The California Coastline is a huge stretch that is full of so many awesome fishing vacation destinations. In Southern California, you have a lot more species to target and many anglers would say that the saltwater fishing is better in Southern California. However, in Northern California, you get to fish for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut along the coastal cities that line the coast. Whether you want to go further north or south, you have so many good options for planning a fishing vacation.
Take a look below to learn more about our featured California Saltwater Fishing Destinations.
Bodega Bay, CA Fishing
Bodega Bay is a small, rocky inlet of the Pacific Ocean in Sonoma County, California. This part of California draws visitors to its pristine beaches, abundant wildlife and excellent saltwater fishing. This area is known for its halibut, salmon, tuna, rockfish and lingcod. Steelhead are popular during their spawning run in Salmon Creek Beach. Throughout Sonoma County, anglers can also fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout and more.
Crescent City, California Fishing
Located only 20 miles south of Oregon, Crescent City is a small town that is home to the last lighthouse before Oregon. Battery Point Lighthouse can be seen overlooking the harbor on a tiny island that can only be reached at low tide. Crescent City is home to some excellent fishing opportunities for halibut, rockfish, lingcod, salmon and tuna.
Eureka, CA Fishing
Eureka is a port city in Northern California. It is the county seat of Humboldt County, California. It is a beautiful region with beautiful redwood trees, a rugged ocean landscape, its beautiful Victorian architecture to go along with the many shops, restaurants and excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers fish freshwater and saltwater in this area as they target a variety of species such as halibut, salmon, steelhead, striped bass, rockfish, lingcod, tuna and more.
Fort Bragg, CA Fishing
Fort Bragg is a coastal city in Northern California. Located on California’s Mendocino Coast, this town is known for Glass Beach, which is full of colorful glass stones. This town has some serious small town charm to go along with some outstanding recreational opportunities. Anglers come here to target a variety of fish in freshwater and saltwater. Fish for salmon, rockfish, lingcod, steelhead and more.
Huntington Beach, CA Fishing
Huntington Beach is located in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego. It is known as Surf City U.S.A., so go ahead and hit the beaches whether you want to catch a wave or just enjoy the sights while getting some sun. People enjoy the outdoors here, so plan on seeing plenty of people walking, biking, surfing, kayaking or just hanging out and enjoying the beach. The Huntington Beach Pier spans more than 1,800 feet and it draws plenty of visitors throughout the year as well. If you enjoy fishing, anglers have a variety of options whether you want to fish from the surf, the pier or out on a boat.
Klamath, CA Fishing
Klamath, California is home to a rugged coastline, towering redwoods, a variety of wildlife and some beautiful waters. This is a small town and you have a lot less amenities here compared to some of the other destinations that we feature in California, however, the area is beautiful and the fishing can be outstanding at certain times of the year. The big draw in this area is the Klamath River and the seasonal spawning runs. Anglers target salmon and steelhead in the river. Some guide services offer trips out in the ocean and in the river, while others will just focus on the river. Either way, it is one of the better places to target salmon and steelhead on the west coast.
Long Beach, CA Fishing
Long Beach is a coastal city and it serves as a port in Southern California. There is a waterfront aquarium, which features touch tanks and a shark lagoon. There are plenty of large charter boats that can accommodate a good amount of people. Whale watching is popular as well. If you want to enjoy yourself off the water, you can hit up the area shops, restaurants, breweries and more. Anglers catch a variety of fish such as rockfish, sand dab, sheepshead, sculpin, whitefish, red snapper and more.
Newport Beach, CA Fishing
Newport Beach is a coastal city in Southern California. There are 2 fishing piers in the area, an old-school amusement park with a ferris wheel and ocean views. There are local beaches and a beautiful coastline. Home to the largest recreational harbor on the west coast, there are miles of recreational opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming and other activities. Newport Beach is one of the wealthiest cities in the country, so the accommodations do run on the high side, however, there are some more affordable places to stay in this area.
The fishing can be very good off the coastline and there are plenty of fishing charters available to put you on the fish. Anglers target a variety of fish such as halibut, barracuda, bonito, sand bass, calico bass, sea bass, tuna and more. Whale watching is also very popular off the coastline of Newport Beach, California.
Oceanside, CA Fishing
Oceanside is a coastal city in California. It is known for palm-dotted Harbor Beach and nearby Oceanside Harbor. The harbor is home to a marina and many shops. The Oceanside Pier attracts many visitors throughout the year. There is plenty of outdoor recreation whether you just enjoy hanging out at the beach while soaking up the sun or enjoying a variety of water activities. Anglers have a lot of options here as they can fish the surf, from the pier and from a boat. You may catch a variety of fish such as halibut, barracuda, bonito, sand bass, calico bass, sea bass, tuna, rockfish, sand dab, sheepshead, sculpin, whitefish, red snapper and more.
Oxnard, CA Fishing
Oxnard, California is a coastal city in Ventura County with 7 miles of beaches. The city is located about 60 miles from LAX airport, which makes this a popular coastal town to visit in California. There is plenty to do here with all the shops, restaurants, a harbor and plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities. There are many fishing charters available, so it shouldn’t be hard for you to find a boat to get on to enjoy some of the excellent fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Anglers target a variety of fish such as halibut, barracuda, bonito, sand bass, calico bass, sea bass, tuna and more.
Redondo Beach, CA Fishing
Redondo Beach is located just minutes from the LAX airport, which helps make this a very popular beach town to visit. People enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as surfing, biking, sailing, kayaking, diving, whale watching and sport fishing. If you just want to relax, then enjoy the sights plus the pier and the area shops and restaurants. Anglers target a variety of fish such as halibut, barracuda, bonito, sand bass, calico bass, sea bass, tuna and more.
San Diego, CA Fishing
San Diego, California is a coastal city that is known for its beaches, parks, warm climate and some awesome recreational opportunities. San Diego offers its visitors all the amenities you would except from a city plus all the tourist options you would expect to find in a nice beach vacation destination. There are so many things to do here with its art galleries, museums, gardens, sports teams, the San Diego Zoo, so many shops and restaurants, plus the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
San Diego is also home to a large fishing fleet, so you should be able to find a boat to put you on some fish. There area waters are home to a variety of fish such as halibut, barracuda, bonito, sand bass, calico bass, sea bass, tuna and more.
San Francisco, CA Fishing
San Francisco is a good-sized city that is home to sports teams, good weather and is part of a larger metropolitan area that is home to more than 3 million people. While you can find plenty to do within the city limits and the suburbs that make up this entire metropolitan area, if you’re on our website reading this, you are probably more interested in the fishing in this area. San Francisco has been home to a large fishing charter fleet for many years and these boats will help put you on some very good saltwater fishing in the Pacific Ocean. The warm weather allows charters to fish year round for a variety of fish. Anglers catch a variety of fish such as rockfish, sand dab, sheepshead, sculpin, whitefish, red snapper, halibut and more.
Santa Barbara, CA Fishing
Santa Barbara is a coastal city in California that is home to a variety of events, shops, restaurants and outdoor recreational opportunities. This destination is unique because you have everything you would need to have an awesome saltwater fishing vacation destination, but it is also a short drive to Cachuma Lake and Lake Casitas. Anglers have so many options to fish for a variety of freshwater and saltwater species of fish. Go catch a huge largemouth bass one day then get onto a saltwater charter boat to fish for rockfish, whitefish, halibut, lingcod and more.
Ventura, CA Fishing
Ventura is lovely coastal city in Southern California. It is less than 2 hours from LAX airport, so there are definitely coastal cities closer to the airport that offer its visitors excellent beaches. Due to this city being a little further away, you won’t have the crowds here that you would see in some of the other popular beach destinations. Plenty of people do know about the beaches of Ventura as it does attract surfers, swimmers, kayakers and beach-goers who just want to enjoy the sun, sand and beautiful sights. The city center is home to plenty of shops and restaurants. Anglers come here for the excellent saltwater fishing and you can find plenty of charters that will put you on lots of rockfish, sea bass and more.
