Any restaurant can serve up a pint of beer, a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, but across California, hidden gems are turning the simple act of grabbing a drink into a memorable experience. At these special spots, you can sip on locally crafted drinks and feel like one of the locals.

Coffee shops

An average cup of joe can get you moving in the morning, but these California coffee shops serve more than cappuccino; they serve up community. If you want to feel like you’ve stumbled into Central Perk with your own friends, get your caffeine rush at these Golden State coffee houses.

Feast Coffee

At Redding’s Feast Coffee, customers come for freshly roasted coffee and leave charmed by delicious food and lively events. Feast offers seasonal menu items like the Matcha Colada topped with ube coconut foam and the tri-tip breakfast burrito—all made with ingredients produced locally or in-house. Enjoy $5 off any waffle on their menu every Sunday, or partake in friendly conversation, wood-fired pizza and natural wines on Garage Days when their doors lift to create a community hang-out space.

Gratitude Coffee Bar

Coffee by day and club by night, Concord’s Gratitude Coffee Bar is a true community hub. Start your morning with a cortado or matcha latte crafted by the barista, then come back later to sip and spin with a DJ or enjoy a mix of eclectic live music performances.

Dogtown Coffee

Come hang ten with an espresso in hand at Santa Monica’s Dogtown Coffee. Housed in a historic former surf shop, this spot’s laid-back vibes, organic coffees and wellness-focused menu capture the essence of California surf culture. The retro-industrial space showcases a rotating selection of art crafted by local artists, and on the weekends, it keeps the good vibes going with live musicians or a DJ.

Must-sip experiences

Some experiences are so diverse that they defy categorization. These special California spots fuse drinks, dancing and travel to create a unique Golden State memory.

The Highball Express

Located in Willits, The Highball Express gives riders a taste of Mendocino County. While they’re known for offering locally brewed beers, wines and spirits, the experience of touring the redwoods in a vintage train and a lively social scene rivals it all. For those explorers and those looking to relax, the train makes a stop at Crowley where guests can leave the traincar to adventure or sit and immerse themselves in the surrounding environment.

The Pour Choice

Belly up to the bar and try eight single-origin coffees on tap, or 18 craft beers on draft at The Pour Choice in Auburn. Housed inside the former Auburn Drug Co., which served the community for 118 years, The Pour Choice continues to serve locals (and visitors) with great sips, eats and friendship. Owners Jordan and Melinda Minyard have revived the building into Auburn’s living room.

Moonshine Flats

In San Diego, put on your cowboy boots and kick up your heels at Moonshine Flats. Live country music, high-energy DJ sets and weekly line dancing lessons make what’s in your glass almost secondary. Whether you’re two-steppin’ for the first time or are the champion of swing, fun is on the menu at Moonshine Flats.

Breweries and taprooms

We all want to feel like a familiar face when we walk into our local breweries, and these brewhouses are so friendly that even visitors are made to feel like regulars.

The Thirsty Prospector

The Thirsty Prospector in downtown Sonora is one saloon with a storied history going back to the 1850s. Mine tunnels run underneath (still visible today), hinting at the saloon’s colorful past. Today, things are a lot more wholesome with 12 beers on tap, ice cream for the kiddos and a cool used bookstore onsite.

Flatland Brewing Company

In Elk Grove, Flatland Brewing Company is the heart of the community. Known for its craft brews, the brewery brings people together over a pint, live music, food trucks and a weekend brunch that rivals any urban hotspot. Come for the beer, but stay for the camaraderie.

Kulturhouse Brewing Co.

Kulturhouse Brewing Co. brings a healthy dose of Gemütlichkeit to Pismo Beach. The German-style craft beer brewed onsite is a big draw, especially paired with bratwurst or a big pretzel. Time it right and you can join the brewer’s popular monthly class teaching the basics of fermentation with hands-on preparation of sauerkraut.

Laguna Beer Company

What started in a homebrewer’s garage is now the best beer on the beach. Laguna Beer Company brews up lagers, IPAs and seasonal suds that pair perfectly with a lazy day on the water.