Santa Ynez Valley
An inspired, if meat-centric, menu allows farm-fresh ingredients to speak for themselves at this family-owned gourmet cafe and market. For breakfast and…
Santa Ynez Valley
An inspired, if meat-centric, menu allows farm-fresh ingredients to speak for themselves at this family-owned gourmet cafe and market. For breakfast and…
South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
Serving upscale Italian without pretension, this tiny romantic eatery pairs succulent pasta, seafood and meats with an award-winning 300-vintage wine list…
Westlake & Koreatown
The best pastrami sandwiches aren't in New York. They're at this retro deli, where the recipe and hand-carving of the meat hasn't changed since 1947…
La Jolla
The Euro-Cal cooking is as dramatic as the oceanfront location, thanks to the bottomless imagination of chef Trey Foshee. George’s has graced just about…
Long Beach & San Pedro
There's much to love about this bistro near downtown Long Beach: small-family-farm–raised meats, eggs and produce, an evolving menu of comfort foods…
Santa Ynez Valley
Rich, innovative small plates in an elegant but cozy setting make First & Oak Solvang's best dining experience. The menu changes with the seasons but you…
Oakland–Grand Lake Farmers Market
Oakland
A rival to San Francisco's Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, this bountiful weekly market hauls in bushels of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, ranched meats,…
Huntington Beach
The food court at HB's stunning new ocean-view mall offers some unique and fun restaurants for pressed sandwiches (Burnt Crumbs – the spaghetti grilled…
Coastal Highway 1
Fort Bragg’s must-visit pizzeria is known for its sophisticated wood-fired, brick-oven pizzas as much as for its long list of microbrews. Try the ‘Gustoso…
San Diego
Some diners only look old-fashioned. This one is the real deal from the 1940s, with red leatherette swivel stools and booths with minijukeboxes. It does…
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Santa Barbara
‘From sea to skillet to plate’ sums up this end-of-the-wharf seafood shack that’s more of a buzzing counter joint than a sit-down restaurant. Chase away…
San Diego
Since the flower-power days of 1969, OB’s legendary burger joint has served great shakes, massive baskets of onion rings and succulent hamburgers wrapped…
North Coast & Redwoods
Tucked into an intimate, warm-hued and bohemian-tinged setting, this spot is almost always busy. Choose from thin-crust pizzas, delicious salads (try the…
San Diego
In this casual grown-up fish shack, order at the counter, sidle up to a butcher-block table, sip craft beer or Mexican coke from a mason jar and tuck into…
San Francisco
Stop by this little neighborhood gem for coffee and wood-fired bagels on your way to the Presidio, or return in the evening for unmissable martinis. Start…
La Jolla
For tasty eats in a surf vibe right near the beach, head to Shore Rider's new mellow open-air patio, where they play California rock and serve beer on tap…
Berkeley
Excellent Burmese fare includes some of the Bay Area's more authentic takes on mohinga (fish noodle soup), ohn no kauk swe (coconut-curry chicken soup),…
Carmel-by-the-Sea
In a brick-lined courtyard, this vivaciously elegant restaurant pairs art and candlelight with food inspired by Oaxacan flavors and an entire library's…
San Diego
Eat honestly priced, pork-inspired slow food in a cute outdoor patio with natural wooden features. Wash dishes like the triple-threat pork sandwich (with…
Lake Tahoe
Head west of town toward Carnelian Bay, where this always-packed, cheery wooden shack (never, in fact, a post office) serves scrumptious breakfasts:…
Berkeley
Berkeley does not lack for good Chinese food, but this enormous, upscale restaurant elevates the genre with Northern Chinese specialties like duck-bone…
Greater Palm Springs
Hidden away in the back of the ornate 1920s El Paseo building, a large patio with olive trees leads to this starkly beautiful space. At its center is a…
Malibu & Pacific Palisades
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's empire of luxe Japanese restaurants began in LA, and the Malibu outpost is consistently one of LA's hot spots. East of the pier, it…
Santa Monica
We love this place for its small-batch wines, incredible pizzas, terrific breakfasts (creamy polenta and poached eggs anyone?), breads and pastries, all…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
With more than 150 vendors and an awe-inspiring selection of local produce, meat, flowers and baked goods, this market forms the vibrant heart of Davis…
San Luis Obispo
The county’s biggest and best weekly farmers market turns downtown SLO’s Higuera St into a giant street party, with smokin’ barbecues, overflowing fruit…
North Coast & Redwoods
Gyppo injects a jolt of youthful energy into this aging community, brewing a dozen of its own ales and showcasing them alongside local wines and ciders…
The Deserts
Inside a country cabin sheltered by pine trees, a classically trained chef puts new spins on his Italian grandmother’s recipes. The outdoor deck has…
Santa Barbara
Just try walking past this place on State St if you have a sweet tooth. A Santa Barbara institution since 1949, McConnell's uses local milk and other…
Legends Books, Antiques & Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain
Gold Country
The place to sip sarsaparilla, snack on a Polish dog or share a scoop of huckleberry ice cream at a 26ft-long mahogany bar here since 1850. Then browse…
Sonoma
One of Sonoma’s top tables for earthy New American cooking, La Haye only uses produce sourced from within 60 miles. Its dining room gets packed cheek-by…
Lake Tahoe
For breakfast, everyone heads to the friendly Fire Sign for down-home omelets, blueberry pancakes, eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, fresh made-from…
The Deserts
Elevating pub grub to fine-food status, this convivial brewpub spikes its menu with truffle kettle chips, mac 'n' cheese with smoked lobster and Scotch…
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
Find yourself a seat around the central counter or facing busy Abbot Kinney to tuck in to stone-oven pizzas, handmade pastas and veggie faves such as…
Along Highway 101
Yes, there are arty pizzas with toppings like braised duck and wild boar sausage, but there are also amazing salads, pastas and meat dishes – the heritage…
Santa Barbara
The usual Mexican crowd-pleasers are all here (tacos al pastor, quesadillas, agua fresca) but made to such perfection that previous versions pale in…
North Coast & Redwoods
This low-lit nautical-themed restaurant on the plaza promises sustainably harvested seafood, locally sourced produce and thoughtfully crafted cocktails…
Coastal Orange County
Raw-fish fans gather barside at this beach-chic sushi bar with live bands some nights in the back room. Baked scallop parmesan, ahi tataki wraps, and…
Lake Tahoe
This casual, family run restaurant with local art splashed on the walls does it all: from-scratch soups, heaped salads, sandwiches, incredible burgers,…
Along Highway 101
The best restaurant in Lake County serves a California-cuisine menu of wild salmon and chili-rubbed flank steak, as well as a small-plates menu of harvest…