Writing for SFGATE has really pushed me to stretch my storytelling muscles. I’m used to covering hard news, but lately, I’ve been digging into the people and places that make a community tick. Take Sea Pal Cove Restaurant—it’s more than just fish and chips. John Schnaubelt’s journey, from fish fertilizer to fried seafood, shows how deeply a place is shaped by its people and their history. His family’s ties to Noyo Harbor, from his grandfather’s fishing boat to his dad’s fertilizer business, tell a story of grit and survival.
What I’m enjoying more these days is how a place like Sea Pal Cove can hold so much history in the smallest details. The restaurant isn’t just a spot to grab a bite—it’s a product of years of hard work and local culture. It’s refreshing to see how these places carry the weight of the past while staying grounded in the present.
Read about Sea Pal in SFGATE here.
Great work on your part. When we visit Fort Bragg, we eat there and De Aurilios.
Good stuff Matt. There is so much rich history in Mendocino County. Am glad you’re starting to dig into that with these articles. Well done.
This is one of my favorite restaurants! I have been going there for years! It is nice to know the story behind it.
A great fish & chips spot, with a lot of local color. Eat there often.
Could use a few more heat lamps for those chilly evenings
Love going to Sea Pal eat their multiple times in a month. I have a significant issue with the fountain Beverages and the lemonade. Have mentioned this to staff before although nothing has come of it they taste like toilet water. They are tragically horrible not even worth the $2 you pay for them because you wind up not even drinking them and throwing them out. This has been going on for years let’s fix the fountain drinks so they don’t taste like toilet water. Or start carrying them in cans only and recycle the containers. Otherwise love everything coleslaw has been really good lately.