Discover Coastal, chef Scott Clark’s award-winning cookbook blending California design, photography, and 130 unfussy recipes for busy families.

Design and food often intersect in beautiful ways, and Coastal is a prime example. Created by acclaimed chef Scott Clark, known for transforming fine dining into the beloved Dad’s Luncheonette in Half Moon Bay, California, the book is both a visual storybook and a functional guide for busy families looking for inspiration in crafting unfussy, seasonal recipes.

A Cookbook as a Visual Journey

With over 300 photographs and 130 recipes, Coastal celebrates the abundance and diversity of California living. The book unfolds like a road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway, beginning in Half Moon Bay and ending in Ventura County. Along the way, readers meet the fishermen, farmers, winemakers, and foragers who shape the region’s food culture.

The photography, as seen in the picnic-on-the-coast spread, is expansive and cinematic, yet personal — equal parts lifestyle editorial and family photo album. It captures the magic of golden-hour meals, surf-side snacks, and everyday beauty along the coast. Recognized for its unique blend of design, storytelling, and approachable cooking, Coastal was named a Best Cookbook of Spring 2025 by Eater, the Los Angeles Times, and Epicurious.

Recipes Designed for Real Life

Unlike many aspirational cookbooks, Coastal is grounded in accessibility. Clark translates the breadth of California cooking into meals that are smart, approachable, and adaptable to family life. Chapters are organized around lived experiences:

Road Trip Snacks – Furikake Popcorn, CA Muddy Buddies, Perfect Meyer Lemonade
 

Fishing and Foraging – Dungeness Crab Rice, Lingcod Ceviche, Fries with Eyes
 

Lunch in the Vineyard – Smoked Mackerel with Lemon-Dill Relish, Barley and Wine Grape Salad
 

Back Home with the Kid – Fish Stick Hand Roll Bar, Matcha Mochi Waffles, Watermelon Aqua Fresca
 

Sprinkled throughout is tongue-in-cheek copy you don’t often see in cookbooks, playful asides and winks that make the recipes feel like a conversation with a friend, not a lecture from a chef.

Design Details

Typography choices echo the coastal vibe: rounded, friendly sans-serifs paired with bold numerals that give the layout a road-sign clarity. The design feels both modern and approachable, emphasizing usability without sacrificing style. It’s a book you want on your coffee table as much as your kitchen counter.

More Than a Cookbook

Coastal blurs the line between cookbook and design object. It’s a celebration of California’s food culture and aesthetic sensibility, merging recipes, photography, and storytelling into one cohesive experience. For design enthusiasts, the layout and imagery inspire. For home cooks, the recipes bring the spirit of the coast into the kitchen.