California is home to some of the best pizza you will ever taste. From San Francisco to San Diego, tiny neighborhood spots are turning out slices that rival anything you would find in New York or Chicago.
Whether you love a crispy thin crust or a deep-dish loaded with toppings, the Golden State has a pizza place for you. Get ready to meet 12 unforgettable joints that keep locals coming back again and again.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – San Francisco, California
Tony Gemignani is a world pizza champion, and one bite of his Neapolitan pies will tell you exactly why. Located in the heart of North Beach, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana has won more awards than most restaurants dream about.
The menu covers styles from Neapolitan to Detroit, so every visit feels like a new adventure.
The wood-fired oven burns at blazing temperatures to create that signature leopard-spotted crust. Reservations fill up fast, so plan ahead if you want a seat at this legendary San Francisco table.
Joe’s Pizza – Los Angeles, California
Sometimes all you need is a no-frills slice done exactly right. Joe’s Pizza brought its famous New York street-style pies all the way from Greenwich Village to Los Angeles, and the West Coast welcomed it with open arms.
The thin, foldable crust has just the right chew, and the sauce-to-cheese ratio is spot on every single time.
Grab a slice at the counter and eat it standing up for the full New York experience. Affordable prices make it easy to grab two slices without thinking twice.
Pizzeria Bianco – Los Angeles, California
Chris Bianco built a pizza empire in Phoenix before bringing his magic to Los Angeles, and the hype is completely justified. Every pie at Pizzeria Bianco is made with carefully sourced ingredients and baked in a wood-burning oven that gives each crust a beautiful, smoky character.
The Rosa pizza, topped with red onion, rosemary, and Parmigiano Reggiano, is a menu legend.
The space feels warm and welcoming, like a neighborhood trattoria you never want to leave. Expect a line, but trust that every minute of the wait is worth it.
Prince Street Pizza – Los Angeles, California
Cupped pepperoni sitting in little pools of grease on a thick, airy square slice — that is the Prince Street Pizza promise, and it delivers every time. Originally from New York City, this spot landed in Los Angeles and immediately earned a loyal following of square-slice devotees.
The Spicy Spring pie is the one everyone talks about, featuring a mountain of crispy, curled pepperoni.
The crust has a satisfying crunch on the outside while staying pillowy soft inside. It is the kind of slice that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about pizza.
Apollonia’s Pizzeria – Los Angeles, California
Night owls in Los Angeles know that Apollonia’s Pizzeria is the go-to spot when a craving hits after midnight. Open until 4 a.m. on weekends, this place has saved countless hungry Angelenos with its giant, floppy New York-style slices.
The cheese pull on every slice is genuinely impressive, and the tomato sauce has a bright, fresh flavor that keeps you reaching for another piece.
The vibe is casual and fun, with a crowd that ranges from post-concert goers to late-shift workers. Few things in life beat a hot slice at 2 a.m. in Los Angeles.
Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria – Berkeley, California
Worker-owned since 1967, Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria in Berkeley operates on a spirit of community and creativity that shows up in every bite. Only one pizza is served each day, and the rotating vegetarian menu keeps regulars guessing in the best possible way.
Toppings range from roasted corn and jalapeño to caramelized onion and goat cheese, depending on the season.
A live jazz band often plays outside while customers eat on the sidewalk, making the whole experience feel like a block party. This is Berkeley pizza culture at its most joyful and genuine.
Zachary’s Chicago Pizza – Oakland, California
Zachary’s Chicago Pizza has been feeding Oakland since 1983, and its stuffed deep-dish pies have developed a cult following that stretches far beyond the Bay Area. The spinach and mushroom stuffed pizza is the crowd favorite, packed with so much filling that one slice is genuinely a full meal.
A thick layer of chunky tomato sauce sits on top, giving every bite a hearty, satisfying punch.
Lines form before the restaurant even opens, especially on weekends, so arriving early is a smart move. Once you taste a Zachary’s deep-dish, thin crust will feel like a distant memory.
Little Star Pizza – San Francisco, California
Little Star Pizza put a California spin on Chicago deep-dish, and San Francisco absolutely fell in love with the result. The cornmeal crust adds a subtle crunch and slightly sweet flavor that sets it apart from traditional deep-dish spots.
The Little Star signature pie, loaded with ricotta, spinach, mushrooms, and roasted red peppers, is a masterpiece of layered flavors and textures.
The cozy, dimly lit atmosphere makes it a fantastic spot for a relaxed dinner with friends or family. Order early because the wait for a fresh deep-dish pie is part of the experience here.
Golden Boy Pizza – San Francisco, California
Tucked into a tiny corner of North Beach since 1978, Golden Boy Pizza is the kind of place that feels like it belongs in a time capsule — in the absolute best way. The pizza here is baked in rectangular pans and cut into thick, focaccia-like slices that are unlike anything else in the city.
The clam and garlic topping is a San Francisco icon, drawing curious visitors and devoted regulars alike.
Cash only and counter service keep things refreshingly old-school. Standing on the sidewalk with a warm slice in hand is a true San Francisco rite of passage.
Bronx Pizza – San Diego, California
San Diego is not usually the first city that comes to mind for New York-style pizza, but Bronx Pizza has been quietly changing that reputation since 2000. The slices here are wide, thin, and perfectly greasy in that classic New York way that makes you fold it down the middle without even thinking.
Owner Jim Soriero brought authentic East Coast technique to the West Coast and never compromised on quality.
The straightforward menu keeps the focus on doing a few things exceptionally well. Regulars swear it is the most honest slice in all of Southern California.
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Little Italy – San Diego, California
Walking into Filippi’s Pizza Grotto in San Diego’s Little Italy feels like stepping back into the 1950s, and that nostalgic charm is a huge part of its appeal. Open since 1950, this family-run institution has been feeding generations of San Diegans with hearty, old-school Italian-American pies.
The sauce is rich and savory, the cheese is generous, and the crust has that classic hand-tossed character that modern pizza chains simply cannot replicate.
Red-checkered tablecloths and Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling complete the atmosphere. Few places in California carry this much pizza history under one roof.
Pizzeria Picco – Larkspur, California
Larkspur may be a small Marin County town, but Pizzeria Picco punches well above its weight when it comes to pizza quality. Chef Bruce Hill crafted a menu that celebrates local, seasonal California ingredients without ever losing sight of what makes a pizza truly great.
The thin, blistered crust is charred just enough to add smokiness, while toppings like house-made sausage and fresh farm vegetables shine brightly.
The soft-serve organic ice cream served alongside pizza has become its own legendary attraction. Pizzeria Picco proves that incredible pizza does not require a big-city zip code.