Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Pillar Point Harbor

    4.4 (124 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

    Pillar Point Harbor Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Pillar Point Harbor

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    2 lb Alaskan Coho Salmon
    Renée M.

    Went specifically to buy Dungeness Crabs since they are at their peak and the season started late because of restrictions. My brother has an app that follows what boats are open and offering crabs. He bought crabs there last year. It was a short drive over the hill and a beautiful Saturday. We were able to find parking in the lot by the restaurants and harbor plus it was free. We walked over to the first boat to ask how much the crabs were per pound. They were $10/lb and $8/lb if missing a claw. He showed us some crabs and we said we'd come down. There were several boats out there with Crabs signs as well as Ling Cod signs. We talked to the gentleman whose boat is called "Drake". He weighed out 3 for us and put them in a plastic bag. I asked how far he goes out and he said 20 miles. When he first started a few weeks ago, crabs were 20+ per basket. Now it's down to 5-8/basket. He said he'll still come out to sell crabs. My brother had a thicker plastic bag that he put the crabs in and put it in the cooler in the car so we could check out the other boats. We were looking for Salmon and found another boat that was selling flash-frozen Alaskan Coho Salmon. There were a few men on the boat answering my questions and making suggestions on how to cook the fish. The fish is caught in Alaska, flash frozen then I believe the gentleman said dipped in the ocean water(?) to create a glaze to preserve the fish further as it's stored in the cooler. When you flash-freeze the fish, any parasites will die. You can safely eat the fish as Sashimi or cooked and when cooked, watch the fish as it's so tender, it doesn't need a lengthy amount of time. He suggested pan-frying so we did just that with the fillets after thawing the whole fish in the cooler full of ice for 2 days. We had cut the fish into fillets and finished them with a Teriyaki/Mirin glaze and Baby Bok Choy on the side. It was so tender and soft and the meat was such a deep orange! What a superior variety! Oh and our fish was about 2 pounds@$20/lb. It was so worth it for the quality and amount as we had enough for another meal! I asked for the name of the boats and they said look for New Day and Dream Catcher. Took a photo of the phone number in case we have questions. When we got home we cooked the Dungeness Crabs and the meat was so fresh, tender and flavorful. Definitely a treat!!

    Noel B.

    There's a fish market, a few beaches/jetties for fishing, piers, and some good restaurants around! One thing I don't enjoy about going here is parking and waits for restaurants could be bad on the weekends. There are portapotties. The establishments have bathrooms though. Things you'd see here: People SUPaddling in the marina, and people surfing outside. Anglers and crabbers on the jetties. Sea lions floating around. Some small tide pools visible during low tide. Local fishermen selling their catch at a discount.

    Beautiful views from the harbor
    Shayla B.

    Morning views of the beautiful Pillar Point Harbor are nothing short of amazing. It's also the best time to check out the pier before the regular crowds swarm in. Although not as touristy as other parts of HMB, Pillar Point is an excellent place to explore while visiting the area. The Johnson Pier is extremely popular when it comes to purchasing fresh seafood, specifically Dungeness crab. You can walk up to the boats on the pier and buy their fresh catches for the day. On the other side of the harbor, there's a nice little walking trail and picnic areas. There's also a few shops and restaurants to check out. You'll find people fishing and boating nearby. There's tons of parking but it does tend to fill up during peak season. The walking trail hugs the harbor and passes by several local beaches. It's a beautiful coastal stroll if you're up for it. The harbor is a nice way to spend your day, especially during the summer when the weather is ideal.

    Boat leaving the pier
    Lynnelle E.

    It was my first time going here. I went here because the news had shown that boats were selling their catch of fresh Dungeness crabs. I've driven by before to go to local restaurants, but this time, i actually parked at the pier and stopped and asked someone where we could buy crab. He was a little grumpy, but he said you better catch them before they leave. I walked up, and the people were super friendly and helped me before they left. This boat was from Seattle, I believe. We went to another one, but it seemed their fish were frozen like a rock. They had a big banner on the boat that they had tuna, salmon, etc. The last one we went to was funny. It was the lady's first time handling crab and selling them. She said she was helping her friends who went back out to catch some more. She was so terrified of the crabs and getting pinched. The crabs they were selling were the cheapest but not as big as the first one's I bought. This one is the first one you see when you enter the pier on your left hand side with a flag of crabs for sale. The view was so pretty and a first for me to see an active pier.

    Beautiful place to drive and walk!
    Al S.

    Pillar Point harbor was originally formed to build a harbor at Redwood City, but the Great Depression intervened. Coastsiders then pushed to get a breakwater built at Pillar Point for a harbor of refuge for the fishing fleet. The Army Corps of Engineers began work on this breakwater after World War II and finally completed it in 1961. This is a little history from Google but let me tell you why this place has special meaning for me. I spent the first two nights when I was married to my wife Valerie February 6, 1981. It rained on that day but we walked the pier and enjoyed our time talking to people having sourdough bread with clam chowder and watching the ocean. All of the fishermen and the people who work the docks will talk to you and it is a nice walk with shops and all the texture of an early reflection from Steinbeck about our California Coast. I highly recommend that you make a day of it and come visit this enchanted harbor where you can make memories.

    Daniel W.

    A must place to take your morning stroll to help you center your thoughts with good intentions! Lots of great views, plenty of parking, and great harbor themed decor that makes you feel like you're in a movie. Very dog friendly, and even a water dish for the pups.

    Peaceful Serenity!
    Thia L.

    Some of my favorite places to go eat here at Pilllar Point Harbor are Barbara FishTraps, Miramar Beach Restaurant, Flying Fish Bar and Grill, Harbor Bar, Half and Moon Bay Brewing Company. Plenty of Delicious Seafood Options! My Normal go to is the Classic Seafood Ciopino. Gorgeous View overlooking the water! Miramar Beach Restaurant is probably one of favorite place to dine here in Half Moon Bay. Fresh Caught are also sold here on this Harbor. Gorgeous Sunshines, Breathtaking Sunsets, Beautiful Atmospheres, scenic Coastal Views, And Delightful Seafood Restaurants are among some of the main reasons why we keeps coming back to this Pillar apoint Harbor!

    Michael N.

    Due to the sudden lighting early in the morning, original plan was going to Pacifica pier. Unfortunately, it was closed so we had to find another location for fishing/crabbing. My brother was able to find this place and glad that it was open or else we had to reschedule. Luckily there was an open space at the pier. We were able to catch some fishes, but not able to catch any crabs. If you're hungry, they have many delicious seafood restaurants nearby.

    Dennis R.

    Came in for some fishing and fresh air recently! We came on a weekday, so there was plenty of parking. I've been here on weekends before, albeit this was pre-Covid, and it was super hard to park. I'm curious to see how packed this place gets on weekends these days. Anyway, on to the fishing! My brother and I first started on Johnson Pier, on the left side. The water is pretty shallow, and all we saw were some little minnows, so we ended fairly quickly. We walked across the parking lot to the other pier, and actually had some nibbles and bites. There were plenty of jack smelt in the water. Didn't land any with my big swim baits. I'm looking for rock fish! Lol. Finally, we decided to drive a quarter mile down the main road and try the jetty. We started the trek on the jetty (this can be a little treacherous) and stopped maybe 100 yards in. Got some bites, but didn't land any fish! Your chances are way better here than the pier in my opinion. Although we didn't catch anything, it was good to be out and get some fresh air! If you don't fish, there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy here! Walking, biking, and kayaking is big here as well.

    Several boats, I choose this boat.
    Mr B.

    5 crabs, $90.00, went early, no line. Drive home and cook for tonight. The lady said they pulled the crab pots at night.

    Rock crab on steroids!
    Klay P.

    Came to Pillar point on Christmas day in hopes of catching some crab. Pacifica pier was close due to high swell so Pillar was plan B. Got here around 10am and it was already pack. The pier itself for crabbing is very small but the fishermen's and Ladies were all very welcoming. Meet a few group of guys that hook me up with some squid and chicken for crab bait. Got one Huge Rock crab, was hoping to catch some dungeness but only caught baby ones. Overall the weather was nice, cool people and a clean spot.

    Esther G.

    Beautiful Sunday ,went to pillar point in half moon bay Bought fish from the boat , 4 dollars a lb Fish men told I have 5lbs plus Charged me 21.00 Got home, weight it only got 2.47lbs

    Good current signage
    Frank A.

    WARNING: Little boat ramps are well laid out but there's a large amount of algae making it extremely slippery loading and unloading boats the rest of the festivities very efficient. This is an average Harbor well-located and available to the General Public. There seems to be quite a number of locals as well as tourists visiting and exploring the beach and Harbor area. That Saturday we were there it was 30%. To 2 p.m. so it doesn't seem to be a big popular location.

    View from our area.

    See all

    17 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 4 of 4

    Ask the Community - Pillar Point Harbor

    On what days can you find fishermen selling fresh catch off the boat?

    Call the Fish Line (650) 726-4382 #3 Or come down to the Harbor and look at the white board in front of the Harbormaster's Office. The fishermen put what they are selling on… 

    How is fishing here?

    I don't fish (yet) but we can easily see that recreational fishing thrives here along the harbor shoreline, from the beaches, fishing pier, breakwaters, and lots of kayak and small boat fishing right inside or just outside the harbor. We even saw… 

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Pillar Point Harbor

    We met someone in Pacifica and he recommended this pier to be the best place to buy fresh crabs for less dough.

    Mentioned in 19 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Rafting/Kayaking 185 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Half Moon Bay Kayak - The flower field in front of half moon bay kayak

    Half Moon Bay Kayak

    4.4(303 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I rented 1-hour paddle board sessions twice last week and had wonderful experiences both times…read more My first time here was a solo rental at 9 am on a Monday morning and I arrived right when they opened. The girl working there, Ava was friendly and helpful. She gave me tips on where to paddle and what to look out for. She also helped me with my PFD and launch into the water. There were tons of ocean birds flying around and large fishing boats were out too. There were only a couple of other people out kayaking, but they were polite and greeted me as they paddled by. I ended up staying closer to the docks and had a peaceful time just observing everything. The 2nd time I came here with a group on a Saturday at 10. Ava was here again and remembered me. She along with the 2 other staff members were patient with us because we took a while to arrive and get started. We finally launched into the water and we made it further out closer to Pillar Point. The birds didn't seem as active this time, but there were more harbor seals which swam right underneath our boards. There were also sea lions which swam close to us and seemed to say "hello." Afterwards, you can hose off and clean your own paddle boards near their picnic tables. They also have changing rooms and shelves to store your clothes. I would definitely recommend Half Moon Bay Kayak for paddling. It's such a good vibe in this area. There's plenty of parking and a clean public restroom close by. Sam's Chowder House is within walking distance. The staff is attentive and accommodating and the whole rental process is easy and affordable. I can't wait to come back!

    Chris the owner is awesome. Gave us easy to understand instructions and helped us fit the right…read moregear. $30 person/per hour then $10 every 10 min after. 1.5hours was $90 plus we left a 20% tip, because Chris was great!

    Photos
    Half Moon Bay Kayak
    Half Moon Bay Kayak - Kayaking in the harbor!

    Kayaking in the harbor!

    Half Moon Bay Kayak - Towing and paddling for 3.

    See all

    Towing and paddling for 3.

    Eskape Sea Kayaking - Learning T-rescue in the shallows.

    Eskape Sea Kayaking

    5.0(7 reviews)
    46.7 mi

    I took my first lesson with Eskape Sea Kayaking (ESK) back in 1999. I was hooked and have been…read moreexpanding my kayaking skills ever since, mainly under the tutelage of the instructors of ESK. Roger, the owner, is not only a great teacher, he is an amazing coach. He keeps his class sizes small so that he can give each person individual attention. Both in receiving lessons and watching him teach others, it always impresses me how much Roger tunes into the nuances and needs of each person in the class. The staff ESK brings in to help with the classes always mirrors that style as well. Roger, Tom, Bryan, Gregg and the rest are some of the best paddlers on the West Coast. Whether you want to just learn the basics or go out and take on the big waves, this is the place to go.

    What Yoda is to The Force, Roger Schumann is to kayaking. If your future kayaking plans involve…read moreanything more then calm fair-weather kayaking on a pond, Roger's instruction will be invaluable. Roger will taylor classes to your skill level and comfort. We spent four consecutive days with Roger and left far more competent and safe than when we arrived. The classes are reasonably priced and you could not ask for a more beautiful location. We saw Sea Otters, dolphins and birds beyond count. We could not have been happier!!! http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g33048-r317079943-Santa_Cruz_California.html#

    Photos
    Eskape Sea Kayaking - Sea Cave class in Mendocino.

    See all

    Sea Cave class in Mendocino.

    Oceanic Society Whale Watching - The Puffin!

    Oceanic Society Whale Watching

    3.3(66 reviews)
    32.2 mi

    This was our first time going on a whale-watching tour & we were fortunate enough to see 17 whales!…read moreThis was an amazing adventure & the crew (Captain, & 2 awesome naturalists) made the experience of traveling to the Farallon Islands worth every penny. I highly recommend the whale-watching tour with Oceanic Society, aboard the Salty Lady. The experience began near Ft. Mason, and we soon passed directly under the GG Bridge. It wasn't more than 45 minutes later before was saw our first whale & that would have been more than enough of an experience.... but we were very, very lucky! The whales kept coming up for air & they put on quite an incredible show for us! The crew was knowledgeable & they never missed ab opportunity to call our attention to educational items of interest - like the mola-mola (sunfish) we saw, or even the plastic balloon that floating in the middle of the ocean (that they fished out) before it could be swallowed be an unassuming sea creature who might mistake it for a jellyfish. I wholeheartedly recommend the Oceanic Society's Farallon Islands whale-watching tour. Get this on your schedule, & if you do so soon... you might even see a ton of whales & other magnificent creatures, like we did The Farallon Islands were absolutely beautiful - 27 miles out & worth the time it took to get there & see what I am now calling "Pinniped City". It was an experience like no other, that's for sure.

    Wonderful people. Smart, professional. Invest in electronic wrist bracelets for sea sickness.read more

    Photos
    Oceanic Society Whale Watching - So many adorable seals

    So many adorable seals

    Oceanic Society Whale Watching - Farallon islands taken by me

    Farallon islands taken by me

    Oceanic Society Whale Watching - Farallon Islands

    See all

    Farallon Islands

    Pillar Point Harbor - rafting - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...