Decades ago, I'd drive along the coast looking for a place with its own fishing boats. They might look ramshackle on the outside, but the food inside would be incredible, even a simple fried fish platter for lunch. I think tourism took most of those places out. They even have Red Lobsters in Florida near the ocean. That's like seeing a Pizza Hut in Naples or Starbucks in Vienna.
Hudson's seafood on Hilton Head has its own boats, it's more oyster oriented, but it's solid all around, they have a new deck which is very nice when weather is good. Vancouver had a couple places with really good seafood and oysters. I couldn't find anything notable in San Diego, even good Mexican was hit and miss there, for me. These little quaint local "dives" are mostly a thing of the past.
There was a BBQ joint here called Harold's that was revered, it's gone now. I think most of the "local" places have been replaced with chains especially where there are a lot of tourists. This is why I strongly prefer dining here at "local spots", we've been able to try them and either shrug or go back often. We don't have many chains, a few "local chains" of 5-6-7 places, but few national chains. There is Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, and a Panera nearby. They are "OK".
The amusing thing to me is how nearly every ethnic place has "Hispanic chefs" whether it's Persian or Italian or, well, not Indian, they are 100% Indian, and really good. The Indian food here is better than what we had in ... India, same with the Thai food.
But if finding actual fresh fish in coastal Florida requires one to be "in the know" about seasons and just a few places offer it as specials, well, it's not easy to find for a stranger.
