Seafood Market Near Me in Santa Monica: Santa Monica Seafood Guide

On the sunlit corner of 10th Street and Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, Santa Monica Seafood Market stands as an enduring maritime culinary institution for Los Angeles home cooks and professional chefs. Established in 1939 by brothers John Deluca, Jack Deluca, and Frank Deluca on the historic Santa Monica Pier, this family-rooted enterprise has provided southern California with pristine wild catches for over eight decades. Located at 1000 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, the flagship coastal location combines an expansive refrigerated fishmonger counter with a vibrant raw bar and market cafe. The bright room welcomes visitors with clean ocean aromas, expansive beds of shaved ice displaying dozens of glistening finfish, and aerated live holding tanks containing Atlantic lobsters and local crabs.

The centerpiece of the market is an eighty-foot glass display counter packed with freshly harvested seafood sourced through certified sustainable fishing programs. Shoppers will find whole wild rockfish priced at $14.99 per pound alongside thick fillets of wild Alaskan halibut at $36.99 per pound. Farmed Scottish salmon fillets with rich marbling sell at $24.99 per pound, while glistening fillets of California white sea bass and Pacific swordfish arrive fresh each morning. The knowledgeable staff stands behind the counter to describe catch origins, flavor profiles, and ideal cooking techniques for every species.

For bivalve lovers and shellfish enthusiasts, Santa Monica Seafood Market maintains meticulously managed cold saltwater tanks that safeguard delicate ocean sweetness. Freshly harvested oysters on the half shell are priced at $3.50 each, featuring cold-water varieties such as Kumamoto, Kusshi, and Miyagi alongside robust Atlantic oysters. Live Maine lobsters swim actively in bubbling glass tanks at $24.99 per pound, accompanied by live Manila clams and plump Mediterranean mussels. Market staff will happily pack live shellfish in durable insulated bags lined with crushed ice for secure home transit.

What distinguishes shopping at this Westside seafood landmark is the complimentary custom butchery performed by experienced fishmongers with surgical precision. Customers purchasing whole ocean catches can request specialized preparations, including scaling, gutting, head removal, and pin-bone extraction. The counter crew will expertly butterfly trout for pan-frying, slice sushi-grade ahi tuna into sashimi slabs, or cut uniform salmon portions ready for grilling. They also bundle fish frames and heads upon request, providing home cooks with the perfect base for rich, gelatinous homemade fumet.

Beyond retail raw provisions, Santa Monica Seafood Market operates a popular casual cafe where guests enjoy seafood prepared directly from the retail case. The signature Maine lobster roll served on a toasted buttered brioche bun costs $29.00 and comes brimming with tender claw and knuckle meat. A hearty cup of creamy New England clam chowder costs $9.50, while a generous bowl costs $13.50, loaded with sea clams and diced potatoes. Classic golden fish and chips made with Pacific cod fillets and crisp french fries costs $21.00.

To enjoy the most relaxing market experience, visit between 9:00 am and 11:30 am on weekday mornings when the fishmongers unpack the earliest wholesale deliveries. Weekend afternoons frequently bring lines of eager shoppers drawing paper queue tickets from the red dispenser near the entrance. When evaluating whole finfish, look for clear, domed eyes without cloudiness, bright red gills behind the gill covers, and tight scales adhering firmly to moist skin. Fresh fish should smell cleanly of seawater, and fillets should display translucent flesh that springs back firmly when pressed.

Cooking fresh fish purchased from the market requires gentle heat and simple seasonings that respect the natural flavors of the sea. For wild Alaskan halibut, sear the seasoned fillet in a smoking cast-iron skillet with olive oil for three minutes, then baste with unsalted butter and fresh thyme. Whole rockfish excels when scored diagonally, draped with sliced ginger and scallions, and steamed vigorously in a covered wok for nine minutes. Finish the steamed fish with hot sizzling peanut oil and light soy sauce to achieve restaurant-quality results at home.

Surrounding the chilled fish display are curated retail shelves stocking gourmet pantry goods designed to complete your seafood dinner. Shoppers can select from French sea salts, imported Spanish capers, Japanese panko breadcrumbs, and house-made cocktail sauces crafted with fresh horseradish. The boutique wine section focuses on crisp, high-acid bottles that complement ocean fare, including Chablis, Sancerre, and California coastal chardonnays. High-grade cedar grilling planks and specialty fish poachers are also available for adventurous backyard cooks.

Santa Monica Seafood Market takes exceptional pride in its pioneering role within the sustainable seafood movement across the United States. In partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, the company implements strict responsible sourcing guidelines across all retail display cases. The purchasing team works directly with trusted small-boat hook-and-line fishermen along the California coast, supporting marine conservation and healthy ocean habitats. This dedication ensures that home cooks can prepare magnificent ocean meals while supporting environmentally ethical seafood harvesting.

A visit to Santa Monica Seafood Market pairs naturally with a leisurely walk through the coastal neighborhoods of downtown Santa Monica. Strolling ten blocks west along Wilshire Boulevard brings you directly to the scenic bluff-top pathways of Palisades Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Nearby on 4th Street and the Third Street Promenade, visitors will discover independent coffee roasters, gelato parlors, and sunny outdoor benches. Loading your cooler with fresh catches and taking a short detour to watch the ocean waves provides a delightful Southern California coastal routine.

Santa Monica Seafood Market welcomes shoppers seven days a week at its Santa Monica headquarters. Operating hours run Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. The store features a dedicated rear parking lot accessible from 10th Street, complete with complimentary validated parking for market customers, alongside metered street parking along Wilshire Boulevard.