9 Iconic Pizzerias In California That Are Worth The Drive (Yes, Even In Traffic)

I’ve always believed that great pizza is worth traveling for, and California’s pizza scene proves my point spectacularly.

From crispy wood-fired crusts in Los Angeles to sourdough innovations in San Francisco, the Golden State offers some truly extraordinary pizza experiences.

Whether you’re a thin-crust devotee or deep-dish defender, these nine legendary pizzerias have perfected their craft in ways that make even the most grueling California traffic fade from memory with that first perfect bite.

1. Pizzeria Mozza: Nancy Silverton’s Pizza Paradise

The first time I bit into Pizzeria Mozza’s squash blossom pizza, I nearly wept. No joke. Nancy Silverton’s Highland Avenue institution has been elevating pizza to art form status since 2006, and I’ve happily burned gas sitting on the 101 just to experience it again.

The magic happens in that crust – somehow simultaneously chewy, crispy, and airy with those perfect char bubbles that pizza dreams are made of. Their signature pie comes topped with burrata, tomato sauce, and olive oil, simple yet transcendent.

Pro tip: Don’t skip the antipasti. Their marinated olives and fresh mozzarella could make a grown person sob with joy. I once drove two hours in Friday night traffic for this pizza, and I’d do it again tomorrow without hesitation.

2. Gjelina: Venice Beach’s Gourmet Pizza Sensation

Remember when pizza was just pizza? Gjelina changed that game forever. Tucked along Abbot Kinney Boulevard, this Venice Beach hotspot transformed my understanding of what pizza could be. Their mushroom pie with truffle oil had me questioning all my pizza loyalties.

Gjelina’s approach combines California farm-fresh ingredients with rustic techniques. The thin crust emerges from wood-fired ovens beautifully blistered, then gets topped with unexpected combinations like nettles and guanciale or lamb sausage with confit tomato.

My favorite memory? Nabbing the last outdoor table on a perfect SoCal evening, pizza steam rising in the cool air as the sunset painted everything gold. Even the three-hour roundtrip drive from Orange County couldn’t diminish that magic. The hipster vibe might be strong, but the pizza justifies every pretentious moment.

3. Delfina Pizzeria: San Francisco’s Sourdough Pizza Pioneer

“You drove across the Bay Bridge during rush hour for pizza?” my roommate asked incredulously. After tasting Delfina’s Napoletana pie, I just smiled knowingly. This Mission District gem marries San Francisco’s sourdough heritage with Neapolitan pizza traditions in a way that makes traffic anxiety disappear faster than their pies on a busy night.

Owner Craig Stoll’s attention to fermentation creates a crust with complex flavor that’s both tangy and sweet. The margherita showcases this perfectly – just San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, and basil on that incredible crust.

I still dream about their clam pie with cherrystone clams, hot peppers, and oregano. The restaurant itself feels quintessentially San Franciscan – casual yet sophisticated, with neighborhood vibes despite its national acclaim. Worth every minute on the 101.

4. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana: The Champion’s Pizzeria

Holy pepperoni, Batman! Tony Gemignani isn’t just a pizza maker – he’s a 13-time World Pizza Champion who creates flavor combinations that’ll make your taste buds do the happy dance. My friends thought I was nuts driving from Sacramento to North Beach, but one bite of his Margherita (baked at a blistering 900 degrees for just 90 seconds) silenced all criticism.

What makes Tony’s special isn’t just technique – it’s passion. This place houses seven different ovens to craft authentic regional styles from Detroit pan to classic Napoletana. The menu reads like a pizza geography lesson, and I’m here for every delicious minute of class.

Fair warning: lines form early, especially on weekends. But trust me, watching Tony spin dough like a pizza ninja while waiting is part of the experience.

5. Apollonia’s Pizzeria: LA’s Hidden Gem With Cult Status

“Take Wilshire to Crenshaw and look for the tiny storefront with no sign” sounds like directions to a secret society meeting. Actually, it’s how you find Apollonia’s, the pizza spot that changed my life one random Tuesday afternoon.

Owner Justin De Leon creates wild topping combinations that shouldn’t work but absolutely do. The Meat Jesus (yes, that’s really its name) combines pepperoni, sausage, and bacon with a hot honey drizzle that’s practically spiritual. Their crust achieves that perfect balance – sturdy enough to hold creative toppings but still tender inside.

What I love most is the rebellious spirit here. Justin doesn’t follow trends – he sets them. No fancy wood-fired oven or imported Italian flour propaganda, just consistently exceptional pizza made with passion. I’ve literally planned LA trips around their operating hours, and I’m not even slightly embarrassed about it.

6. Pizza My Heart: Surf’s Up For Santa Cruz’s Beloved Slice

Surfboards on the wall, sand still on my feet, and a massive slice of pizza in my hand – that’s my perfect Pizza My Heart moment. This Santa Cruz institution has been feeding hungry beach-goers since 1981, and I’ve made the coastal drive just for their signature combination of California surf culture and East Coast pizza style.

The slices here are huge – we’re talking bigger-than-your-face huge. My go-to is the Big Sur (artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and garlic on a pesto base), ideally eaten while watching surfers tackle the waves across the street.

What makes this place special isn’t fancy technique or imported ingredients – it’s the quintessential California vibe. Buy a t-shirt and you’ll get a slice free, which explains why half the state seems to own their merch. I’ve literally planned beach days around their locations, and I regret nothing.

7. Lucali LA: Brooklyn Royalty’s West Coast Outpost

Mark Iacono’s Brooklyn pizza legend making its way to LA? Count me absolutely in! When Lucali opened their West Hollywood location, I blocked my calendar and made the pilgrimage from San Diego without a second thought.

The simplicity here is deceptive. Their classic pie comes with just tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan, but somehow tastes more complex than pizzas with triple the ingredients. The secret lies in that crust – thin but substantial, with perfect leoparding from their blazing hot oven.

Be warned: no reservations means wait times can stretch longer than your patience after a traffic-filled drive. But watching the pizza makers hand-roll dough with wine bottles instead of rolling pins (a Lucali signature move) makes the wait part of the theater. I’ve spent five hours round-trip driving for this pizza, and I’d gladly do it again tomorrow.

8. Zachary’s Chicago Pizza: Deep-Dish Devotion In The East Bay

“You’re not a true pizza lover until you’ve tried Zachary’s,” my Berkeley friend insisted. Skeptical Midwesterner that I am, I made the trek across the Bay doubting California could nail Chicago-style pizza. I’ve never been happier to be wrong about anything in my life.

Zachary’s stuffed pizza is a revelation – a bottom crust, massive layer of cheese and toppings, another layer of dough, then topped with their chunky tomato sauce. The Zachary’s Special combines sausage, green pepper, onion, and mushroom into a knife-and-fork affair that feeds you for days.

Employee-owned since 2003, the passion shows in every bite. Be prepared: these beauties take 30-40 minutes to bake, but watching the staff bring them to tables, bubbling hot and impossibly tall, builds anticipation better than any appetizer. Worth every minute on the I-80.

9. Sliver Pizzeria: Berkeley’s Socially Conscious Slice

Green chile and corn on a pizza? My skepticism evaporated with the first bite at Sliver. This Berkeley institution serves just one type of pizza each day – a rotating vegetarian creation that has crowds lining up before opening. I’ve literally consulted their online calendar to plan drives across the bay when my favorites are featured.

Founded by former Cheese Board Collective members, Sliver combines pizza perfection with social purpose, supporting anti-human trafficking organizations with every slice sold. The sourdough crust provides the perfect canvas for seasonal toppings like roasted potatoes with rosemary or their legendary corn and pasilla peppers.

Live music several days a week turns your pizza run into an event. Half the fun is never knowing exactly what pizza awaits, but trusting it’ll be worth the journey. My personal record is three visits in one week when their cherry tomato, feta and herb pie was in rotation.