Every region of California has delicious food, and there is much to explore throughout the state. You can taste the best of just about every cuisine, whether you love Latin American dishes or French gastronomy. Let’s look at some of the standout cities in California that are a food lover’s paradise.
Santa Ynez Valley
Santa Ynez Valley is a hotspot famed for its wine production. Wherever there’s great wine, chances are, you’ll find great food. This is the case here, where you can find everything from elegant Italian dishes to modern twists on old Mexican classics. While not a busy area, the valley offers plenty of high-end eats.
Sebastopol
Sebastopol is a small city in Sonoma County, one of the hearts of America’s wine country. The food scene here is centered around wine, and you won’t find many menus that exclude locally-produced beverages. The restaurants here serve farm-fresh cuisine that are ideal for food lovers of all kinds.
Oxnard
Oxnard is a big city just west of Los Angeles, home to more than 200,000 residents. This seaside city packs a major punch with a culinary scene that can’t be missed. Oxnard has more than 40 restaurants in its downtown alone, and because of its location on the water, you’ll find fresh seafood that will make your mouth water.
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove is a scenic coastal community with a history stretching back hundreds of years. Pacific Grove’s food is a big part of what makes this picturesque city a must-see. From traditional Paraguayan food to the world-famous Passionfish restaurant, Pacific Grove provides an abundance of options for every taste.
Eureka
Eureka is a coastal city in Northern California famed for its redwood forests. From the locally-caught oysters to the artisanal chocolates, much of the food you’ll enjoy in Eureka will be freshly made within the city. Eureka also provides international cuisines ranging from Indian and Mexican to Thai.
Healdsburg
Healdsburg is a small city in the Sonoma region of wine country, a scenic and quaint hotspot that is a wine lover’s dream. Healdsburg also offers fresh farm-to-table food options to accompany the wine and has everything from cozy eateries to gourmet restaurants.
Sacramento
California’s state capital isn’t just important regarding the politics of the state. It is also one of California’s top places for food lovers. It is a major city, meaning you can find cuisine of every kind here. From tacos to dumplings, and from pizza to curries, Sacramento has a wide variety of quality food options.
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is located on California’s Central Coast, a scenic and historic city with a lot to offer. If you like fresh food, head to San Luis Obispo’s famed Downtown Farmers’ Market, with locally-grown produce and treats. San Luis Obispo also has high-end dessert spots, like the Madonna Inn Cafe, top-notch shellfish restaurants, and an array of delicious options.
Santa Maria
Santa Maria is another city on the Central Coast famed for its food scene. There are two defining aspects of the Santa Maria food experience. The first is the locally-grown wine. The second is Santa Maria’s famous barbecue, known throughout California as some of the best barbecue in the state.
Winters
Winters is a small city in Northern California near Sacramento known as a foodie hotspot. Farm-to-table culture is a defining aspect of Winters’s food scene. Because it is an agricultural hub, you can taste the difference in the food grown just miles away. It is another great destination for barbecue lovers as well.