Carmel-by-the-Sea
Rustic French comfort food using seasonal local ingredients and an open kitchen baking wood-fired-oven pizzas packs couples into this bistro. Excellent…
Must-see restaurants in California
South Bay Beaches
This neighborhood storefront Italian joint fits like a well-worn shoe. The thin-crust pizzas, homemade ravioli, tangy cioppino and freshly baked bread,…
San Diego
This place makes four kinds of breakfast burritos that you eat out of a basket in view of Crystal Pier (patio seating available) alongside pancakes, eggs…
The Deserts
This homey cabin on the north shore is a great nosh spot for loading up on breakfast carbs before hitting the trail or dropping by for inspired comfort…
Santa Barbara County
A bakery, bistro and coffee shop in one, with a menu that gives a nod to Southern cuisine – not Southern California, but Southern as in New Orleans. Po'…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
Yes, it serves lunch, but you should come for the all-day breakfast with organic coffee and tea. There are two pages of mains that include four kinds of…
Calistoga
It looks like a white-tablecloth soda fountain, but All Seasons makes very fine meals, from a simple lasagna to composed dishes such as scallop, prawn,…
Gold Country
The class act in downtown Angels Camp puts out a serious, authentic northern Italian menu. The owners regularly hit Italy for more recipes, like the…
North Coast & Redwoods
A classy Mexican spot with art-filled walls and sultry Latin music to set the mood. The elevated cuisine (think spicy-sweet mole and tangy shrimp ceviche)…
Yosemite National Park
Enjoy tasty pizza at this buzzing eatery that becomes a chatty après-hike hangout in the late afternoon. Specialty pizzas like the Hog Heaven (pepperoni,…
Along Highway 101
Appropriately named, this place has an authentic ye olde pub atmosphere with its exposed brick walls and wood-paneled bar. Pub grub includes surf-and-turf…
Coastal Orange County
Pipes is in a strip mall not close to the beach, but surfers still come here to grab their breakfast burritos and eggy seaside scramblers. Come hungry,…
Sacramento
This tranquil vegetarian Buddhist diner serves steaming clay pots and curries. The Peaceful Existence Clay Pot – which includes a ‘chicken’ drumstick with…
Russian River Area
Inside a converted 1903 railroad station, Hopmonk’s serves 76 varieties of beer – served in type-specific glassware – that pair with a good menu of…
San Diego
In a tall-ceilinged space decorated like an Italian village complete with mini Ponte Vecchio, Mimmo’s deli serves salads, hot and cold sandwiches and…
Russian River Area
A country-Americana diner in a 19th-century grange, Cape Fear is visually charming, but it's erratic – except at weekend brunch when the kitchen makes…
San Joaquin Valley
Venture south of the Crosstown Freeway (Hwy 4) to (New) On Lok Sam, established in 1895 in the center of Stockton's lively Chinese settlement. The garlic…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
You have to know where you're going to find the Brazen Head, a tiny pub with low lighting and cozy nooks, and reliably good onion soup and steaks. The…
Jyun Kang Vegetarian Restaurant
Along Highway 101
Vegetarians (and vegans) will be swooning over the superb Asian-influenced dishes at this lunchtime restaurant located at the site of the City of Ten…
San Joaquin Valley
Perched on the pink stools at the counter, families dig into homemade ice cream with ingredients sourced from surrounding farms since 1930. Dreamy flavors…
Gold Country
Hugely popular with locals in the know, this creative restaurant has everything from salads to hearty steaks and seasonal specials such as summer squash…
Santa Ynez Valley
West of Hwy 101, just off Hwy 246, this old-fashioned, always-busy diner is where locals congregate for friendly service and the Wine Country’s best…
The Deserts
Upscale by Big Bear standards, with tablecloths at dinner, this cozy burrow gets a thumbs up for quality steaks but also manages to satisfy noncarnivores…
Marin County
There's no better stop for picnic lunch supplies than this roadside deli and grocery store, which sells handcrafted sandwiches, as well as local cheeses…
Russian River Area
This unfussy cafe serves everything from grass-fed burgers to macrobiotic wraps, stir-fries to huevos rancheros (corn tortilla with fried egg and chili…
Along Highway 101
Simple but right on the waterfront, come to this bright and completely unpretentious eatery for basics like pasta, burgers and pizza made from sustainable…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
It's remarkable that a food truck could contain a wood-burning oven, but herein lies the secret to Carmel's remarkably good single-serving blistered-crust…
Mt Shasta Region
This market sells groceries and organic produce to health-conscious eaters. The excellent cafe serves good coffee, fresh juices and an array of tasty –…
Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co
Gold Country
An open-plan modern place, open all day and serving cakes, pizzas and beer brewed on site. It has a generic feel compared to some of the quirky options in…
Sonoma Valley
Taste organic Sonoma and Marin cheeses, buy a scoop of lavender ice cream, or order a tri-tip barbecue sandwich or fresh spinach salad at this small…
Healdsburg
Ideal for lunch while wine tasting in Alexander Valley, Diavola makes outstanding salumi and thin-crust pizzas, served in an Old West, brick-walled space,…
Redding & Around
Go here to try the region's best wines (and many more beyond) alongside unpretentious yet classy food and live entertainment most nights. Ask the staff to…
Sausalito
Many Marin residents claim this place is the best sushi spot around and it's hard to argue. If you didn't reserve ahead, the wine and sake bar next door…
Gold Country
This colorful ice-cream and candy shop explodes with sugar in all its forms. Besides scoops, there are hand-dipped bars, chocolates and old-timey candies…
Gold Country
The stellar cafe menu here has a long wine list and many dishes, from parsley truffle fries to iron-skillet mussels, all great for sharing on the patio…
San Diego
Its location may be in a drab-looking shopping center just off I-5, but it’s the real deal for croissants and brioches (baked daily) and kick-start…
Hollywood
The best farmers market views in LA are yours from Yamashiro’s spectacular perch. In addition to organic produce, expect tasty prepared food and live…
Napa Valley
The valley’s original and always-packed roadhouse makes platters of crowd-pleasing, wood-fired, California comfort food: roasted meats, lamb shanks, pork…
Sonoma
Contemporary Portuguese cuisine is the focus at this just-off-the-plaza restaurant that serves excellent-value, proper sit-down meals, including a…
Marin County
Stop by this chic, bright bakery-cafe to pick up fresh loaves of bread, plus salads, sandwiches, pastries and strong coffee. There are other locations in…
