busy for hours, featuring oysters, clams, and crudo preparations that highlight the fish’s natural flavors. Their whole roasted fish changes daily and arrives at your table looking like edible art.
The staff actually knows their stuff and can guide you through the extensive menu without being pretentious. Sunset reservations book up weeks in advance.
11. Nick’s Lighthouse, Newport Beach
Though it shares a name with a famous San Francisco spot, this Newport Beach jewel stands proudly on its own merits. Nick’s Lighthouse has been a local institution for decades, serving consistently excellent seafood with zero fuss or pretension.
Their crab cakes are loaded with actual crab meat instead of filler, which seems rare these days. The lobster bisque is rich and creamy without being heavy, and their grilled salmon comes out perfectly moist every single time.
Locals appreciate the reliable quality and the fact that prices haven’t skyrocketed like so many coastal restaurants. The nautical decor feels authentic rather than theme-park cheesy. Their early bird specials are legitimately worth it.
12. Moonraker, Sausalito
Are those views even real, or did someone Photoshop the San Francisco skyline to look that perfect? Moonraker in Sausalito offers arguably the best dining views in the entire Bay Area, with panoramic vistas that’ll make you forget to look at your food. Lucky for you, the food demands attention, too.
Their Dungeness crab rolls are simple but absolutely perfect, letting the sweet crab shine. The fish tacos use local catches and come with creative toppings that somehow work together beautifully.
The outdoor deck is where you want to be on sunny days, watching sailboats glide by while you devour fresh oysters. Bring your camera and your appetite equally.
