Our Story
In 1976, a sport fisherman, business partner, boat captain and gourmet chef joined forces to open The Fish Market. Not one of them had notable experience in the restaurant business, but their individual and collective passion for seafood was deep enough to drive them toward their vision:
A lively, welcoming restaurant serving the freshest seafood,
prepared to perfection, at an honest price.
SEAFOOD PEOPLE
Fred Duckett and Robert Wilson partnered in 1964 to form Duckett-Wilson Development Company. Duckett had been an avid fisherman his entire life and began floating the idea of opening a seafood restaurant. With Wilson–also a seafood fanatic–immediately onboard, the first two founders reeled in John Freis, captain of Duckett’s boat, and Dean Betts, their culinary-skilled colleague. That made four founders, and a dream team of seafood people on a mission to create a unique dining experience around freshness, simplicity and quality.
ANCHORING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
The Fish Market first opened in Palo Alto, down the street from Stanford University, in 1976. What was previously an old pancake house quickly became a seafood sensation, and in 1979, the group opened the second Fish Market in Santa Clara. The new restaurant kept the same recipe for success, with a larger space and the debut of Santa Clara’s first oyster bar. Just like the Palo Alto location, the Santa Clara Fish Market became an instant favorite that led to additional openings (San Mateo in 1982).
EXPANDING DOWN TO SOCAL
The Fish Market founders all lived in Southern California, even as their restaurants were thriving in Northern California. So, they brought the concept closer to home, opening a third location across from the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Race Track in Solana Beach in 1981. That, too, was a hit – and one that set the stage for big things to follow. In 1989, The Fish Market came to Downtown San Diego, bringing its now-famed seafood to the city’s waterfront dining scene. Today, the San Diego Fish Market stands as our beautiful, bustling flagship restaurant on the bay.
THE FISHING BOATS
Beginning in 1982, Duckett launched two commercial fishing boats, the Pilikia and the Temptation. Pilikia, which means “trouble” in Hawaiian, sailed full time, harpooning swordfish for our restaurants. In 2000, true to her name, the original Pilikia ran aground on San Clemente Island and was lost. Today, it is another local boat, called the Chula, that partners to provide the Fish Market with fresh local catches including harpooned local swordfish. We make a point to maintain close relationships with local fishermen, because we respect their commitment to preserving seafood supplies and appreciate their service.
FARALLON FISHERIES
When it comes to seafood, freshness is everything. That’s why we have our own seafood processing and distribution facility, Farallon Fisheries. What started out as a wholesale operation out of a small shack on the docks near Half Moon Bay, now–from its current South San Francisco location–purchases, processes and distributes a significant portion of the seafood served in our restaurants. Farallon’s purchasing arm extends worldwide to ensure only the highest-quality seafood reaches our kitchens and customers.
TOP OF THE MARKET
Our San Diego restaurant features a unique and elegant dining experience that combines the freshness of the Fish Market with the ambiance of an upscale establishment. Top of the Market–which truly sits at the top of the market–gives guests a chance to enjoy an expanded wine list, exhibition-style cooking and distinctive dishes, in an intimate setting designed to turn special occasions into lifelong memories.
Visual Archives
When you have a proud past like ours, you cherish it in the present and preserve it for the future. Browse our curated collection of photos paying tribute to The Fish Market’s history.
Fish Market partner, John Freis (R) and deckhand hoisting a 75# bigeye tuna.
1985
Worker hand cleaning Westcott Bay oysters.
1980s
Westcott Bay oyster farm founder, Bill Webb, sampling some of his fine oysters from the San Juan Islands, Washington.
1980s
The crew of the Santa Clara Fish Market hosting a charity event in Napa, CA.
1988
A haul of yellowfin tuna on the Pilika.
1980s
A small boat rockfish in Mexico.
1980s
Fly fisherman proudly displaying wish 5# steelhead catch.
1980s
Original Fish Market wharf scene drawn by Jocelyn Slack, who has done all of our murals and artwork since day one in 1976.
1976
“Got One!” Small boat exulting his line catch of a 100# California swordfish
1980s
Four man jack pole team landing a 200# Bluefin tuna.
The man on the left wears a helmet to protect himself from the fish as it flies overhead onto the deck.
1940s
Crooner Bing Crosby, an avid sports fisherman, displaying a Pacific Pompano.
1970s
Fish Market founder Fred Duckett and his family on his 1st boat named Pilikia, before the commercial version was launched.
1973
20+ pound Maine lobster – probably over 100 years old.
1950s
Rack of pacific yellowtail – San Clemente.
1908
Atlantic cod schooner Sophie Christenson setting sail.
Early 1900s
California King Salmon being cleaned.
1930s
Sea of Cortez prawns being unloaded from a small boat.
1930s
Pacific Blue Marlin.
1918
World Record (at the time) 425# Black Seabass.
1903
Short nosed sturgeon - somewhere in Florida.
1902
Cod fishing deck hand.
Early 1900s
Captain Ahab searching for great seafood.
Early 1900s