Thanksgiving has long been a celebration of abundance, gratitude, and gathering around a shared table, but few remember that the holiday also began as a coastal occasion deeply tied to the sea. Long before golden turkeys and cranberry sauce became the centerpiece of the American feast, the first Thanksgiving was filled with the flavors of the Atlantic. When the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1620, they arrived by ship, their lives entirely dependent on the maritime world. The settlers relied on the sea for food and trade, and with the help of the Wampanoag people, they learned how to fish, harvest shellfish, and use fish remains to fertilize crops.
The meal shared in 1621 was a far cry from the modern Thanksgiving spread. According to historical accounts, the table was likely filled with cod, bass, lobster, clams, and mussels gathered from the surrounding waters. Venison and fowl may have been served as well, but it was the ocean that provided the most reliable source of sustenance. The Wampanoag taught the newcomers how to harvest and cook from the sea, and that knowledge kept the early colonists alive through harsh winters when farming alone could not.
Fishing quickly became the foundation of early coastal life and the economic lifeline of the colonies. Salted cod was one of the first major exports from New England, connecting the young settlements to trade routes across Europe and the Caribbean. Ships filled with fish left from the same shores where the Pilgrims had once landed, helping to establish thriving ports that would shape both local and national prosperity. Even as farming grew more dependable, it was the fishing industry that sustained many communities and funded the growth of towns that later embraced Thanksgiving as an enduring American tradition.
The bounty celebrated at the Thanksgiving table was not only a product of the land but also a reflection of maritime success. Spices, molasses, sugar, and citrus that flavored the early feasts arrived aboard ships that crossed the Atlantic. The meal itself became a symbol of how the ocean connected continents and brought prosperity to the New World.
Today, the connection between Thanksgiving and the sea remains present, though less often remembered. Many coastal communities honor the season with seafood feasts and harbor gatherings that celebrate the same resources that sustained the first settlers. Fishermen and sailors still work through the holiday to bring in catches that will feed families across the country, and coastal residents often include seafood favorites like Dungeness crab, rockfish, or lobster alongside traditional turkey dinners. But here in Southern California, we love our fresh fish. Our harbors are lined with boats bringing in everything from lobster to rockfish, and local markets are stocked with gleaming fillets ready for the holiday table. For many, Thanksgiving feels just a little more special when the meal includes something pulled straight from the Pacific. It’s a reminder that our version of comfort food comes with sea salt in the air and sunshine on the water.
For anyone planning to put a coastal twist on their holiday table, there are countless ways to bring the flavors of the ocean to Thanksgiving dinner. A pescatarian Thanksgiving is a fun and flavorful alternative that honors history while offering something new. With lobster and rockfish season in full swing along the Southern California coast, you can start the feast with a rich lobster bisque made from your own local catch. For something a little more playful, try a lobster mac and cheese as a creamy side dish that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or garlic mashed potatoes.
Rockfish also makes a perfect main course. You can crust it in panko and bake it with fresh herbs and lemon for a light, crisp entrée, or dice it with citrus, onion, and cilantro for fresh ceviche. Anglers who fish the 14 Mile Bank might even enjoy preparing their own catch from a recent trip as the centerpiece of the meal.
Every good feast needs a few small bites for guests to snack on while the cooks are busy in the kitchen. Shrimp cocktail, bacon-wrapped scallops, or oysters served Rockefeller-style or on ice are elegant and easy options to keep guests happy until dinner is served. For the kids, try crab cakes or crab rangoon, or shrimp or fish tacos made from local white fish for a fun finger food that fits the seaside theme.
If you need a little inspiration, two cookbooks offer wonderful options for those exploring seafood-centered holiday meals. San Diego Seafood: Then & Now celebrates the region’s deep connection to the ocean through stories, history, and more than 75 recipes that highlight local favorites like tuna, halibut, black cod, and spiny lobster. Edited by Emily Soye Miller, Neva Sullaway, and Theresa Sinicrope Talley, the book combines vibrant photography and local heritage with community-driven recipes that honor San Diego’s fishing legacy.
Another delightful choice is The ABC’s of Fish Cooking by Virginia Clark, a charming and accessible collection of family-style recipes that bring together the best of freshwater and ocean fish. With dishes such as Parmesan Flounder Fillets, Honey Curried Grouper, Broiled Orange Roughy, and Grilled Trout with Bacon, this classic cookbook is ideal for anyone looking to serve a wholesome, pescatarian Thanksgiving meal filled with comfort and creativity.
In its truest form, Thanksgiving is a story about survival, cooperation, and gratitude for the harvests of both land and sea. This year, whether your table features a roasted turkey or a platter of freshly caught lobster, the spirit of the holiday remains the same. From the shores of Plymouth to the harbors of California, Thanksgiving continues to remind us that the ocean has always been part of the American table.
