California’s best food and drink experiences

For lovers of good food and wine, it’s hard to beat a trip through California. Nourished farmland, sunny climes, and the rich cultural diversity of its people make the Golden State a hotbed for culinary innovation. Throw in outstanding vineyards, the country’s oldest Chinatown, and one of the finest cheesemakers outside of France, and you’ve got all the ingredients for the tastiest of American road trips. Ready to discover California’s most exciting food and drink experiences? Here’s your hit list.

Find the perfect wine pairing in Napa Valley 

Already producing some of the finest wines in the world, Napa has also staked its claim as California’s most appealing foodie corner, where polished tasting rooms sit cheek-by-jowl with Michelin-starred restaurants. Those starting their journey from San Francisco can soak it up with a half-day Wine Country tour that includes tastings at two hand-picked boutique wineries. Or if you’re already in Napa Valley, book a winery tour that includes a picnic lunch surrounded by one of its most scenic vineyards.

The key to discovering Napa Valley’s famous wines is choosing an option that includes transport — no one wants to be the designated driver when there’s an award-winning wine to taste at every turn. Want an extra fun way to get around? A trolley tour of off-track wineries in a converted open-top cable car is thoroughly charming.

Discover another jewel of Wine Country in Sonoma Valley

Came to Northern California for the wine? Then don’t limit your visit to just one of Wine Country’s gems. Sonoma is just a hop, skip, and a jeroboam away from Napa, and a day trip from San Francisco will open the door to three renowned wine estates across both valleys. As well as incredible views and lunch in downtown Sonoma, you’ll learn all about the grape-to-glass process and how to taste the special notes in each variety.

If you prefer to split it up, there’s plenty to discover in Sonoma Valley alone, whether you take a wine tour from San Francisco or make your own way around the stunning landscape. There’s a trolley tour in Sonoma Valley, too, if that was really what you were visiting for.

Get a taste of Los Angeles’ best Latin flavors

Given Southern California’s proximity to Latin America, it’s no surprise that its food scene is bursting with great Latin flavors. Around half of Los Angeles’ population is of Latino or Hispanic origin, and that number jumps to almost 100 percent in East LA, home to the largest Hispanic community in the US. Head here for probably the best tacos and empanadas you’ve ever had or take a tour of the neighborhood and taste generations-old recipes at some of its most cherished family-run restaurants.

Quench your thirst on a sunset tour of San Diego’s craft breweries

San Diego is heaven for craft beer fans, with 150 breweries spread across the city. You’ll find everything from traditional ales to Mexican-style lagers and even high-tech fermentation labs where you can hone your palate with the help of science. Want to taste the very best? Sample no less than 15 of them on a brewery tour timed perfectly to coincide with that spectacular West Coast sunset.

Taste your way around the country’s oldest Chinatown in San Francisco

The oldest Chinatown in the US, this must-visit district of San Francisco spans 30 blocks of atmospheric alleyways, Buddhist temples, and exciting eateries. But this bustling neighborhood, where streets overflow with baskets of dragon fruit and everyone has an opinion on the best dim sum joint, can be bewildering. Get a local’s insider scoop on the best places to eat on a walking tour of Chinatown. You’ll taste your way around the highlights, from perfectly baked buns and dim sum to Hong Kong-style sweet custard tarts, skipping the lines at the most popular spots.

Learn how to roast your own coffee in Fairfax

Always wanting to raise your barista game every time you get a perfectly poured swan on your latte? Go one step further and start with the beans at a fun coffee-roasting workshop in Fairfax, just north of San Francisco. You’ll learn the ancient art of hand-roasting and sip an enticing brew made from the husk of a coffee cherry. You’ll leave with a bag of your personally roasted beans and enough know-how to never have to buy pre-roasted again.

Take a gourmet tour of Downtown LA

Downtown Los Angeles (or DTLA to most) is a feast for the senses, a place where smoking-hot BBQ joints nestle between chic boulangeries and falafel spots. From new kids on the block to iconic institutions, each one has a story to tell. Hear them on a DTLA food tour where you’ll be introduced to the signature dishes of the best of the bunch. Just be sure to save room for the grand finale — the Americana delights of the Nickel Diner. Their maple bacon donuts are legendary.

Cruise Temecula from the sidecar of a vintage motorbike  

Southern California’s wine scene often flies under the radar. Still, aficionados looking for world-class vineyards minus the crowds should head to Temecula. This off-the-radar gem boasts 50 wineries and a distinctive microclimate likened to Tuscany, producing particularly delicious grapes. Drink it up from the vantage point of a tandem sidecar as your private chauffeur glides through the lush Californian landscape, making pitstops at local vineyards along the route.

Visit the country’s oldest cheese company in Petaluma

Could Northern California give Normandy a run for its money in the world-renowned cheese-making stakes? A visit to the Marin French Cheese Company in Petaluma suggests so. This creamery has been churning out artisan cheese, including award-winning brie and camembert, since 1865. Stock up on picnic ingredients, including locally made wine, sandwiches, and handmade cheeses, before throwing down a blanket for a feast in the picturesque grounds.

Take home a bottle of rare citrus olive oil from San Luis Obispo

Tiber Canyon Ranch lies in the golden hills between the gorgeous Pismo Beach and the Santa Lucia Mountains in San Luis Obispo. This little slice of Tuscan-style paradise is the place to sample award-winning citrus-flavored olive oils. The scenic ranch sells ingredients like blackberry-infused vinegar and mandarin-infused oil. Just plan ahead — visits are by appointment only.

Tick the box for wine and beer drinkers in Paso Robles

Paso Robles, situated midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is the people-pleaser of Wine Country destinations. Hidden among the numerous vineyards, which also include sculpture gardens and speakeasies, you’ll find the Firestone Walker Brewery. This innovative 25-year-old brewery offers tours and a taproom serving oak-aged lager and double-barreled ales.

Zipline and sip wine in Santa Margarita

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Margarita Vineyard as you soar above the estate on an adrenaline-pumping zipline adventure. After your bird’s-eye view, come back down to earth for adventure in taste — charcuterie, cheese, and fine wine. Enjoy a selection from the renowned Santa Margarita winery as you learn about the profiles and characteristics of each variety.

Pick, eat, and drink apples in Julian

Julian is a charismatic former Gold Rush town, but today you’re much more likely to find fresh fruit than gold nuggets. Fruit orchards and cider mills cover the landscape, and picking your own is a fun activity when you are in the area. Of course, sampling the local cider and heading to Moms Pie House for a slice of their famous apple pie is a must — the flaky crust will have you coming back for more in no time.

Get your passport stamped in Santa Barbara’s wine country

This is the kind of passport that you won’t mind renewing. The Santa Barbara Passport connects the dots between the best vineyards in the Santa Barbara wine country. With a complimentary tasting at each of the 21 carefully curated vintners, your passport will take you through Solvang, Buellton, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Foxen Canyon, and Santa Barbara. Choose the weekend or midweek passports and start sipping.

Read more

• Epic outdoor adventure experiences in California
• Going off the beaten path in Northern California
• The best things to do in San Francisco

Produced in partnership with Visit California

California’s best food and drink experiences