It’s not entirely a secret that the Pillar Point Harbor is a true California gem. An enticing salty breeze, calling seagulls and bobbing harbor seals welcome locals and visitors who flock to experience its charm. Some call it quaint and unassuming; others see it as convenient yet just enough off the beaten path. It’s where a community of fisherfolk, restaurateurs, locals, tourists, sea life and the Pacific waters converge amid the hum of Highway 1 to make a neighborhood of its own—teeming with life.
From small-scale anglers to local charters and large-scale commercial operations that distribute across the world—it all happens here, in the picturesque nook of Half Moon Bay, just 30 miles south of San Francisco.
For those looking to buy seafood as fresh as it gets, Saturday mornings are the best time to visit. Fisherfolk sell their fresh catch directly off their boats. From rockfish, halibut and lingcod to sea urchin, Dungeness crab and black cod, there’s a taste for every palate. While they are not permitted to process fish at the docks, local “party boats” and fish markets like the Pelagic Fish Market and Grill can gut, clean and fillet your haul for a fee.
For those who prefer the thrill of the catch, charters are an exceptionally immersive way to confront the element —both for those who have never touched a fishing pole and for seasoned pros who prefer the plug-and-play way.
Captain Melynda Dodds, of New Captain Pete Sportfishing, is one of many local owners who started fishing when they were young and wanted to provide the same exhilarating feeling for others. “When you go fishing with us, it’s like going to a farmers market, but you’re also getting the roller coaster ride. It’s kind of like adventure groceries,” Dodds says.
With large-scale charters like hers, you get to pluck your protein directly from the water. In the winter, Dungeness crab is the star of the show. Charter boat operations are not nearly as intensive as commercial fishing, so crab season opens sooner for them and those who are along for the ride get the first and best catch of the season. With whales migrating from Alaska to Mexico through the early winter, regulations help time the fishing season to provide as minimal a disturbance to their journey as possible.
The crews on the charters are teachers of the ocean, helping people understand the ways of the waters and the rules of the land.
“When you think about fishing, some people are intimidated because it is gear intensive. But the charter boats—large- and small-scale—are a great launching point to get started or build on years of knowledge. People love it so much, they get recharged by nature, and sometimes they even end up being a grocer for their friends as they come home with plenty of fish to go around,” says Captain Dodds.
For those looking for smaller, more intimate experiences (though slightly pricier) small-scale local charters like Wild Wes Sportfishing are yet another way to feast on the ocean’s allure.
Wes Langell started as a deckhand out of Bodega Bay at age 17. When he got the opportunity to buy a boat seven years later in 2022, he started operating charters. Since Pillar Point Harbor was his favorite place to fish as a kid with his dad, it naturally became home base for his operations—proximity to San Francisco and easy parking for better access were the cherries on top.
“Plus, there’s no place on the Coast where you can catch as many different species and as high quality of the fish as there is in Half Moon Bay,” he says. “The range is incredible.”
With novice and experienced clients ranging from ages 4 to 80, Wes’s six-person boat has a takeaway for everyone.
“One of my favorite things to see when we’re fishing, and why I’ve stayed on the charter instead of going commercial, is watching kids and adults catch their first fish. Some adults try for years to get a specific fish or size. It’s pure joy in their face. It’s a different feeling when you see someone do it for the first time. They’re hooked.” Charter fishing is more than just a pastime; it’s a way of life—a unique experience that Silicon Valley has right in its backyard, helping anyone experience the special smile that only comes from a fresh catch. It starts with a tug on the line and a story to be told for years.
