Harbor Fish and Chips in Oceanside CA - one of the best seafood dives?

Maybe coastal California real estate is just too expensive to house many real seafood dives? I grew up in New England, and seafood dives with 5 star food and views can be found in almost every coastal town. Finding a non chain fish restaurant in southern CA is another story.

While out and about exploring Oceanside Harbor in CA on foot for the first time, I decided to try out our very own : Harbor Fish & Chips
760/722-4977. Although I intended to get the fish & chips when I entered, I ended up with their crab cakes, which I can rarely resist. My companion ordered the grilled fish plate. Both were fairly priced at under $10 with salad & fries or salad & chowder. The service at the counter was fantastic: efficient, personalized, and cheerful. We got to enjoy our chowder and unlimited drinks during the reasonable wait. We were lucky to arrive right before the lunch rush at 12:30 on a December Saturday, which was handled very quickly by the staff. I cannot imagine the crowds in the summer time there in Oceanside.

There was plenty to keep us entertained as there are 3 decades of fishing and family photos and stories decorating the walls of this smallish place. The atmosphere made us feel like family and understand the story behind Harbor Fish and Chips. I noticed a framed piece from Coastal Living that was responsible for this write up:

"Harbor Fish & Chips keeps things simple. It serves consistently good fish-and-chips and tasty if not overly clammy clam chowder. And it sits on Oceanside Harbor, between Los Angeles and San Diego. Just right.
• 276-A Harbor Drive South, Oceanside, California"

My crab cakes were fresh, and just the right quantity. Salad the perfect substitute for slaw, and the fries were real potato! My husband's fish was very small, cooked properly, just not enough. Next time, we will stick with the fish and chips as this dish did indeed look to be the best of the bunch.

Craving chowder (Manhattan or New England style), crab cakes that won't break the bank, or good fish & chips? Harbor Fish & Chips in Oceanside, CA should fit the bill - it's a lot closer to us southern Californians than Woodman's in Essex or the Clam Box in Ipswich!

Carlsbad California Flower Fields

The link here said "great trip for southern California residents"- forget about that -this is a great day trip for any guest or resident:
Carlsbad Flower Fields - Guide to Carlsbad Flower Fields.

Every year I plan on visiting the flower fields full of ranunculus in March, and every year I don't make it, though it is and easy half hour from my home. Sometimes we residents need to live as if we are on vacation...
So during your next vacation in Orange County, San Diego, or Oceanside, just don't miss this colorful spectacle of nature!

Ah...maybe next year.