Fish Markets
Fresh, mostly local seafood sold at the end of Harford Pier.
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- Market
- Harford Seafood Company
- Where
- End of Harford Pier, Port San Luis
- What they sell
- Crab, salmon, halibut, shrimp, live fish
- Before you go
- Hours vary, so call or check locally
Port San Luis is still a working harbor, and the best place to buy fish in Avila is out at the end of Harford Pier. If you're renting a house with a kitchen or camping with a grill, this is where to stock up.
Harford Seafood Company
Harford Seafood Company opened in May 2022 in the old Olde Port Inn space at the end of Harford Pier. The market sells crab, salmon, halibut and shrimp, and they'll pull a live fish from the tank and fillet it while you wait.
When it opened, the market told KSBY that about 70% of what it sells comes from local sources, and that it only buys from suppliers with a green rating from the Monterey Bay sustainability program.
Where: End of Harford Pier, Port San Luis, Avila Beach
We couldn't find a current official website or hours, so check locally before you make a special trip.
Getting there
Harford Pier is at Port San Luis, past downtown Avila on Avila Beach Drive. The Harford Pier & Port San Luis page covers parking and what else is out on the pier. The Avila Beach Pier in town is mostly closed for repairs, so Harford Pier is the one to visit for now.
Making a day of it
A trip to the fish market fits well with a morning on the water. You can:
- Walk the pier and watch the fishing boats come and go.
- Eat seafood cooked for you at Mersea's, out on the same pier.
- Grab breakfast or a burger at Fat Cats Cafe at the base of the pier.
- Go fishing yourself. The public piers don't require a fishing license.
Cooking your catch
If you're staying in a vacation rental or at a campground, pick up the rest of dinner at Avila Market on Front Street or Woodstone Marketplace in the valley. The Groceries & Picnic Supplies page has the details.
Local tips
- Bring a cooler with ice if you're driving home with fish.
- Ask them to pull a fish from the live tank and fillet it for you.
- Pair the trip with lunch at Mersea's or breakfast at Fat Cats Cafe on the same pier.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fish market in Avila Beach?
Yes. Harford Seafood Company sells fresh seafood at the end of Harford Pier in Port San Luis.
Is the seafood local?
When it opened in 2022, the market said about 70% of its products were sourced locally, from suppliers rated green by Monterey Bay's sustainability program.
What happened to Olde Port Fish?
Olde Port Fish & Seafood moved its market and grill to Arroyo Grande. Harford Seafood Company now runs the market on Harford Pier.
Do I need a license to fish from Harford Pier?
No. Port San Luis says you can fish from its public piers without a license. Surf fishing from the beach does need one.
