Crab Sandwiches and More: Where to Eat on the Sonoma Coast

Finally! Dungeness crabbers are now out in full force and these sweet, delicious little crustaceans are ready for your table. A trip to Bodega Bay, and you can treat yourself with seafood as fresh as a matter of hours. Not days. Not weeks. Definitely not months in a freezer.

It’s worth the journey to the coast not just for fresh crab but for all the tasty goodness along the way, and to directly support the fishing community that has been hit hard by the long delay to crab season. Below are a few stops you just can’t miss.

Ginochio’s Kitchen

Hello to my new favorite Dungeness crab sandwich. Though I usually prefer a soft roll with crab meat nestled within, Ginochio’s buttery, griddled slices of white bread hold huge chunks of freshly picked crab and a slice of melted cheese. It’s a messy affair and resplendently rich, so you could probably split one with a friend or take some home for later, especially since the chowder here is required. We love the soft scallops and clams dotted throughout the chowder, and the big plus is that seafood outweighs potatoes. It’s one of the best chowders on the coast. Next time we’ll definitely try the caramel bacon monkey bread. Plus, they have some great wines, beer and cider, including Claypool Cellars, that are hard to find elsewhere. 1410 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4359

Anello Family Crab and Seafood

Follow the bright orange crab signs to this dock-to-table family crabbing operation. Though we usually hit up Spud Point first, we decided to try this restaurant pop-up and crab boil instead. Giant live crabs are pulled out of the tank and immediately cooked and put on ice. We’ve never had a crab this fresh, sweet and delicious, ever. Ever. Cooked crab runs for about $12.50 a pound, which isn’t the cheapest, but it’s worth every penny. After a giant crab sandwich, we weren’t hungry for their hot food, but a take-out window serves chowder, sandwiches and more. Weekends only. 1820 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-232-8002, anellofamilyseafood.com

Spud Point

Always jammed, always great. A crab sammie on a soft roll and chowder comes with plenty of garlicy goodness. Owned by Tony and Carol Anello. 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9472

Fisherman’s Cove

Barbecue oysters are always my favorite here, but the crab sandwich on toasted ciabatta is another must-have. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4238

Fishetarian Fish Market

Best fish and chips, according to my dad. So there you go. They also have crab cakes, tacos and whole Dungeness crab with melted butter ready for eating. Don’t miss the super-fresh poke and rockfish ceviche. 599 Highway 1 S., Bodega Bay, 707-875-9092

Tides Wharf Restaurant

Located right on the water, with incredible views that are hard to beat, guests at the Tides can actually watch the crab boats pull up to unload their catch, making the seafood on the menu as fresh as it can get. Made famous in the early 1960s as the backdrop for scenes of Alfred Hitchcock’s film classic, “The Birds,” The Tides remains a popular destination for locals and travelers from around the world. 835 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3652

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Written by Heather Irwin