11 Coastal Eats With Seafood and Views Along California’s Highway 1

California’s Highway 1 offers one of America’s most breathtaking coastal drives, with the Pacific Ocean’s blue vastness stretching alongside dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches. What makes this journey even more memorable? The incredible seafood spots where you can feast on ocean-fresh delicacies while soaking in those million-dollar views. As someone who’s eaten my way up and down this iconic route countless times, I’m sharing my absolute favorite places to enjoy the perfect pairing of seafood and scenery.

1. Sam’s Chowder House (Half Moon Bay)

Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, Sam’s lobster roll has been named one of the best in America by the Today Show; and they weren’t exaggerating! The buttery, perfectly toasted roll cradles chunks of sweet lobster meat that taste like they jumped from ocean to plate.

On foggy days, the restaurant’s cozy fireplace creates the perfect backdrop for slurping their famous clam chowder. I always snag a seat on the expansive deck where harbor seals occasionally pop up to say hello while you’re mid-bite into your seafood platter.

2. Splash Café (Pismo Beach)

Lines form around the block at this unassuming little shack; and for good reason! Their award-winning clam chowder served in a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl is practically a California coastal institution. The creamy, butter-rich soup stays piping hot inside its edible vessel.

Family-owned since 1989, Splash has that perfect beach-town vibe with colorful murals and the constant soundtrack of crashing waves just steps away. After devouring your chowder, take your dessert (their homemade brownies are insane) for a walk along Pismo’s gorgeous shoreline.

3. Neptune’s Net (Malibu)

Made famous by countless movies and TV shows, this roadside seafood shack sits at the edge of Malibu’s stunning coastline where motorcyclists, surfers, and celebrities mingle over paper trays of fried goodness. The setup is refreshingly simple; order at the counter, grab a picnic table, and feast!

Their crispy fish and chips pairs perfectly with ice-cold beer while watching surfers tackle the waves at County Line Beach across the street. My insider tip: skip the weekend crowds and come on a weekday afternoon when you can linger over your steamed clams without feeling rushed.

4. Pacific Coast Grill (Cardiff-by-the-Sea)

Literally steps from the crashing waves, Pacific Coast Grill offers the closest beachfront dining experience in San Diego County. The two-story restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the ocean like a living painting; I’ve spotted dolphins mid-meal more than once!

Their lobster-stuffed avocado changed my life, no exaggeration. Arrive for happy hour to score discounted oysters while watching surfers at Cardiff Reef. The sunset transforms the space into a golden-hued dream, making even their water glasses look Instagram-worthy.

5. The Deck on Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach)

Barefoot luxury defines this gorgeous spot where you can wiggle your toes in the sand while sipping champagne and cracking into perfectly grilled lobster. The restaurant sits directly on the beach; not near it, ON it, making it the ultimate Southern California dining fantasy come true.

Seagulls provide the soundtrack alongside gentle waves, while string lights twinkle overhead once the sun sets. Their seafood tower makes for a spectacular centerpiece, piled high with oysters, crab claws, and jumbo shrimp. Come during whale migration season for the chance to spot magnificent creatures breaching while you dine!

6. Mersea’s (Port San Luis / Avila Beach)

Built from repurposed shipping containers on the working Harford Pier, Mersea’s offers the rare chance to dine literally above the water. Fishing boats unload their daily catch just feet from your table; it doesn’t get fresher!

Sea lions bark beneath the wooden planks as you dive into their famous fish tacos topped with pineapple salsa. The restaurant’s industrial-chic vibe perfectly complements the rugged harbor surroundings. For the ultimate experience, time your visit during golden hour when the sun sets behind Avila Beach, painting everything in warm amber light.

7. Schooners (Cayucos)

This hidden gem in sleepy Cayucos captures the essence of laid-back Central Coast living. From the weathered wooden deck, I’ve watched otters playing in the kelp beds while demolishing their legendary calamari; tender inside with the perfect crispy coating.

The restaurant feels like a coastal home with nautical touches and windows framing the historic Cayucos pier. Their cioppino brims with local rock cod, mussels, and Dungeness crab in a garlicky tomato broth that I dream about regularly. Friendly servers who know the regulars by name add to the warm, community vibe that keeps me coming back.

8. Sea Chest Oyster Bar (Cambria)

Cash only, no reservations, and absolutely worth the wait; this Cambria institution has been serving the freshest oysters since 1975. The old-school charm begins with the building itself, a converted 1940s seaside cottage perched above Moonstone Beach.

Watching your dinner being prepared at the open oyster bar adds theatrical flair to the experience. Their Oysters Rockefeller, bubbling with spinach and hollandaise, pairs beautifully with the complimentary sourdough and local wines. Arrive early to put your name on the list, then stroll along Moonstone Beach collecting colorful stones until your table is ready.

9. The Marshall Store (Marshall, Tomales Bay)

Rustic doesn’t begin to describe this beloved oyster shack on Tomales Bay’s eastern shore. Weathered wooden picnic tables line the deck where you’ll feast on oysters prepared five different ways; my heart belongs to the ones topped with chorizo butter.

The Marshall Store embodies NorCal’s farm-to-table ethos; they literally farm the oysters in the waters directly in front of the restaurant! Their smoked fish platter makes for the perfect shareable feast. Bring your own wine (no corkage fee!) and settle in for leisurely grazing while watching the oyster farmers tend their beds just offshore.

10. Nepenthe (Big Sur)

Perched 800 feet above the Pacific on Big Sur’s dramatic cliffs, Nepenthe offers what might be California’s most spectacular dining view. The restaurant’s history feels magical; Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth once owned the property before it became a bohemian haven in the 1950s.

Their legendary Ambrosia Burger somehow tastes better when eaten while gazing at the endless blue horizon. Hawks soar at eye level as you sip local wines on the expansive terrace. Though slightly pricier than other spots on this list, you’re paying for that million-dollar vista that has inspired artists and writers for generations.

11. Harbor House Inn (Elk, Mendocino Coast)

For a truly special splurge, this Michelin-starred restaurant in tiny Elk delivers culinary magic alongside breathtaking ocean panoramas. Chef Matthew Kammerer forages seaweed from the coves below the restaurant and transforms it into delicate, mind-blowing dishes.

The historic building dates to 1916 and features a stunning garden terrace where each plate arrives like an edible work of art. Their tasting menu changes constantly but always showcases hyperlocal ingredients from within 50 miles. Watching the fog roll in across the rugged Mendocino coastline while savoring their abalone dish creates one of those perfect life moments you’ll remember forever.