7 California Burger Spots So Popular, People Wait Hours Just To Get In
California isn’t just famous for sunshine and beaches, it’s also home to some of the most mouthwatering burgers you’ll ever taste.
These iconic burger joints have lines that snake around the block, with hungry fans willing to wait hours for a single bite.
Whether it’s a perfectly charred smashburger dripping with cheese, a roadside classic steeped in nostalgia, or a creative chef-driven twist on the American staple, these California spots prove that patience, and hunger, really do pay off.
1. Hodad’s
Surfboards hang from the ceiling and license plates cover every inch of the walls at this legendary San Diego burger shack. Hodad’s traces its roots back to 1969 and officially opened under its current name in 1973, and the vibe is pure California beach town cool.
The bacon cheeseburger here is a towering masterpiece that requires two hands and zero shame.
Lines often stretch out the door and down the sidewalk, but regulars swear the wait is worth every minute. Each burger comes loaded with fresh veggies, special sauce, and enough grease to make your napkin transparent. The fries are crispy perfection, and the milkshakes are thick enough to stand a spoon in.
Don’t bother looking for fancy seating or quiet corners, this place is loud, crowded, and absolutely buzzing with energy.
2. The Apple Pan
Since 1947, this Los Angeles institution has served burgers on paper plates to customers perched on swiveling counter stools. The Apple Pan hasn’t changed much over the decades, and that’s exactly how patrons like it. Their hickory burger features a perfectly grilled patty topped with tangy hickory sauce that’ll haunt your dreams.
There’s no table service here, just grab a stool at the U-shaped counter and watch the magic happen. The cooks work with lightning speed, flipping patties and assembling burgers with practiced precision. Lines snake around the tiny building during peak hours, testing the patience of even the most devoted burger enthusiasts.
No need to bring cash anymore, The Apple Pan is now card-only as of 2025, though the classic no-frills counter experience remains the same.
3. Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club
Orange County’s burger scene exploded when Matty’s Patty’s opened its doors with inventive creations that push boundaries. Their signature smash burgers feature thin, crispy-edged patties like “The Matty” and “Double Cheeseburger,” delivering maximum flavor in every bite. The menu sometimes rotates with specials, but the focus stays on perfectly executed classics that highlight top-quality ingredients.
Social media has turned this spot into an absolute sensation, with foodies posting drool-worthy photos that rack up thousands of likes. Opening-weekend crowds saw lines over an hour long, though wait times now vary by day and time. Each burger arrives as a work of art, almost too pretty to eat-almost.
Vegetarians won’t feel left out either, thanks to creative plant-based options that carnivores actually crave too.
4. Hyphy Burger
West Oakland’s Hyphy Burger brings Bay Area hip-hop culture and serious burger game together under one roof. The name references the hyphy movement that put Oakland on the musical map, and the food lives up to that energetic legacy. Their double smash burgers come with caramelized onions and a special sauce that locals guard like a state secret.
This isn’t some corporate chain trying to look cool, it’s authentic Oakland through and through. The small space fills up fast, and weekend lines can be lengthy, especially during lunch rushes. Regulars know to order the fries extra crispy and add a side of their housemade ranch for dipping.
The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the community vibe makes everyone feel like family from the first visit.
5. In-N-Out Burger
No California burger list would be complete without mentioning the cult favorite that started it all back in 1948. In-N-Out has achieved near-religious status among burger lovers, with a secret menu that reads like ancient scripture. The Double-Double Animal Style is the stuff of legends, featuring extra sauce, grilled onions, and pickles that create flavor explosions.
Drive-thrus and dining rooms often stay busy well into the night, with long but steady-moving lines rather than hours-long waits. Everything is made fresh to order, from hand-cut fries to never-frozen beef patties that sizzle on the grill. Tourists treat a visit here like a pilgrimage, snapping photos before devouring their meals.
The prices remain shockingly reasonable, proving you don’t need to break the bank for burger excellence.
6. Squeeze Inn / Squeeze Burger
Sacramento’s Squeeze Inn invented the cheese skirt burger, and nothing else comes close to this crispy, lacy masterpiece. They literally squeeze a mountain of cheese onto the griddle around each patty, creating a crunchy cheese halo that extends beyond the bun. The result looks like edible art and tastes like heaven had a burger baby.
The original tiny shack closed years ago after an ADA dispute, but newer Squeeze Burger locations across the region still serve the same legendary cheese-skirted burgers. Watching the cooks create these wonders through the window is entertainment in itself. First-timers always gasp when they see their burger arrive, wondering how to tackle such a glorious mess.
Bring extra napkins, wear stretchy pants, and prepare for a cheese-induced happiness coma that’ll last for hours.
7. Eggslut
While Eggslut made its name with egg sandwiches, their burger game is seriously underrated and worth the notorious wait times. The Cheeseburger, featuring a juicy beef patty, caramelized onions, and cheddar on a soft brioche bun, is a sleeper hit among fans.
The Gaucho burger, made with wagyu tri-tip and chimichurri, is available at select locations only. Los Angeles foodies line up around Grand Central Market just to get their hands on one.
The Instagram-worthy presentation has made this spot a social media darling, with influencers documenting every angle before taking a bite. Weekend mornings see lines stretching for an hour or more, filled with hungry customers clutching coffee and scrolling through their phones. The open kitchen lets you watch your burger being assembled with meticulous care.
Fair warning: one bite and you’ll understand why people willingly sacrifice their Saturday mornings standing in line here.