New market comes ahead of other enhancements coming to the Wharf in 2026
Contact: media@sfport.com
The Port of San Francisco announced fresh Dungeness crab sales direct to the public will begin Sunday, January 11 at 6 a.m. in Fisherman’s Wharf and a new pop-up fish market, operated by the local fishing community with support from Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and the Port, will begin operations in the Wharf starting Saturday, January 10, offering locally caught seafood.
Since 2021, permitted crabbers can sell directly to consumers from their vessels in the inner and outer lagoons of Fisherman’s Wharf. Participating vessels and their locations are available on the Port’s website at sfport.com/offboatsales. Individual fishers can utilize the FishLine mobile app to provide real-time updates about their sales hours and locations with additional information available on the San Francisco off the boat sales Facebook group and Instagram.
The pop-up “Fish Market at the Wharf” will offer pre-cut, pre-packaged fish every Saturday for the next 3 months beginning January 10. It will also offer crab cooked on site from off-the-boat sales starting January 17. Operated by the local fishing community, with support from Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and the Port, the hours will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 101 Al Scoma Way adjacent to the Wharf J9 and off-the-boat sales. Offerings will rotate weekly based on availability, but guests can expect to find fresh and flash frozen selections such as black cod, rockfish, and halibut, as well as smoked fish and eventually some pre-prepared items. Every fish sold at the market has been caught by local fishers, ensuring freshness while supporting the Wharf’s historic fishing community.
“Fisherman’s Wharf has long been the heart of San Francisco’s working waterfront, and these fresh Dungeness crab sales and the new pop-up fish market continue that tradition. By connecting the public directly with local fishermen, we’re supporting our maritime economy while offering residents and visitors the freshest seafood possible. This is another great way to celebrate with your friends and family post-holiday season!" Supervisor Danny Sauter, District 3.
“The start of crab season, along with the opening of the new pop-up fish market, is a double dose of good news to kick off the year,” said Michael Martin, Acting Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco. “This moment reflects the Port’s excitement about what it can achieve with its partners in supporting the working waterfront. Locally caught crab and fish are a San Francisco treasure, connecting the fishing industry directly to the public through exceptional food. And it’s just one of many new attractions coming to Fisherman’s Wharf in the months ahead.”
“Nothing says Fisherman's Wharf like buying fresh crab straight off the boat,” said Bri Maughan, Executive Director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District. “The new pop-up Fish Market at the Wharf takes that authentic connection between our fishing community and the public even further. We want to inspire our friends and neighbors to come to the Wharf for their fresh fish. The Wharf is the city's working waterfront experience you can’t find anywhere else.”
"We are excited to provide San Francisco residents and visitors with local seafood,” said Sarah Bates, Crab Boat Owners Association Board Member. “We want to put the fishermen back in focus at Fisherman's Wharf, and the best way to do this is to show San Francisco our amazing ocean harvest. We will have local fish fillets this Saturday at the new Fisherman’s Wharf pop-up fish market. Starting next Saturday, January 17, the pop-up fish market will have live crab from the boats and we can cook it for you."
The fish market is yet another maritime enhancement in Fisherman’s Wharf. In January 2025 the Port installed an ADA-accessible float at Wharf J9, which is north of Jefferson Street along Al Scoma Way, to support off-the-boat sales.
Wharf J9 is part of the shoreline of the Outer Lagoon area of Fisherman’s Wharf. This protected harbor has been home to the local fishing industry since the early 1900s, with Wharf J9 providing public access and berthing for the working boats.
Traditionally, commercial fishers at Wharf J9 relied on stern tie berths with ladder access when selling direct to the public, which presented accessibility challenges. The ADA-accessible float installed last year provides safer boat access for both fishers and the public.
The Port will deliver even more new offerings in Fisherman’s Wharf this year as its work to lift up the most-visited neighborhood in San Francisco continues. The Port is preparing to open a new public plaza in summer 2026 along Taylor Street as part of the Fisherman’s Wharf Forward project. Fisherman’s Wharf Forward is a major investment strategy aimed at reinvigorating the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf.
About the Port of San Francisco
The Port of San Francisco manages 7.5 miles of waterfront that is home to popular destinations and attractions, historic districts, small businesses and robust maritime opportunities. The Port works to advance environmentally and financially sustainable maritime, recreational, and economic opportunities for the City, Bay Area, and California.