The Deserts
Grab a turquoise swiveling stool at the counter or squeeze into a booth at this family-friendly diner that makes creative wraps (Thai, BBQ, Caesar) along…
Must-see restaurants in California
San Joaquin Valley
A vintage burger stand (part of a chain founded in nearby Lodi), where roller-skating carhops and classic cars on display move a lot of root beer floats…
Marin County
A little co-op grocery store behind the community center, the People’s Store serves fair-trade coffee and sells organic produce, fresh soup and excellent…
Lake Tahoe
No gimmicks at this 1960s fast-food stand, which grills juicy burgers and St Louis–style baby back ribs, and also fries up crispy onion rings and breaded…
Napa
This retro-flashback pink-striped diner, favored by Napa's little old ladies, has all-day breakfasts and white-bread lunches, served by matrons in heavy…
Berkeley
In North Berkeley's 'Gourmet Ghetto,' this small cafe has polka-dot tiles on the counter handmade by one of the artist-owners, and organic ingredients…
Death Valley National Park
Overlooking the golf course and the Panamint Range, this laid-back place has table and counter seating and a short menu featuring dogs, burgers and salads…
San Joaquin Valley
On the outskirts of town at Michael David Winery, this farmstand cafe slings big breakfast plates of fluffy omelets with country potatoes, cinnamon…
Marin County
Don’t leave town without sampling something buttery from this tiny, yet beloved country bakery. Indulging in a sweet bear-claw pastry and an organic…
San Luis Obispo
Home of unusually good flavor combos like bacon-maple and mint-chip donuts, served with cups of organic, fair-trade, locally roasted coffee. It’s…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
As funky and flavorful as Chinatown gets, this broke-down deli is deadly serious about its whole, quartered Peking duck and tangy spareribs, which are…
Mt Shasta Brewing Company Alehouse & Bistro
Mt Shasta Region
Try a tasty Shastafarian Porter or the rich, amber-colored Mountain High IPA. Brats, flatbread pizzas and grilled panini round out the brewpub menu; the…
Sequoia National Park
Small supermarket selling campfire food supplies, snacks, drinks and take-out deli picnic salads, sandwiches and freshly cooked barbecue meat (cooked on…
Sonoma Valley
Locals favor this order-at-the-counter Italian-American deli, with standout roast chicken, and homemade gnocchi and ravioli. At lunchtime there’s pizza…
San Diego
Exotic spices and fragrant cooking make this white-tablecloth Persian–Middle Eastern a favorite for giant kebabs and salads that zing with flavor. Come…
San Diego
Counter-service shop famous since 1940 for its taquitos, mordiditas (tiny taquitos), tamales and excellent breakfast burritos. Eat on plastic plate in a…
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Small supermarket deli counter makes a saucy sandwich of oakwood-grilled tri-tip beef and stocks all the accoutrements for a beach picnic, including…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Mr Ghirardelli sure makes a swell sundae. The legendary Twin Peaks comes with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, marshmallow topping and enough hot fudge to…
Mono Lake Region
The cafe at Annett's is a small, retro diner-style place with grey booths serving basic fare such as burgers, sandwiches and American breakfasts.
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
Recently reopened, this country kitchen offers a new menu of American comfort food, including meatloaf, steak and homemade lasagna. The garden is a lovely…
Central Coast
Honest Mexican food is slung from this family-owned taco trailer parked in the East Village on weekends. Fiery tacos, taquitos, quesadillas and burritos…
San Jose
Students and vegetarians queue for Vietnamese dishes such as the fake-meat pho and the heaped combo plates. Conveniently located on the border of the San…
Northern Mountains
Follow the aroma of garlic to this welcoming little chalet with a charming ambience. Dig into choice steaks and Italian-American classics, including…
Healdsburg
Fancy sandwiches and grab-and-go gourmet picnics. It’s pricey, but the plaza-view fireside terrace is ever so fun for scouting Botox blonds, while…
The Peninsula
Downtown, across from City Hall, this 110-year-old bakery makes grab-and-go breakfast pastries, pecan nut bars and tasty loaves of pumpkin bread. Tables…
Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area Fast Food Grill
Yosemite National Park
In winter, the ski area runs a fast-food grill serving pizza, burgers, nachos and chicken strips. More healthy-minded eaters can choose from a handful of…
Eastern Sierra
The cafe, serving locally grown produce and other products, is open for Friday, Saturday and Sunday-night dinners; an outdoor farmers market is held on…
The Peninsula
Chomp on seafood and burgers while you swill pints from a respectable menu of local brews and gaze out at the bay from a sheltered, heated outdoor patio…
San Diego
Enjoy a quick, spicy noodle bowl or a simple cup of green tea at the umbrella-shaded tables beside the peaceful Japanese Friendship Garden.
Sacramento & the Central Valley
The service won’t win awards for speed, but this local favorite draws both vegetarian and omnivorous mobs with its burly breakfast plates. Order anything…
Jack London Square Farmers Market
Oakland
On Sunday, a weekly farmers market takes over Jack London Sq. There's a great selection of organic food stuffs from around the region, and good community…
The Deserts
Step inside this jovial sports bar for burgers, flatbread pizzas, Irish nachos (made with fries) and craft beers on tap.
Sacramento
The wicker and palm in the windowed dining room offer a preview of the chef's style – a French-Italian spin on Central Valley ingredients. The day's catch…
San Joaquin Valley
More Tex than Mex, this excellent cafeteria packs in city workers for smoky, slow-roasted pit beef. The chili fries are a messy delight, and the…
San Diego
In this handsome former bank (c 1913), try mahimahi plates, huevos rancheros or anything with the righteous Mexican rice. A patio bar stays open until…
North Coast & Redwoods
If you’re just passing through and want something quick, come here. It raises its own grass-fed beef. Alas, the fries are frozen, but the burgers are…
San Diego
Adjacent to the Belly Up venue, come here for preshow upscale pub fare, like filet mignon sliders and Dijon-herb crusted salmon.
Yosemite National Park
When Glacier Point Rd is open, this unexciting snack bar at Glacier Point is the only place to eat. Hot dogs, chili dogs and premade sandwiches are all…
Joshua Tree Certified Farmers Market
Joshua Tree National Park
On Saturday mornings locals gather for gossip and freshly picked produce from local farmers in a parking lot next to Joshua Tree Health Foods, just west…
Marin County
You can spy the glassed-in kettles behind the bar at this brewpub. Point Reyes Porter and Mt Tam Pale Ale complement the menu of pizza, burgers and hearty…
