Calico Fish House
Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach
Bar in Huntington Beach, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
Calico Fish House on Pacific Coast Highway is easy to book and benefits from a high-traffic coastal address that keeps energy going later into the evening than most Huntington Beach seafood spots. Accessible for same-week reservations. Best suited to diners who want a relaxed coastal fish house without the planning overhead of a destination restaurant.
About Calico Fish House
Quick Take: Calico Fish House, Huntington Beach
Calico Fish House sits at 16600 Pacific Coast Hwy; a Pacific-facing address that tells you most of what you need to know about why people come here. The draw is the setting as much as the seafood: a coastal fish house on one of Southern California's most traffic-heavy stretches of highway, which means it's accessible, walkable from the beach, easy to book without the reservation anxiety you'd feel at tighter spots inland.
If you've been once, the question is whether it earns a repeat visit as the evening progresses. Fish houses on PCH tend to split into two camps: those that peak at sunset and fade by 9 PM, those that hold their energy into the later hours. Calico lands in a position where the location does heavy lifting; a Pacific Coast Highway address keeps foot traffic moving through the door well past dinner peak, which generally means the bar and social energy stay alive longer than at comparable spots tucked off the main drag. For a second visit, that late-evening window, after the dining rush but before last call, is worth targeting if you want a more relaxed read on the room.
Booking is easy by Huntington Beach standards. There's no evidence of a months-out reservation backlog, which puts it in a more accessible tier than destination-driven dining rooms. That's useful to know if you're planning a same-week or same-day visit, a flexibility that spots like Duke's Huntington Beach don't always offer at peak season. For broader context on what's worth your time along the coast, our full Huntington Beach restaurants guide lays out the full field, our Huntington Beach bars guide covers where to go if cocktails are your priority.
One practical note: the Pacific Coast Hwy address means parking and traffic are real considerations, especially on weekends. If you're coming from out of town, pair a visit here with a look at our Huntington Beach hotels guide to avoid the PCH weekend crawl entirely. Our Huntington Beach experiences guide and wineries guide are worth a look if you're building a fuller day around the area.
Planning details
- Location
- 16600 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
- Website
- calico-restaurant.com
- Phone
- +1 562 357 4012
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Calico Fish House sits squarely in a coastal register: the Pacific and the PCH are never far from the story, and the atmosphere skews maritime rather than urban. The room balances beach-ease with a considered bar program, so the overall feel is relaxed but intentional. Rather than trading on louche seaside kitsch, the venue leans into craft — thoughtful spirit selection, house-made touches and bartenders who practice hospitality. That mix produces a scenic, laid-back spot where the ocean’s presence is part of the charm and the drinking program signals that this is more than a typical surf hangout.
Best For
This is a go-to for people coming off the beach, drivers cruising the PCH and local regulars who want elevated drinks without pretense. It performs best as a casual hangout for post-surf cocktails, afternoon stops on a coast drive, or low-key evenings where the view and a tightly curated drink list are the draw. The emphasis on craft and hospitality means it also suits those looking for a dependable spot that sustains interest beyond the busiest summer weeks, rewarding repeat visits across seasons.
Ordering Tips
Lean on the bar staff: the program is built around technique, sourcing and hospitality, and the bartenders are described as readers of guests rather than reciters of menus. Skip expecting only frozen, basic pours and instead ask for the house-made elements or a bartender recommendation that highlights the program’s thoughtful spirit selection. You’ll likely get a cocktail that favors nuance over novelty; if you want something tailored, mention your preferences and let the team suggest something that suits the day’s weather and your mood.
Venue details
Ambiance
Clean and open environment with casual trendy atmosphere and outdoor patio seating.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Lounge
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
Planning details
Location
16600 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Captain Jack's; Notable alternative
- Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill; Notable alternative
- Cucina Alessá; Notable alternative
- Four Sons Brewing; Notable alternative
- Harbor House Café; Notable alternative
Bar context
How Calico Fish House Compares in Huntington Beach
Against Captain Jack's and Harbor House Café, Calico Fish House occupies the middle ground: more of a sit-down fish house format than the casual, counter-style energy at Harbor House, but without the nautical dive-bar character that defines Captain Jack's. If you want something that reads as a proper dining room with a coastal view rather than a bar-first experience, Calico is the more straightforward pick of the three.
Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill and Four Sons Brewing serve a different purpose; they're better choices if your group wants beer-first, food-second programming, or if you're with people who won't commit to a seafood-focused menu. For groups that are genuinely split on cuisine, Cruisers' broader menu gives you more cover. Cucina Alessá is the strongest alternative if Italian is on the table; it tends to carry more culinary credibility per review cycle than the fish house tier in this zip code.
On value and booking ease, Calico's accessible reservation window makes it a practical default for spontaneous Huntington Beach plans; a meaningful advantage over spots that fill a week or more out. If you're benchmarking cocktail programs against a higher ceiling, Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Jewel of the South in New Orleans, and Julep in Houston set a different standard entirely; but those are destination bar programs in a different league and city. Within Huntington Beach, Calico holds its own as a low-friction coastal dining option.
Explore Huntington Beach
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Calico Fish House guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Calico Fish House
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Calico Fish House | Easy | No published awards |
| Captain Jack's | Unknown | No published awards |
| Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill | Unknown | No published awards |
| Cucina Alessá | Unknown | No published awards |
| Four Sons Brewing | Unknown | No published awards |
| Harbor House Café | Unknown | No published awards |
How Calico Fish House stacks up against the competition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Calico Fish House have happy hour deals?
Calico Fish House sits on Pacific Coast Hwy in Huntington Beach, where happy hour specials are common across the local bar and grill scene; but specific deals, pricing, or hours are not confirmed in available data. Your best move is to call or check in directly before visiting. If happy hour value is a priority, Captain Jack's and Harbor House Café are nearby alternatives worth comparing on that front.
Where is Calico Fish House located?
Calico Fish House is located in Huntington Beach, at 16600 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649.
