The Best Craft Beer Towns in California
California is a bucket list destination for craft beer enthusiasts. Throughout the state, scores of microbreweries and taprooms have given rise to a thriving craft beer movement led by innovators. From hoppy West Coast IPAs to experimental brews, there’s a pint for every palate. Several destinations also boast craft beer festivals and beer trails for even more buzzworthy adventures. So pack your bags, grab your growler, and toast to a beercation in California.
San Diego
Home to more than 150 independent craft breweries, San Diego is said to have more craft breweries than any other city in the U.S. The city that epitomizes Southern California’s sunny beach vibe has secured national rank as the Capital of Craft – craft beers, that is. There’s even an annual brew named for the honor. Every year, members of the San Diego Brewers Guild team up to release a Capital of Craft IPA to kick off San Diego Beer Week, which is held each fall. The celebratory brew is served on tap for a limited time only in San Diego County. More craft beer-related events are held throughout the year. To make the most of a beercation in San Diego, book a tour through Brewery Tours of San Diego or San Diego Brew Tours.
Where to Stay
Hillcrest House B&B is located in the famous Hillcrest neighborhood, within walking distance of shops, entertainment, restaurants, and breweries. Each of the inn’s individually styled guest rooms is named for nearby San Diego attractions.
Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa is a growing craft beer destination situated among the rolling vineyards of Sonoma County wine country. Named in USA Today’s 2024 list of Top 10 Beer Cities, Santa Rosa boasts an impressive list of established and emerging breweries, tasting rooms, historic pubs, and beer festivals. Here, everyone from studied brewers to craft connoisseurs to casual drinkers will find a beer worthy of a raised glass. Santa Rosa breweries include the award-winning Russian River Brewing Company, makers of the popular limited-release Pliny the Younger brew, HenHouse Brewing Co., Moonlight Brewing Company, Old Possum Brewing Co., and Fogbelt Brewing Company, among others. In February, the town hosts an annual month-long pub crawl called FeBREWary.
Where to Stay
Guests at The Gables Wine Country Inn enjoy easy access to half a dozen breweries located within three miles of the Gothic Victorian estate. Mention “Best Beer City” in the online reservation notes and receive a 4-pack of local brews at check-in.
Fort Bragg
Craft brewing is a legacy art form in Fort Bragg and neighboring Mendocino County communities. Since the 1980s, innovative local brewers have been perfecting their recipes, developing distinctive ales, stouts, lagers, and more. In Fort Bragg, North Coast Brewing Co. is a landmark that has been crafting tasty brews since 1988. Among its famous labels are the Scrimshaw Pilsner, Red Seal Ale, and Foggy Day IPA. On the north end of town, small-batch brews with creative twists are on tap at Overtime Brewing Co. The latest addition to the Fort Bragg lineup is Tall Guy Brewing. Their tap room is a new favorite among locals and since they only sell direct, their slogan is “If you want the beer, you gotta get it here.”
Where to Stay
Noyo Harbor Inn in Fort Bragg is a handsomely restored Arts and Crafts-style hotel with a rotating selection of local favorites on tap and by the bottle. The inn also hosts brewmaster dinners throughout the year. Secluded on a bluff with stunning ocean views, Brewery Gulch Inn offers a relaxing getaway on the Mendocino coast.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara craft breweries are creating a buzz. In recent years, the beer scene in this California Riviera enclave has grown from a small group of artisan brewers to a thriving community of microbreweries, taprooms, and pour houses. The Funk Zone in Santa Barbara is a hot spot for a variety of tasting experiences. Numerous hometown breweries, including Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and Validation Ale, are tucked among this former warehouse district’s treelined streets, all within walking distance of each other. On State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, Institution Ale Company pours tall brews in a variety of unique flavors while M Special keeps it hopping with live music, trivia, comedy, and Astronomy on Tap. Committed to environmental awareness, Night Lizard Brewing Company crafts beers named after endangered species.
Where to Stay
The Craft House Inn is a completely revamped 100-year-old boutique bed and breakfast near downtown offering craft cocktail-making classes and private patio tastings for local brews and wines. The upscale Hotel Santa Barbara is centrally located on State Street within walking distance of several craft breweries including Institution Ale and M Special. (Editor’s note: At press time, Hotel Santa Barbara was undergoing phased renovations. Contact the hotel directly for updates.)
Chico
Chico is a hub of craft beer innovation. This college town located about 90 miles north of Sacramento is home to several independent craft breweries, including the nationally-recognized Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., maker of the iconic Sierra Nevada Pale Ale which debuted in 1980 and revolutionized the industry. While much of Chico’s brewing legacy can be enjoyed in the walkable downtown corridor, microbreweries and taprooms are opening doors off the beaten path of town. For an introductory taste of Chico, local favorites Farmers Brewing Co., Ramble West Brewing, and Secret Trail Brewing Co. offer excellent starting points. For the gluten-averse, Eckert Malting and Brewing offers rice-based beer.
Where to Stay
Built in 1906, the Goodman House is a grand Colonial Revival with five beautifully appointed guest rooms. The inn is located on a broad, tree-lined esplanade within a mile of downtown and other Chico attractions.
Santa Cruz
Craft beer is as synonymous with Santa Cruz as the Boardwalk, surfing, and the Monterey Bay. Like the character-rich neighborhood pockets of the West Side, East Side, Santa Cruz Mountains, and South County agricultural communities, dozens of local breweries and taprooms showcase unique flavors that keep people coming back for more. Visitors new to the Santa Cruz brewery scene will find a great starting point at such local favorites as Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing and Humble Sea in Santa Cruz, Steel Bonnet Brewing Company in Scotts Valley, Discretion Brewing in Soquel, and Corralitos Brewing Company in Watsonville.
Where to Stay
In Santa Cruz’s Live Oaks neighborhood, Belle Notte Inn is just two blocks from Twin Lakes Beach and centrally located to many Santa Cruz attractions and craft breweries. Overlooking the Boardwalk and Santa Cruz wharf, West Cliff Inn is a luxurious B&B within walking and biking distance to the beach, restaurants, and Santa Cruz landmarks.
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo (SLO) is raising the bar as a thriving craft beer destination on the Central Coast. The region is home to dozens of microbreweries stretching from the downtown streets of San Luis Obispo to the fertile rolling hills of Paso Robles. While beer enthusiasts have their pick of nearly any type of beer crafted by local brewers, West Coast IPA is among the most widely produced beers in the area. Collaborations between community brewers are also common here, yielding unique and limited-series batches. The SLO brewery scene offers more than a tasting experience. The community-centric breweries and taprooms often feature local bands, popup dining, and special events. In downtown SLO, Antigua Brewing Company crafts beer from hops grown locally on their family farm while Central Coast Brewing is known for their one-of-a-kind ales and lagers.
Where to Stay
Granada Hotel & Bistro is an industrial chic boutique hotel in downtown SLO. The restored historic building features original exposed brick walls and an intimate bar with a speakeasy vibe. Also located in the heart of downtown, the contemporary Hotel San Luis Obispo offers full-service amenities including an outdoor pool and rooftop terrace bar.
Encinitas
On the northern edge of San Diego County, Encinitas is equal parts surfer’s haven and craft beer gem. Encinitas is home to the famous Swami’s surf break, which the Beach Boys sang about in their 1963 hit single Surfin’ U.S.A, the family-friendly Moonlight State Beach, and a bustling downtown strip of shops, restaurants, and trendy taprooms. Modern Times Beer and Culture Brewing Company features experimental and small-batch craft brews with a loyal local fan base. Nearby is Fox Point Brewing Co., which offers a twist on the farm-to-table experience. This farm-to-tap brewery grows its own ingredients and pours directly from taps connected to brewing tanks.
Where to Stay
Minutes from the surf in Encinitas, Inn at Moonlight Beach is an oasis of sustainable practice both for the built environment and those enjoying it. The inn is the first lodging property in the world to be recognized as a WELL™ Certified hotel building.
Catalina Island
Catalina Island is an idyllic destination off the Southern California coast between Long Beach and San Clemente. It’s where visitors go to kayak crystalline ocean coves, hike and mountain bike rugged trails, view marine life and roaming bison, and stroll the historic waterfront promenade lined with shops and restaurants. It’s also where craft beer enthusiasts can enjoy the only beer brewed on the island. Small-batch brews are the specialty at Catalina Island Brew House. The brewery produces up to two barrels a week of different beers, all of which are named to celebrate Catalina. Brews are also often crafted with island resources, including desalinated seawater or ingredients harvested locally.
Where to Stay
The boutique Aurora Hotel is situated just a couple of blocks off the waterfront in Avalon. Guest rooms offer contemporary décor and the newly revamped rooftop deck features sweeping ocean views.
Tuolumne County
In California Gold Country, Tuolumne County offers visitors a gateway location with easy access to Yosemite National Park, High Sierra lakes and wilderness areas, and storied gold mining towns with rich histories. Visitors who enjoy complementing their travel adventures with a pint of local brew will find tasty discoveries along the local Tuolumne County Craft Beverage Trail. The craft beer scene in this neck of the woods includes fan favorites Around the Horn Brewing Company near Groveland, Bear Tent Brewing Company in Jamestown, and Sonora Brewing Company in Sonora. The Craft Beverage Trail is a downloadable guide that also features cider houses, boutique wineries, and discounts at Tuolumne County area businesses.
Where to Stay
McCaffrey House Bed & Breakfast Inn is a three-story forested retreat nestled in the Sierra foothills minutes from Twain Harte. Spacious guest rooms are individually styled and feature tranquil forest views.
Benicia
On the north bank of the Carquinez Strait in the San Francisco Bay Area, Benicia is a small, historic maritime community where visitors can enjoy relaxed days on the waterfront without throngs of tourist activity. The low-key town offers a pleasant mix of outdoor recreation, harbor activity, special events, downtown shopping, and a variety of restaurants and bars. It’s also home to a budding craft beer scene of local breweries and lively pubs pouring local crafts. Mare Island Brewing Company and Bruehol Benicia Brewing are two popular gathering spots in town. Bruehol specializes in German-style brews and is just one of 30 women-owned breweries in California.
Where to Stay
Built in 1854, The Inn at Benicia Bay is a beautifully renovated inn blending period architectural details and modern amenities while honoring the town’s rich seafaring history. It’s located just a block from downtown Benicia.
San Francisco
San Francisco blends its centuries-old brewing history with cutting-edge craft experimentation. From hazy IPAs to barrel-aged sours, local taprooms serve up unique, small-batch creations that cater to every beer enthusiast. San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods add to the charm, where you can enjoy a refreshing pint with a waterfront view, or sip a spicy saison in an industrial-chic brew house. With beer festivals like SF Beer Week, an array of brewery tours, and an ever-evolving tap list, the city’s craft beer culture offers endless opportunities to explore. Plus, San Francisco’s compact seven square miles make brewery hopping easy thanks to public transit.
Where to stay
Steeped in Victorian charm, The Queen Anne Hotel’s central location provides great access to breweries and taprooms around the city. Near Union Square, the White Swan Inn is a hip, boutique hotel blending the charm of an old English hotel with the sassy, mod flair of 1960s London.