The Golden State of GASTRONOMY
From farm-to-table experiences to Michelin stars and fabulous wine, California is heaven for foodies
BOLD Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon tastes so much better when you can enjoy it among the vines. And sunsets are all the more beautiful when you watch them from a rooftop in Los Angeles, cocktail in hand.
Whether you’re dining at a farm where all the produce comes from right around you or a threeMichelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco, your taste buds will be dazzled in California.
The Golden State is the bread basket of the US, and with so many different cultural influences, you’ll always find something new to try.
BACK TO BASICS
Fresh produce is the cornerstone of Californian cuisine. The state’s farms produce a massive amount of the United States’ fresh fruit and vegetables – one third of all vegetables and two thirds of all fruits and nuts.
At the heart of it all is the Central Valley, 60 miles wide and 450 miles long, which provides a quarter of the country’s food yet accounts for just one per cent of US farmland.
Scattered throughout the Central Valley you’ll find an abundance of family-run farms and ranches, many of which offer immersive experiences, from fruit-picking and farm stays to tasting sessions and farm-to-table dinners. You’ll also find seasonal farmers’ markets selling artisanal products throughout the region, from Esparto in the north to Bakersfield in the south.
The state’s capital, Sacramento, is the perfect fusion of city and farm life, and is known as the birthplace of the farm-to-fork movement. Here you’ll find organic festivals and foodie celebrations throughout the year, as well as some of California’s most creative culinary hotspots.
The Golden State is home to a variety of world-class vineyards peppered throughout its wine regions, where you can enjoy tours, tastings and unique experiences.
In northern California, you’ll find the rolling hills of Napa Valley, one of the world’s premier wine destinations with over 400 wineries and winetasting rooms. Here, you’ll be able to savour some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the world.
Also in the north is Sonoma Valley, famed for its incredible Zinfandels, with everything from international wineries to family- family run estates. There are also plenty of under-the-radar wine destinations, including Mendocino along the state’s northern windswept coast; Temecula, a pillar of Southern California Wine Country; and Yolo County, with its charming boutique and family-owned wineries
California’s beer scene is also buzzing. There are more than 1,000 microbreweries across the state, with buzzing craft beer scenes in major cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.
California’s cities offer an incredible array of experiences for foodies. The state’s melting pot of cultures serves up all kinds of culinary delights, from classic French fare to Mexican marvels and rich Chinese flavours. You’ll find charming low-ley eateries and amazing food trucks of course, but the Golden State’s cities really shine when it comes to upscale dining.
You’ll find more than 80 Michelinstarred restaurants across the state, including seven three-star restaurants, which is more than any state in the US. You’ll find many of these in San Francisco, perhaps the stand-out stan city when it comes to fine dinin dining.
MEXICAN CUISINE
If you’re a fan of Mexican M food, a taco tour is a must. Start in Ci Cielito Lindo on Olvera Street in Downtown LA LA, where taquitos in i avocado sauce made m its first appeara appearance in California. Or head h down to Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista, Vis San Diego Country, close to the Mexican border. border When it comes to multic multicultural food, San Jose, surrounded by the rolling hills of Silicon Valley, might just be the best city in the state. Here you’ll find Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Mexican and Caribbean cuisines, to name just a few – perfect for a global culinary tour.
When it comes to epicurean delights, you’ll find culinary experiences across the Golden State, from humble farm-to-fork feasts to the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. California’s gastronomic offering is as diverse as it is delicious.
With so many different cultural influences, you’ll always find something new to try