SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
Escape to Spring Tea at Filoli in Woodside
Filoli's Spring Afternoon Tea brings an elegant experience to the Garden House on its 654-acre Woodside estate. Guests enjoy finger sandwiches, warm scones with house-made preserves, seasonal sweets, tea and Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Rosé in a setting framed by spring blooms, a sunken pond and the estate's Georgian Revival mansion. The experience blends British tea tradition with a distinctly Northern California sense of place.
Nostalgic Moments at Hello Kitty Cafe in Santa Clara
Hello Kitty Cafe Santa Clara turns afternoon tea into a playful, nostalgia-filled outing. The Sanrio-themed cafe serves colorful drinks, pastries, themed merchandise and a signature tea service that leans into childhood charm. It's a fun, sensory experience that blends sweets, pop culture and whimsy.
GOLD COUNTRY
Step Into Gold Rush Tea History in Columbia
Columbia Kate's Teahouse pairs afternoon tea with Gold Rush-era characters inside Columbia State Historic Park. Housed in a red barn built in the 1890s on the site of an 1850s French bakery, the teahouse serves its signature Motherlode Tea for Two ($68) with tea, scones, salads, sandwiches and a sweets trio. Columbia Kate's Bakery supplies the baked goods, while the space also offers loose-leaf teas, antiques and gifts.
HIGH SIERRA
Pair Celtic Festival Fun With Tea Near Yosemite
Tarts & Tea with Royalty offers a whimsical break during the 2nd Annual Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games, Oct. 17-18. Guests sip Clash Coffee teas and enjoy Yosemite Pie Company tarts while the Royal Court shares stories and entertains. After tea, visitors can jump back into live music, competitions, vendors, archery and other festival experiences.
CENTRAL VALLEY
Royal Tea Escape in Modesto
Dragonfly Tea Room brings a classic afternoon tea experience to Modesto with daily service, a café menu and private event space. Guests can choose themed offerings like the "Be Our Guest" menu, which includes items such as chicken and mushroom canapés, beef ragout stew, Earl Grey scones and a mimosa.
Vintage Charm at The Hidden Tea Room in Lodi
The Hidden Tea Room in Lodi leans fully into old-school tea party charm with a pink vintage setting, fine China and premium loose-leaf teas. Guests can settle in with homemade desserts, scones, sandwiches and other finger foods in a space designed for lingering with family and friends. The experience feels whimsical without losing the traditional elements that make afternoon tea so appealing.
Ride Into Elegance on the River Fox Tea Train
The River Fox Train turns afternoon tea into a moving celebration of vintage style, departing from West Sacramento for a two-hour ride through Yolo County. Guests enjoy fine teas, finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and seasonal pastries inside restored, climate-controlled rail cars. Optional sparkling wine and specialty drinks add a more celebratory edge. The result is a fresh, scenic take on tea service that feels equal parts refined and fun.
A Graceful Tea Escape at Chantilly Tea Room in Fresno
Chantilly Tea Room brings a romantic tea experience to Fresno with vintage décor, floral touches and elegant table settings. The traditional service includes beautifully presented teas, sweet treats and light bites designed to be enjoyed at a slower pace. It works equally well for special occasions or for anyone wanting a more elevated afternoon. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., it's a charming local gem with a soft, intimate feel.
CENTRAL COAST
Polished Tea Traditions in Camarillo
At All Things Tea, guests can enjoy traditional English tea service with pastries, finger sandwiches and more than 135 specialty loose-leaf teas, while Camarillo Ranch hosts afternoon teas at its 1892 Queen Anne Victorian mansion with scones, petite treats and docent-led tours.
Whimsical Tea Escape in Paso Robles
The Alchemists' Garden turns afternoon tea in Paso Robles into a theatrical experience filled with florals, mushroom details and playful elegance. Its “Tea Tray for 2” includes cucumber sandwiches, crackers, savory and sweet pastries, deviled eggs, cookies, jam and honey, all served in a space where botanical design and imagination take center stage. Together with nearby garden-party energy at The Backyard on Thirteenth, it gives Paso a fresh take on royal tea.
Sip Through Tea Spots Across SLO CAL
San Luis Obispo County offers a range of tea experiences, from the whimsical charm of Madonna Inn to the garden setting at Apple Farm Inn and the vintage feel of The Tea Trolley in Atascadero. Apple Farm's monthly traditional tea pairs classic brews with bites and pastries, while its lodging options add to the appeal. The Tea Trolley leans into a timeless, intimate high tea atmosphere that will appeal to Bridgerton fans. In downtown San Luis Obispo, Breda has a refined European feel with artisan chocolates and bonbons, elegant desserts, hot beverages and afternoon high tea in a cozy setting.
Morgan Hill Tea With Heart and History
Teresa's Morgan Hill Cafe offers themed California-style tea events with fancy hats, delicate bites and a relaxed atmosphere, while Villa Mira Monte's annual Holiday Tea adds a traditional touch in support of the Morgan Hill Historical Society. Together, they blend heritage, charm and philanthropy.
Sip Garden Tea San Ysidro Ranch
Montecito's San Ysidro Ranch offers afternoon tea Thursday through Sunday in the Veranda courtyard, creating a polished outdoor experience that feels quietly luxurious. The menu includes elevated tea sandwiches like a lobster profiterole, seasonal scones, house-made pastries and a selection of 14 teas from around the world. Guests can upgrade with champagne, rosé or oysters for an even more indulgent afternoon.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Step Into Tea and Ocean-Liner Glamour in Long Beach
Long Beach offers two standout tea experiences, each with its own vibe. Chez Bacchus serves a refined weekend afternoon tea with premium loose-leaf teas, tiered sweet and savory bites, and an elegant but relaxed atmosphere, while the Queen Mary hosts Saturday tea service aboard the historic ship with finger sandwiches, sweets, ocean views and Art Deco surroundings. One feels like a polished café escape, the other feels like stepping into maritime history.
Indulge in Beverly Hills Tea With Red-Carpet Flair
The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ Living Room offers live harp music, tiered sandwiches, scones, pastries, premium teas and optional champagne, while The Maybourne Beverly Hills’ Terrace Tea Room, Prêt-à-Portea: The Red Carpet Collection reimagines celebrity fashion as intricate desserts and pastries. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills’ Lobby Lounge serves afternoon tea every weekend featuring premium teas, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon upgrades, confections, and a refined cheese and charcuterie board.
Enjoy a Tea Fit for Royalty in Torrance
Chado Tea Room brings a classic afternoon tea experience to Torrance with polished service and an extensive loose-leaf tea selection. Guests can expect tiered trays of finger sandwiches, fresh scones with cream and preserves, and pastries paired with teas from around the world.
Timeless Tea in Pasadena at The Huntington Rose Garden
The Rose Garden Tea Room at The Huntington pairs historic surroundings with a classic afternoon tea service. Guests can choose from a range of teas alongside seasonal house-made scones, savory bites and sweet offerings. The setting adds a refined, garden-side elegance to the experience.
Bridgerton-Worthy Tea Escape in Santa Monica
Santa Monica offers several distinct afternoon tea experiences, each with its own spin on elegance. Buena Vida Tea Garden delivers a dreamy open-air setting while Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows pair classic tea with lush gardens and coastal views. Ye Olde King's Head brings traditional British tea service just steps from the beach, complete with scones, clotted cream and finger sandwiches. The Santa Monica Proper Hotel rounds out the lineup with a more modern, design-forward take on the ritual.
ORANGE COUNTY
Ocean Views With Tea at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach brings a Spring Afternoon Tea to its refreshed lobby bar and lounge, 33 North, pairing delicate sandwiches, house-made scones, pastries, tea and a glass of champagne or rosé with sweeping Pacific views. The experience runs select Sundays from April 12 through May 24, from 2-4 p.m., priced at $125 for adults and $85 for children ages 3 to 10.
Play, Sing & Sip at Hijinx Hotel in Irvine
Hijinx Hotel at Irvine Spectrum Center combines immersive entertainment with a playful high tea experience featuring 15 interactive challenge rooms, karaoke lounges, a full bar, restaurant and a hidden speakeasy. The Sweet and Savory High Tea menu mixes elevated comfort food like chicken salad sandwiches and sliders with churros, macarons, brownies, petit fours and fairy floss. It's part game night, part tea outing and built for a fun group experience.
INLAND EMPIRE
Romance & Elegance at Corbeaux Wine & Tea House
Corbeaux Wine & Tea House brings a polished, dress-up-worthy tea experience to Temecula with premium loose-leaf teas, finger sandwiches, scones and seasonal pastries. Owner Regan Schneider curates themed monthly teas inspired by icons of romance and refinement, from Jane Austen and the Brontës to “Bridgerton” and Japanese cherry blossom season. Guests can also order from a French- and Asian-inspired lunch menu.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Dress Up for Garden Tea at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa’s “Tea in the Garden” series returns this summer with monthly Sunday gatherings set in the hotel's lush garden. Each event has its own theme, complemented by custom-blended teas, cocktails and bites. Seasonal highlights include Solstice Garden Tea (June 28), Mediterranean Daydream (July 19) and A Gilded Garden Tea (Aug. 23). Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion and lean into the whimsy. Tickets are $75 per person.