Tucked away along the rugged coastline of Half Moon Bay sits Barbara’s Fishtrap, a seafood joint that’s been serving up what I boldly claim is California’s finest crab sandwich for decades. When you’re cruising Highway 1 with a rumbling stomach, this unassuming shack calls to hungry travelers like a siren song. I’ve eaten my way through countless seafood spots from San Diego to Crescent City, and nothing – I mean nothing – compares to the crabby perfection that Barbara’s lovingly stuffs between two slices of bread.
1. Famous for Fresh, Local Dungeness Crab and Clam Chowder
Where else can you watch fishermen unload their boats while you’re waiting for your meal? Barbara’s relationship with local crabbers means they serve Dungeness that was swimming in the Pacific mere hours before landing on your plate.
Their commitment to freshness borders on obsession. During crab season (typically November through June), the kitchen staff refuse to use anything but local catch. Unlike chain restaurants that serve frozen, processed crab year-round, Barbara’s menu changes with what’s available.
Alongside their legendary crab sandwich, their clam chowder deserves its own love letter. Thick enough to stand a spoon in, loaded with tender clams, and served in a sourdough bread bowl, it’s the perfect starter before the main event. Many visitors make the drive just for a bowl of this creamy coastal nectar.
2. Small Cozy Setting with Limited Indoor Seating
Though some might call it cramped, I prefer the term ‘intimate.’ With barely enough room for 30 diners inside, Barbara’s creates an atmosphere where conversations flow between tables and strangers become friends over shared love of seafood…