13 California Pizza Places That’ll Change The Way You Think About The Slice

California’s pizza scene is unlike anywhere else in the world. From sourdough crusts in San Francisco to celebrity-backed joints in LA, the Golden State has reinvented what pizza can be.
These 13 exceptional pizzerias represent the creativity, quality ingredients, and multicultural influences that make California pizza truly revolutionary.
1. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (San Francisco)

Pizza wizard Tony Gemignani works magic in North Beach with multiple championship titles under his belt. His restaurant houses seven different ovens, each crafted for specific pizza styles from Detroit to Sicilian.
I once waited two hours for his signature Margherita (limited to 73 daily) and nearly cried at the first bite. Worth every minute!
The coal-fired New Yorker with its perfect char will transport you straight to Brooklyn.
2. Cheese Board Pizza (Berkeley)

Berkeley’s beloved collective serves just one vegetarian pizza daily, yet lines form before opening. Their legendary green sauce (cilantro, garlic, olive oil) has inspired countless imitators across the Bay Area.
What makes this place special? It’s not just the perfect sourdough crust or seasonal ingredients – it’s the live jazz musicians playing while you devour your slice on the grassy median of Shattuck Avenue.
3. Rose Pizzeria (Berkeley)

This unassuming Berkeley gem earned national recognition from The New York Times for good reason. Their naturally leavened dough ferments for three days, creating a tangy, complex base that’s both crisp and chewy.
My neighbor swears their ‘Nduja pie changed her life – spicy spreadable salumi melting into house-made mozzarella.
The minimalist dining room buzzes with energy as locals debate which seasonal special reigns supreme this week.
4. Outta Sight Pizza (San Francisco)

From scrappy pop-up to SF institution, Outta Sight delivers New York-style slices with distinctly California flair. Their dough ferments for 72 hours, creating that perfect foldable-yet-crispy texture true pizza nerds obsess over.
The “Sweetboy” – with hot honey, cup-and-char pepperoni, and ricotta dollops – exemplifies their balance of tradition and innovation.
Food & Wine magazine didn’t hesitate to crown it among America’s finest pizza experiences.
5. Pizzeria Sei (Mid-City, LA)

Tokyo-trained chef William Joo crafts neo-Neapolitan masterpieces that earned Pizzeria Sei the only California spot on The New York Times’ 2024 best pizza list. The 12-inch pies emerge from a 900°F oven with that perfect leopard-spotted crust.
During my last visit, I watched in awe as Joo stretched dough with balletic precision. His Margherita might look simple, but the balance of sweet San Marzanos, creamy fior di latte, and that ethereal crust is nothing short of transcendent.
6. Quarter Sheets (Echo Park)

Hidden in Echo Park, this pandemic-born sensation reimagines Detroit-style pizza through a distinctly LA lens. The rectangular pies feature crispy cheese-crusted edges (those coveted “corners”) and unexpected seasonal toppings from local farms.
What truly separates Quarter Sheets from competitors is their pastry program. Chef Hannah Ziskin’s desserts – like her transcendent chocolate cake – make this the rare pizzeria where saving room is mandatory, not optional.
7. Prime Pizza (Los Angeles)

Prime brings authentic New York pizza culture to LA without pretension. Their thin-crust pies strike that magical balance between foldable and sturdy, perfect for late-night slices after hitting the bars on Fairfax.
The Sausage Kale pie deserves its cult following – house-made fennel sausage plays perfectly against bitter greens and creamy ricotta.
Back in 2019, I took an East Coast pizza snob here who reluctantly admitted it rivaled anything in Brooklyn.
8. Doughbrik’s Pizza (West Hollywood)

When YouTube star David Dobrik opened a pizza shop on Sunset Boulevard, skeptics rolled their eyes. Then they tasted the pizza. These nostalgic, high-quality slices channel classic pizza parlors rather than trendy artisanal spots.
The “Meat Treat” with its perfect ratio of pepperoni, sausage, and bacon atop gooey, stretchy mozzarella brings instant joy.
Sure, you might spot celebrities in line, but the real star remains those perfectly foldable slices with crispy-yet-chewy crusts.
9. Flour + Water Pizzeria (San Francisco)

Chef Thomas McNaughton applies fine-dining techniques to humble pizza at this Mission District institution. The naturally leavened dough undergoes a 48-hour fermentation, creating complex flavors impossible to achieve with commercial yeast.
Their signature Margherita seems simple until you taste it – the basil oil brushed on post-bake offers an aromatic punch that elevates everything.
Don’t skip the bone marrow garlic bread, a decadent starter that showcases their commitment to thoughtful excess.
10. A16 (San Francisco & Oakland)

Named for the highway running through Italy’s Campania region, A16 introduced San Francisco to authentic Neapolitan pizza back in 2004. Their wood-fired oven turns out blistered, slightly soupy-centered pies that would make Napoli proud.
The Funghi pizza – topped with smoked mozzarella, wild mushrooms, and garlic – exemplifies their perfect balance of tradition and California seasonality.
After nearly two decades, they remain the standard against which Bay Area Neapolitan-style pizzas are judged.
11. Piccino (San Francisco)

Tucked in the Dogpatch neighborhood, Piccino quietly makes some of SF’s most perfectly executed thin-crust pizzas. Their sunny yellow Victorian building houses a restaurant where pizza isn’t flashy – just flawless.
The funghi calda with crescenza cheese, wild mushrooms, and hot pepper oil showcases their philosophy: simple, seasonal ingredients allowed to shine.
During my last visit, the server mentioned they’d just switched mushroom varieties to match peak season – that’s attention to detail!
12. Slice House by Tony Gemignani (Burbank)

Pizza champion Tony Gemignani brings his expertise to this casual Burbank outpost, where quality never suffers despite the faster-paced format. The New York style slices achieve that magical balance – sturdy enough to hold toppings yet foldable for proper eating.
Their Sicilian square slices deserve special mention – the focaccia-like crust develops a caramelized bottom while maintaining a fluffy interior. “Best slice in LA County” gets thrown around a lot by regulars, and they might just be right.
13. Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria (SoCal chain)

This SoCal chain skyrocketed to fame after delivering to the Oscars during Ellen’s famous selfie moment. But locals already knew their real claim to fame: the Giant Sicilian, a monstrous 54-inch square pizza that feeds 70+ people.
Beyond the novelty factor, their regular pies deliver consistent quality with generous toppings and that distinctly California-meets-East-Coast hybrid style.
My nephew’s birthday party featured their 36-inch round pizza – the kids’ eyes grew wider than the pizza itself!