Marin County
Everyone in town jockeys for outdoor seats among the flower boxes for fish and chips, barbecued oysters, or buttermilk pancakes with damn good coffee…
Must-see restaurants in California
Big Sur
Put together a picnic of freshly made sandwiches from this family-owned deli paired with drinks and chips from the attached store, which also carries…
Greater Palm Springs
This Jewish deli has polished surroundings and simply massive slices of cake, mirroring the enormity of its hot and cold sandwiches. Pizza, pasta and…
West of I-5
Local to the core, this deli's long list of yummy sandwiches is named after regulars. Bob is a favorite, named for the first owner and stacked with ham,…
Calistoga
Locals crowd the outdoor beer garden on Sundays. Midweek we prefer the country dining room's big oakwood tables – a homey spot for simple American cooking…
Russian River Area
Pie’s the thing at this roadside bakery – and yum, that flaky crust. Apple is predictably good, especially in autumn, but the blueberry is our fave, made…
Central Coast
Pretty Good Advice combines a fun ambience with modern takes on sandwiches and burgers – try the Timo Time with kimchi, a fried egg and crispy potato –…
Coastal Highway 1
Enjoy the Wizard of Oz theme as you tuck into one of 50 varieties of omelet, crepe or burrito, some with local Dungeness crab. Predictably enough, there's…
Coastal Highway 1
Everyone swears by this excellent, retro-chic classic diner for a creative range of breakfast (try the wild-rice waffles) and lunch treats, including a…
Death Valley National Park
Stop by here for finger-lickin' brisket, pulled pork or ribs served with a side of toothsome coleslaw or a fresh summer salad. It's not always open, so…
Coastal Highway 1
Make a stop here for gourmet foods, gifts, Mendocino County wines and a great deli menu with build-your-own sandwiches, burritos, bagels and wraps, and an…
Along Highway 101
Locals pack Lauren’s for eclectic homemade cookin’ and a good wine list. Musicians sometimes jam on the stage by the front window, plus there are weekly…
Coastal Orange County
Near the pier is this brunch spot for sweet and savory crêpes – try the molten chocolate or chicken with maple barbecue sauce. Take a seat on the sidewalk…
Santa Monica
The Main St version of Santa Monica's farmers market is a family affair. Musicians entertain the kids and families picnicking on the lawn on a fresh-made…
Malibu & Pacific Palisades
Not far past the Malibu line in Ventura County, Neptune’s Net catches Range Rovers, road bikes and rad choppers with fried-shrimp-and-beer hospitality on…
Santa Cruz
Vegan and organic ingredients all feature, but there's absolutely no trade-off in flavor with Buttercup's cupcakes and desserts. The downtown location is…
Gold Country
Huge breakfast scrambles, every possible variation on eggs Benedict and a sunny patio keep Annie’s packed. Worth the wait, though post-church lines on a…
Russian River Area
Part general store, part cafe, Willow Wood serves knockout California comfort food such as smoked-trout salad, polenta with goat's cheese and roasted…
Eastern Sierra
Don't miss the coffee and home-baked goodies at the cute East Side Bake Shop; check its calendar for fun local music at weekends. Call ahead during winter…
Along Highway 101
For quick eats, this place is tops for breakfast – and is the place for gossip. Prices are great, portions are big and fresh, and there's an infectious,…
Sacramento
The 'hyper-seasonal' menu includes the city's best fancy brunch (the lamb benedict is a decadent delight) and artfully prepared comfort food, all served…
The Deserts
This lively joint with its cheerful decor serves the best Mexican food in town, including delicious huevos rancheros. The bar staff knows how to whip up a…
Sacramento
Look for 'Jugglin Joe' – a cheerful, ice-cream-slinging neon giant – towering above this 1940s soda fountain. Gunther's makes its own ice cream and frozen…
Calistoga
The sheriff dines at this indoor-outdoor barbecue joint, which serves smoky ribs, chicken, tri-tip steak and burgers, plus beer and wine. It closes early…
Napa
This lively gastropub, styled with reclaimed wood and tufted-leather banquettes, is good for a burger and beer. Great fries and plenty of seasonal…
Joshua Tree National Park
This well-respected restaurant has its own organic garden and does burgers and salads at lunchtime, and grilled meats and toothsome pastas for dinner. No…
Gold Country
A stop for cheeses from California and beyond. Call ahead for a picnic box of cheese, a baguette and even a little cutting board and knife to enjoy on…
Central Coast
A few miles east of Capitola in Aptos, Aptos St BBQ pairs smoked tri-tip beef and pulled pork with 37 different California craft beers on tap and live…
Carmel-by-the-Sea
ROUX combines French and Spanish flavors amid their shaded garden setting. Try the 'Surf & Turf' paella for two people. Reservations are recommended for…
Healdsburg
This cavernous bakery-cafe is good for an easy lunch of salads and sandwiches on house-baked bread, plus all-day breakfast dishes including omelets and…
San Diego
Rockin’ and raucous local brewpub chain with surf art, rock music and ‘anti-wimpy’ pizzas to go with the signature Sharkbite Red Ale. Multiple locations.
Coastal Highway 1
Excellent farmers market with lots of variety of produce and almost exclusively organic. Also has plants, baked goodies and a convivial welcoming…
Central Coast
Housed in a heritage building dating from 1874, the Cremer House combines excellent seasonal menus with a diverse list of Californian wines and craft…
Central Coast
With local farmers, food booths and rockin' live music, this outdoor street party takes over downtown’s oceanfront promenade weekly from spring to fall.
Napa
This Napa classic gets deafeningly loud, but it's worth bearing for tender-crusted pizzas, salad-topped 'manciata' bread, good Caesar salads and pastas.
Monterey
Rain or shine, head downtown on Tuesdays for farm-fresh fruit and veggies, artisan cheeses, international food stalls and a scrumptious 'baker's alley.'
Healdsburg
Incredible locavore small-batch sweets (some gluten-free), including scrumptious cupcakes in unusual combos such as maple-bacon (available seasonally).
Russian River Area
The straightforward steaks-and-seafood menu is basic American and doesn’t distract from the wonderful river views. Great local wine list, full bar.
Along Highway 101
An excellent farmers market selling delicious locally produced organic produce, as well as honey, preserves, fresh flowers, cheese and baked goodies.
Santa Barbara
High-quality supermarket standards, plus a salad and soup bar. It's a short drive southwest of town, follow W Carrillo St which turns into Meigs Rd.
