13 Iconic California Road Trip Foods You Have To Try At Least Once
Cruising California’s scenic highways isn’t just about stunning views – it’s also a culinary adventure waiting to happen!
From NorCal to SoCal, the Golden State serves up some seriously mouthwatering eats that deserve a spot on your road trip bucket list. Grab your keys and an empty stomach as we explore these iconic California foods that’ll make any journey unforgettable.
1. In-N-Out Burger
Nothing screams “California road trip” quite like pulling into an In-N-Out drive-thru! Those red-and-white arrows beckon hungry travelers to experience their legendary Double-Double.
Pro tip: Order it “Animal Style” for extra spread, grilled onions, and mustard-cooked patties. The not-so-secret menu options are what truly elevate this fast-food joint to cult status.
2. Fish Tacos
Baja-style fish tacos reign supreme along California’s coastal routes, especially in San Diego. Crispy battered white fish nestled in warm corn tortillas, topped with crunchy cabbage and tangy crema – heaven in hand-held form!
Where did they originate? Mexican fishermen brought this beachy delight north, forever changing California’s food landscape.
3. Mission-Style Burrito
Enormous and satisfying, these foil-wrapped flavor bombs from San Francisco’s Mission District will fuel your Northern California adventures. Unlike their Mexican cousins, these monsters pack rice, beans, meat, cheese, and guac into one tortilla torpedo!
How big are they? About the size of a newborn baby- just saying!
4. Tri-Tip Sandwich
Central Coast road-trippers, listen up! Santa Maria’s oak-smoked tri-tip sandwiches might just change your life. This triangular beef cut gets rubbed with spices, grilled over red oak, and sliced thin.
Locals pile it onto garlic bread with salsa for a sandwich that puts ordinary roast beef to shame. Though lesser-known outside California, this BBQ style deserves superhero status!
5. French Dip Sandwich
Los Angeles lays claim to the birth of this juicy masterpiece! Cole’s and Philippe’s are two iconic locations that continue to compete for the title of original inventor.
When you bite into finely sliced roast beef on a crispy bun, slathered in flavorful au jus, your taste buds will be the true winners, regardless of the winner. The ideal place to halt when driving across the sprawling cities of Los Angeles!
6. California Roll
Though sushi might seem odd for road trip fare, this LA-born innovation deserves recognition! Created in the 1960s to introduce hesitant Americans to Japanese cuisine, it swapped raw fish for crab and hid the seaweed inside.
Avocado adds that distinctly California touch. Grab some to-go from any quality sushi spot- they’re perfectly portable for scenic overlook picnics!
7. Cioppino With Sourdough
Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco serves up this tomato-based seafood stew that’ll warm you after foggy coastal drives. It was made by an Italian immigrant fisherman with whatever catch was left over at the end of the day.
How is it eaten? Dip the renowned tangy sourdough bread from San Francisco into the stew! You may need to have extra napkins in the car after this delectable mess!
8. Julian Apple Pie
Detour to the charming mountain town of Julian for pie that’s worth every twist and turn of the road! Since the Gold Rush days, this SoCal spot has been famous for flaky-crusted apple creations.
Mom’s Pie House and Julian Pie Company battle for visitors’ affections. Can’t decide? Buy both – one for now and one for tomorrow’s drive!
9. Date Shake
Cruising through the desert? Cool down with this uniquely Californian treat! The Coachella Valley’s date farms transform their sweet harvests into thick, creamy milkshakes that taste like caramel heaven.
Hadley’s and Shields Date Garden are legendary stops.
Though they look like ordinary milkshakes, these palm-powered beverages pack natural sweetness that’ll fuel your Joshua Tree adventures!
10. Garlic Ice Cream
You brave travelers, this is for you! The renowned harvest is used to make ice cream in Gilroy, which bills itself as the Garlic Capital of the World.
Doesn’t it sound strange? It really does work! Garlic is subtly mellowed into an almost nutty taste by the sweet cream foundation. Can you locate it elsewhere? This unusual frozen dessert is featured at the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival and will take your taste buds on an unexpected culinary adventure!
11. Carne Asada Fries
Driving around San Diego late at night? Take a moment to admire this amazing munchie artwork! California-Mexico border romance on a plate: crispy fries stuffed with grilled steak, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and pico de gallo.
Legendary versions are served in Roberto’s and Lolo’s taco establishments. Your taste buds will have a fiesta, despite the protests of your arteries!
12. El Charrito Breakfast Burrito
Salinas Valley’s hidden gem awaits early morning road warriors! El Charrito’s hand-stretched tortillas cradle eggs, chorizo, potatoes, and cheese for the ultimate breakfast-in-hand.
What makes them special? Those tortillas are stretched to order – thin yet strong enough to hold a feast! Farm workers have powered up with these for decades before heading to the fields.
13. Oysters At The Marshall Store
This seafood stop is a must for coastal drives in Northern California! The Marshall Store, which is situated in Tomales Bay, sells oysters that were swimming hours ago.
How are they consumed in the area? Raw with mignonette sauce or barbecued with garlic butter. Eating them while observing the fog rolling across the ocean is a classic NorCal experience that cannot be adequately captured by an Instagram filter.