This is my food Mecca. Incredible atmosphere, kid friendly, can sit at counter, or outside overlooking the bay. Great shellfish, reasonable price. Not for people in a hurry: often takes 30 minutes to get seated.

It's the last place to eat on the pier but well worth it. There are only 4 outdoor table on the back side of the property so if you are wanting to have this outdoor eating experience, be prepared to wait awhile. Also, if it is lunch time, those seats are in the shade and the wind whips through the back alley pretty fiercely so plan on bringing a jacket or sweater. Later in the afternoon as the sun starts to descend, those seats are in the sun and warm enough to offset the wind.

Now, if you don't have a need for alcohol, you can order from the walk-up window and grab a seat at some nearby tables. We chose to wait 60 minutes for the outdoor table because we wanted to drink and were not in a hurry as there is plenty of action around to keep you occupied while you wait. Food was great, reasonable priced, and definitely worth the wait.

Tonight we went to Santa Barbara Shellfish Company 230 Stearns Wharf Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Open 11 to 8:30 sbfishhouse.com (805) 966-6676 Prices and food are very good and very very fresh. You actually drive on the long wood pier almost to the end to the restaurant. Parking is free on the pier and when have you ever driven on a wooded pier – so much fun. We started with 1/2 dozen blue point oysters $12, then continued with a plater of lightly battered and fried calamari, oyster, shrimp, scallops $12, 2 lobster tacos $19, and cioppino made with crab shrimp scallop clams & mussels served in a bread bowl $19. Great views of the harbor, ocean & the beach. On the day we went the fog rolled in and there was a point you couldn't even see 40 feet in front of you. In my opinion this is a must do while in Santa Barbara.

We visited following a recommendation from a friend, we walked all the way to the end of the pier taking in the sights, you can either sit inside or takeaway which we took away. I love seafood but we chose the shrimp, oysters, calamari etc but it came battered? The fish tasted nice but I'm a firm believer seafood should not be battered as it spoils the taste especially when it's so fresh. As I said maybe they did have it in the menu and we just missed it so don't make the mistake I did. If everything as a snack is battered then I'd advise doing seafood not battered as an option, you can't get fresher than here so coming from the UK where it's not so fresh it's a little disappointing its battered

Go to the end of the Santa Barbara pier, look back at the city of Santa Barbara, take a deep breath, and take life in. pull a cork, buy the best sea food on the pier and enjoy a great day in life. a very special moment you will never forget.