Our favorite California breweries

Ryan & Katy Smilko - (Smilkos_Lens)
Itinerary created by
Ryan & Katy Smilko
What you’ll do

California may be known for its wine, but it has quickly become the home to some of the most popular breweries and best beers. And between the two of us, we've tried over 700 different beers! If you're interested in seeing all the beers we've tried and how we rated them, check us out on Untappd: https://untappd.com/user/SmilkosLens

We're both lovers of all things hazy and juicy, but we will try just about anything. So we've put together a list of our ever-growing list of favorite breweries in California.

Oregon, Germany and Maine may have a stranglehold on having the most breweries per capita, but California is not just all about wine. And these 11 breweries, are our favorites in California. You'll find a variety of beers at each of them, ranging from super hazy and juicy IPAs, to sours, goses, stouts, pilsners, lagers and everything in-between. Many of these breweries also double as restaurants, and we promise the food is just as good as the beer at many of them. Enjoy!

1

Humble Sea Brewing Co.
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
Upscale craft beer experience
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

70.4 km (43.7 mi)

49 min

2

Barebottle Brewing Company - Santa Clara
Barebottle Brewing Company - Santa Clara
Delicious craft beer in Santa Clara
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

129.7 km (80.6 mi)

1 hr 20 min

3

Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro
Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro
Lively beer & bistros in Monterey
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

337.5 km (209.7 mi)

3 hr 20 min

4

Moksa Brewing Company
Moksa Brewing Company
Craft beer haven in Rocklin
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

224.5 km (139.5 mi)

2 hr 14 min

5

Narrative Fermentations
Narrative Fermentations
Modern brewery with great drinks
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

679.3 km (422.1 mi)

6 hr 38 min

6

Craft Coast Beer & Tacos
Craft Coast Beer & Tacos
Fun Tacos & Beer
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

56.4 km (35 mi)

35 min

7

Modern Times Beer
Modern Times Beer
Craft beer bar with coffee
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

858.9 km (533.7 mi)

8 hr 17 min

8

Lagunitas Brewing Company
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Craft beer, food, family fun
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

21.8 km (13.5 mi)

16 min

9

Russian River Brewing Company
Russian River Brewing Company
Award-winning craft brewery experience
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$$

99.8 km (62 mi)

1 hr 11 min

10

Almanac Beer Co.
Almanac Beer Co.
Delicious homemade beer!
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$

83.9 km (52.1 mi)

1 hr 3 min

11

Hapa's Brewing Company
Hapa's Brewing Company
Chill brewpub with great beer
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$

16.5 km (10.3 mi)

16 min

12

Hapa's Brewing Company
Hapa's Brewing Company
Local brewery with unique beers
Category
Brewery
Est. Price
$

305.9 km (190.1 mi)

2 hr 56 min

13

Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills
Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills
A spirited adventure awaits
Category
Bar
Est. Price
$50

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