Triple Rock Brewery & Ale House
Berkeley
Opened in 1986, Triple Rock was one of the Bay Area's original microbreweries. The house beers and pub grub are okay, but the antique wooden bar and…
Must-see nightlife in Northern California
Napa Valley
The one true dive bar in Yountville, this is the place to swill tequila with vineyard workers early in the night; a young locals crowd grows as the night…
Santa Cruz
An escape from downtown Santa Cruz's dives, this upstairs pool hall has Brunswick Gold Crown tables for shooting stick, darts, shuffleboard and big-screen…
Santa Cruz
Pull up a seat at this Hawaii-themed tiki bar for mai tais, lilikoi (passion fruit) margaritas, zombie cocktails and happy-hour pupus (appetizers).
San Jose
If you seek a well-poured pint, friendly British-style Trials Pub, north of St James Park, has excellent cask ales on tap, pub grub and a fireplace in the…
Mt Shasta Region
If you're missing Starbucks, this place serves their coffee but is otherwise a homey, cafe where locals gossip while eating homemade pastries and light…
Sonoma
Don’t ask for Bud – there are only real brews here. Good hand-cut fries and shepherd’s pie. Live music Friday and Saturday evenings.
The Peninsula
Inside a 19th-century blacksmith's shop, this rustic, down-home country-and-western bar with motorcycles parked outside has loads of local color.
Santa Cruz
With dreamy ocean views, this spot pours California boutique wines, including hard-to-find bottles from around Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.
The Peninsula
This wine bar serves Californian and imported wines by the glass, bowls of truffled popcorn, paninis, cheese plates and Mediterranean nibbles.
Half Dome Village Peets Coffee Corner
Yosemite National Park
Located within the Half Dome Village Pavilion is this little place to grab a coffee and bagel or pastry. Future plans call for a Starbucks.
Lone Pine
Proper small town honky-tonk with swing doors and a Wild West vibe, plus shuffleboard and pool tables. It serves Mammoth Brewery beers.
Sacramento
A wide selection of California and European reds and a refined bistro menu make this a favorite for young professionals on the prowl.
Sacramento
This friendly dive stands out from Sac’s many workaday joints with its huge beer selection, tall pours and 1980s-loaded jukebox.
Sacramento & the Central Valley
Our favorite of Oroville's no-frills watering holes serves very cold beer and spicy Bloody Marys and has a shuffleboard table.
Sonoma
Thirty global vintages by the glass let you compare what you’re tasting in California with the rest of the world’s wines.
Central Coast
Catch an organic, fair-trade java buzz at Mr Toots Coffeehouse which has an art gallery, live music and ocean-view deck.
Napa
Live music Thursday to Sunday, TV sports nightly and a pet-friendly, riverfront patio. Often packed, usually messy.
Gold Country
Sonora's classic and fairly rugged hangout in the center of town. Bottles glitter like gold on the backlit bar.
Sacramento
Hip young patrons nurse organic free-trade coffee and chai morning to night in this steel and concrete space.
San Joaquin Valley
Campy decor, friendly bartenders and an indoor fire pit give this gay hangout lots of cozy atmosphere.
Berkeley
Open late, Au Coquelet is a popular stop downtown for coffee, pastries and late-night studying.
Calistoga
Live music plays on Sundays and one Saturday a month at this hoppin' corner bar-restaurant.
Redding & Around
Cafe in the Turtle Bay Museum Store serving hot and cold drinks and light snacks.
Napa
Dudes with beards swill craft beers and throw darts inside this lively pool hall.
Sacramento & the Central Valley
The house specializes in 31 variations of Long Island iced teas (most of which are around $3), so brace yourself. The only way to take in alcohol any…
San Joaquin Valley
Patrons sip colorful cocktails while bathed in blue neon at this (almost) swanky lounge. When the Giants are on, it takes on the vibe of a (almost) swanky…
West of I-5
Serving delicious Etna brews on tap, come here for the beer more than the ambience or food (mostly burgers).
