Fresh Crab & Fish for Sale

The heart of fresh seafood at the Wharf isn’t in a single market—it’s right on the docks! 

Pier 45 and Pier 47 are where you can buy fresh crab and fish for sale right from the source.

As renowned piers in the Embarcadero Historic District, Pier 45 and Pier 47 are hot spots for freshly caught seasonal catches sold within hours of being pulled from the Pacific. 

Here’s how to find Pier 45 at the Wharf.

Here’s how to find Pier 47 at the Wharf (Scoma's Restaurant is a hot spot on Pier 47; so, use that as your "North Star" if it's your first time visiting the area).

Crab season in San Francisco typically runs from November through June, and the highly anticipated Dungeness crab season usually kicks off in mid-to-late November.

With that:

• The exact start date of crab season in San Francisco can vary due to weather, marine life protections, or regulatory delays. So, it’s always good to check for updates. 
   
• The peak season for local, fresh Dungeness crab is generally from November to February. During these four months, Dungeness crab tend to be at their largest and sweetest. 

Outside of crab, several other fresh catches are available for off-the-boat fish sales at the Wharf, with the options varying by season.

To check what’s in season right now:

1. Click here.
2. Look for the green dots that indicate a specific type of fish or crab is in season (red means out of season).

Pier 45 and Pier 47 are where all off-the-boat fish and crab sales happen at the Wharf.

In fact, they’ve been local favorites for fresh fish and crab in San Francisco for 100+ years.

Unlike brick-and-mortar fish markets:

1. There aren’t daily hours of operation at every slip.
2. The hours that fresh fish and crab sales happen can depend on when vessels return to the docks.

That’s why it’s important to know how to buy fresh fish and crab off the boat (see below for more details). 

When you’re in the City, here’s what it takes to buy fish off the boat in San Francisco:

1. Come prepared: Have cash on you, as most fishermen deal in cash only. Also, bring an ice-filled cooler or an insulated bag to put your crab and/or fish in until you get home.  
2. Head to the Wharf: Make your way to Pier 45 or Pier 47 where Permitted Vessels sell fresh fish and crab straight from the dock. Due to the terms of permitting, all fish and crab sales will occur directly from the vessel.
3. Look for signs or ask around: Fishermen often post signs indicating what's available and how much it costs. You can also walk the dock and ask about the day’s fresh catch.  
4. Arrive early for the best selection: Fresh seafood is first come, first serve, and the best catches can sell out quickly.  

4 Tips for a Great Experience  

To enjoy the best possible experience whenever you’re buying fresh crab or fish off the boat at the Wharf: 

1. Be flexible: Availability depends on the daily catch, and options vary in size. So, come with a backup plan if you have your heart set on something and you have not made reservations ahead of time. 
2. Make reservations: Some fishermen allow you to reserve fresh crab and fresh fish for purchase, as long as you reach out ahead of time (see the question just below for details on how to make reservations for fresh crab and fresh fish for sale at the Wharf).
3. Support permitted fishermen: Only buy from Permitted Vessels to make sure you’re getting fish and crab that has been properly handled.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations: If you’re not sure how to prepare certain fish or you’re looking for pro tips on handling, cleaning, or storing fish or crab, simply ask the fishermen if it’s not busy. Many are happy to share recommendations, advice, and a chat with friendly customers!
5. Enjoy yourself: Buying seafood off the boat isn’t just a transaction—it’s a chance to connect with San Francisco’s historic fishing industry and take home some of the freshest seafood in the City.  

Whether you're a local looking for the freshest ingredients or a visitor eager to take home a piece of the Wharf, these off-boat sales can be the perfect way to get local seafood straight from the source.

Yes! Reserving fresh fish and crab off the boat can be the best way to guarantee the catch you want is set aside, so it’s not sold before you get there! 

Many local fishermen at Pier 45 and Pier 47: 

• Take pre-orders for what they’ll be selling.
• Let you reserve the fresh fish and fresh crab you’d like to buy.
• Announce reservations and how to make them on social media. 

To reserve off-the-boat fish and fresh crab for sale in advance:  

• Follow local fishermen on social media: Many post their catch and availability on their social media pages. To start following sales of fresh fish and crab at the Wharf, click here for the off-the-boat fish sales Facebook page and here for Instagram.  
• Send a message to start your reservation: Comment on posts with what you’d like and when you’ll arrive to pick it up. Alternatively, some posts may instruct you to direct message (DM) the fishermen to request a reservation.  
• Wait for a Reply: You’ll receive a reply to your comment or your DM once your reservation has been confirmed.
• Pay when you pick up your order: Bring cash to cover the cost of the fish you’ve ordered. 

It varies by fisherman and boat. So, yes, it is possible to buy gutted and gilled fresh catch fish at the Wharf. But not all off-the-boat fish will be automatically cleaned before purchase. 

With that in mind, if you’re looking for off-the-boat fish that are cleaned, gutted, and gilled, simply ask the fisherman, either: 

1. Ahead of time online, like when you’re reaching out to reserve an order
2. In person, at the Wharf

Often, fishermen at the Wharf who don’t clean fish can usually point you in the direction of another option that does.

No. At the Wharf, fresh-off-the-boat fish and crab are only sold whole, not in portions or fillets. 

If you’re looking for specific portions or help breaking down fish: 

• Ask the fisherman for pro tips if you’re up for trying the breakdown yourself.
• Look for a local fishmonger who can portion it for you. 

Year-round, you can buy off-the-boat fish, but: 

• What’s available varies by month or season
• Fishermen may not be at the docks every day selling fresh fish and crab.

The table below shows what type of fresh fish and crab you can get at the Wharf during different times of the year. This is not an end-all-be-all list of the crab and fish options that may be available. So, it’s best to follow local fishermen on social media to stay in the know about what’s available.
 

Fresh fish and crab for sale at the Wharf are priced by the pound. Prices vary by species, season, and daily catch. 

Please be aware that: 

• Some fishermen will post pricing on social media.
• Specific pricing for fish is not always available in advance, as it fluctuates based on availability and market conditions.
• When you arrive to buy fresh fish or crab off the boat at the Wharf, current prices will usually be posted on visible signs.
• If you reserve off-the-boat fish or crab, you may not be quoted a specific price upfront. However, you can usually estimate costs based on the poundage you’ve reserved and the latest rates posted by fishermen.

By purchasing directly from the source, you not only get the chance to enjoy the freshest seafood, but you can also support San Francisco's local fishermen and historic fishing community.
 

In addition to following local fishermen on social media, you can download the FISHline app (here) for up-to-date information about when and where local fishermen will be selling off-the-boat crab and fish.

Some fishermen may also announce upcoming sales via email, text groups, or other means, so it’s never a bad idea to ask them about these options when you’re buying fresh catch seafood.

Parking may be limited, depending on when you’re at the Wharf, but there are parking lots near Piers 45 and 47. 

Here are some of the best places to park:  

• Pier 45 Parking Lot (300 Francisco St.): This is the closest parking to the docks.  
• The Wharf Parking Lot (350 Beach St.): This is just a short walk from the waterfront.  
• Ghirardelli Square Parking Garage (900 North Point St.): If you want to fold seafood shopping into other Wharf activities, this can be an ideal option. 
• Metered Street Parking: This may be available along Jefferson St. and nearby streets, but it tends to be extremely limited, especially on weekends. 

Do not use the Scoma's restaurant parking. Some more helpful tips for first-timers are to:

• Check for events ahead of time. Parking fills up quickly during festivals and busy weekends.  
• Lock your vehicle and don’t leave any valuables in it.
• If you’re bringing a cooler, consider one with wheels for the ultimate convenience.