Sam’s Chowder House

4210 N. Cabrillo Hwy. (Hwy. 1), (650) 712-0245. L-D daily; $$$. Reservations taken.

exterior of Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, California

This New England-style seafood house boasts excellent views of the Pacific Ocean from almost every table. Sun-exposed outdoor seating is also an option at Sam’s Chowder House. Specialties include fresh fish, live lobsters and crabs, and a raw bar. Choose from New England (white) or Manhattan (red) clam chowders, and don’t miss my personal favorite--the award-winning lobster roll sandwich. For the lobster roll, you do need to make a choice between “naked” (warm and dipped in butter) and “dressed” (chilled and with an aioli dressing). Drinks are creative and fun—anyone for a Strawjito?--and Sam’s is family-friendly, too.

dining room at Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, California

dining deck at Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, California

lobster with very big claws in tank at Sam’s Chowder House
in Half Moon Bay, California

"naked" or "dressed" lobster roll? at Sam’s Chowder House
in Half Moon Bay, California

"naked" lobster roll at Sam’s Chowder House
in Half Moon Bay, California

"dressed" lobster roll at Sam’s Chowder House
in Half Moon Bay, California

An adjacent gift shop sells a curated selection of items that let you “bring a piece of the coast home with you.” Many items are made by local artisans. Takeout and items for a picnic-to-go are picked up here, and an all-inclusive lobster clambake pot that you can enjoy on the beach is available with 48-hours notice.

gift shop at Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, California

2021 pandemic update: Plenty of water-view outdoor tables are available on a patio surrounded by plexiglass, and more completely open-air tables sprinkle down the hillside. Adirondack chairs are available at the hill’s bottom beside the quiet bay. Make reservations so that you don’t get caught with what can be quite a long wait. You can also put your name on the waiting list and be texted or called when your table is ready. We arrived just before opening time at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and managed to get in after just a short wait. Service is in general excellent here and covid-thoughtful, and a bottle of hand sanitizer is on every table.

line at at Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, California

After, climb the steps down to the small crescent beach behind Sam’s, where you can walk along the water and perhaps watch some kiteboarding. Also, do note that Sam’s parking lot is often filled to overflowing with cars, yet the dining room has plenty of room. Many people park here illegally, so don’t give up without calling the restaurant or stopping in to check the table status.