What Is California-Style Pizza?

Ever heard of California-style pizza? While not everyone takes it seriously as a culinary style, this pizza has distinguished itself and become popular across the American west coast. Read on to get to know exactly what makes this style special, where it originated, and where you can get it. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

The Style

California-style pizza is really just a combination of other pizza styles, spruced up with a local twist. This single-serving pizza comes with a thin crust, emulating that of New York-style pizza or traditional Italian crusts. The true California distinction comes from the toppings, featuring a variety of local produce, often including the healthiest and freshest ingredients available, and ones created with organic, sustainable, and ethical practices whenever possible. Some of the most common toppings include artichoke hearts, avocado, and goat cheese, and many California-style pizzas come in vegetarian or vegan options.

The History

There are two main restaurateurs credited with the invention of California-style pizza around 1980 – Ed LaDou and Alice Waters. At that time, LaDou was a pizza chef at Prego Restaurant in the Cow Hollow district of San Francisco, where he was encouraged to experiment with pizza styles. Waters, on the other hand, was overseeing a team of pizza chefs at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, a restaurant that frequently combined Californian and Italian styles to popular effect. Both figures played a significant role in the popularization of California-style pizza. As Waters’s restaurant gained popularity in the Bay Area, LaDou happened to serve an experimental pizza to chef Wolfgang Puck, who would later hire him as at his Spago restaurant in Hollywood. LaDou would also go on to become influential in the development of the California Pizza Kitchen menu as the California-style pizza became popular throughout the 1980s.

Where To Find It

Of course, some of those original restaurants are still incredible places to enjoy California-style pizza, so be sure to check out Spago, Chez Panisse, Wolfgang Puck, or California Pizza Kitchen if you can. If you’re in the LA area, some incredible alternatives include Gjelina and Caioti Pizza Café. If you’re in northern California, you can eat your way across San Francisco at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Pizzetta 211, Gialina and Flour + Water.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.