In the 1970s I lived in the East Bay town of Pinole. Often when I got off work I would head down to the nearby Joseph's Pier in Rodeo. It was only a few miles away and usually offered up a few fish—starry flounder, striped bass, jacksmelt, bat rays, and way too many staghorn sculpin (bullheads). When possible, I would take my kids along, Kim and Mike. Here's some pictures with my daughter Kim from fifty years ago. Unfortunately the pier is now just history.
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Starry flounder were plentiful in those days.
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I think crabs are always interesting to kids.