Point Loma Seafoods Reportedly Listed For Sale, Potentially Signaling End Of An Era for Iconic San Diego Fish Market

A shift may be on the horizon for one of San Diego’s most iconic seafood institutions. Multiple sources have indicated that Point Loma Seafoods has been listed for sale, raising speculation that the longtime family-run business could soon change ownership for the first time in its more than 60-year history.

Founded in 1963 by Kelly and Marie Christianson, Point Loma Seafoods has become a cherished part of the city’s coastal identity. Perched along America’s Cup Harbor, steps from the sportfishing docks and marinas of Point Loma, the market and restaurant is renowned for its pristine seafood offerings, including smoked fish, chowder, crab sandwiches, and freshly cut fillets served with a harbor view. With its glass seafood cases, informal counter service, and old-school charm, the eatery has attracted loyal locals and visitors alike for generations.

In 2019, the Christianson family completed a $2.8 million modernization of the property as part of a 40-year tidelands lease renewal with the Port of San Diego. The extensive renovation replaced the original 7,904-square-foot building with a new 11,306-square-foot, two-story facility featuring indoor and outdoor dining areas, soaring ceilings, and a lighthouse-inspired architectural element. Despite the upgrades, the family retained the core of what made Point Loma Seafoods special - fresh, high-quality seafood and a strong connection to the working waterfront.

While Brigantine Restaurant Group was initially rumored as a potential buyer, the company has since confirmed that it is not purchasing the property, though its name continues to be floated as a possible suitor should a deal advance. Point Loma Seafoods ownership has not responded to requests for comment. 

Any transfer of ownership would require approval from the Port of San Diego, as was the case when Brigantine acquired the leases for The Fish Market's downtown location earlier this year. That deal marked the beginning of a new era for another historic San Diego seafood business, and added to Brigantine’s growing portfolio of restaurant brands, including Miguel’s Cocina and Ketch Grill & Taps.

Though there is no confirmation yet on who, if anyone, is purchasing Point Loma Seafoods, the potential change has sparked both curiosity and concern among longtime patrons. For many, the possibility of the market leaving family hands represents another sign of San Diego's evolving restaurant landscape, where legacy businesses increasingly face mounting pressures from development and consolidation.

Point Loma Seafoods is located at 2805 Emerson Street in San Diego's Point Loma neighborhood. For more information, visit pointlomaseafoods.com. 

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Originally published on July 6, 2025.