Dungeness crab season is always a favorite time for Bay Area residents, with the popular seafood often taking center stage at restaurants throughout the city. San Franciscans have the rare oppurtuity buy fresh crab directly from fishermen at that wharf, providing the freshest possible crab. Last year, Sausalito launched a crab festival, and it’s returning for a second year this February.
This year’s festival is on Saturday, February 21, at the Clipper Yacht Harbor in Sausalito. The festival will include prepared crab from the aptly named Fish, a waterfront restaurant known for their seafood. Of course, fresh whole crabs will be available for purchase to eat there or at home. Aside from Dungeness crab, you can expect great oysters from Hog Island Oyster Co., which is known for sustainably grown oysters from Tomales Bay and Humboldt Bay.
The festival will offer opportunities for attendees to meet the crab fishing fleet and take open-boat tours. You can also join a cruise on the bay to take in the scenic views on two sport fishing boats. Aside from the seafood, you can look forward to live music from three local bands and kid-friendly activities on Saturday. Plus, local vendors and artists will be at the festival, perfect for picking up a local souvenir.
The Crab Festival was created by the Sausalito Sustainable Waterfront Association and Fish., as a way to support the commercial fishing fleet in the area. The festival is a great way to support local businesses and eat plenty of delicious crab.
Tickets cost $15 , and boat rides are an additional $20. Children are welcome, and tickets cost $5 for kids 12 to 18 and are free for those under 12. You can learn more about the upcoming Sausalito Crab Festival here.