Clam chowder along the California coast is more than a bowl of soup. It is a reason to plan a drive, pull over at a fishing pier, and settle in with a warm bowl and an ocean view.
Some of these spots have been serving chowder for decades, while others earned their reputation the old fashioned way, one satisfied customer at a time. From foggy harbor towns up north to sunny piers in Southern California, each place on this list has a chowder that people order again and again.
If you love creamy New England style chowder, or you prefer a lighter version, there is a stop here for you. Grab a spoon, save this list, and get ready to taste your way up and down the coast…