California Fine Dining

California is where creative minds take chances, and it all begins with the food. From wood-fired grills and fiery Latino fare, to Pacific Rim fusion and rustic European favorites, California restaurants transform eating into deliciously global entertainment. With 38 percent of Americans describing themselves as “food lovers,” it’s no wonder that dining is the number-one activity for visitors
to California.

Home to cultures from around the world, California is a culinary melting pot where international flavors, from Bangkok to Brazil, animate the dining scene. Ethiopian? It’s here. Vietnamese? It’s here too. And don’t forget French, Mediterranean, Italian, Korean and nearly every other nationality you can, or can’t, think of. Then add an abundance of fresh California bounty, including artichokes, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, strawberries, asparagus, grass-fed lamb, salmon and seafood, to the international medley. The result is sophisticated cuisine that blends exotic spices with local ingredients to create Epicurean delights with a unique California flair.

Yet the ingredients are only the beginning. California cuisine makes each of the senses—not only the tastebuds—burst to life. Presentations are often spectacular. Aromatic sauces and spices inspire mouth-watering anticipation. Vibrant colors and a medley of textures create sophisticated works of culinary art that appear almost too good to eat.

At Roy’s in Newport Beach and Pebble Beach, an open kitchen invites diners to admire their artfully decorated plates as they move through the hands of talented chefs. Credited with pioneering Pacific Rim cuisine, Roy’s serves a flavorful fusion of classic European cooking styles, fresh Pacific seafood and authentic Asian ingredients.



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Croce’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar combines music, memorabilia and American contemporary cuisine in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. The creation of Ingrid Croce, wife of the late singer-songwriter Jim Croce, the restaurant has opened its doors to some of the country’s best-known chefs and showcases live jazz and rhythm & blues every night.

With over 72,000 restaurants, dining in California can be as distinctive and diverse as the menus. A near-perfect climate has made dining alfresco a popular year-round activity. Be awed by dramatic vistas of jagged coastline, take in expansive views of rolling vineyards, or ogle celebrities strolling by your table morning, noon and night. Or choose an inside table and savor meat-and-potatoes “comfort food” at a glamorous supper club, sample “rock-n-roll” sushi, or enjoy organic greens on focaccia in a busy bistro.



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At Shadowbrook Restaurant, nestled deep within the majestic redwoods of Capitola near Santa Cruz, a short tram ride down more than 100 steps or a walk along a lush garden path leads to what is perhaps one of the most romantic dining experiences in the world. Overlooking the scenic Soquel Creek, the hidden, ivy-covered restaurant serves mouthwatering steaks, seafood and pastries in full natural splendor.

At Tommy Tang’s in Los Angeles, youthful hipsters, aspiring actors and powerful Hollywood producers are among the see-and-be-seen crowd. Credited for introducing Thai cuisine to the U.S. dining scene in the late 1970s, Tommy Tang blends traditional Thai favorites with international ingredients from Western, French and Italian cooking to create one-of-a-kind gastronomic delights.

With everything from gourmet shrines to intimate eateries, dining is a high point in the California experience. From the Napa Valley wine country to San Diego’s beachside haunts, from San Francisco’s North Beach to LA’s celebrity-owned restaurants, California dining promises an exciting and enticing journey to the flavors of the world.