California is the world's 7th largest economy, and it might over-index for the number of great roasters. The Cali specialty coffee scene is a vibrant and evolving landscape that reflects the state's broader cultural emphasis on innovation, quality, and sustainability. Cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are veritable hotbeds of coffee innovation, featuring an array of cafes that go well beyond the traditional espresso and cappuccino offerings. From meticulously sourced single-origin beans to innovative brewing methods like siphon or Aeropress, California's specialty coffee shops often resemble experimental labs where baristas act as scientists and artists. Many of these establishments strongly emphasize direct trade and sustainable farming practices, ensuring that the journey of the coffee bean from farm to cup is ethical and transparent.

Outside of the urban centers, the specialty coffee culture has permeated smaller cities and coastal towns, reflecting California's diverse topography and lifestyles. Whether it's a minimalist coffee bar in Venice Beach focusing on the purity of pour-over coffee or a rustic cabin in the woods of Big Sur that serves locally roasted blends, the state offers a rich tapestry of unique coffee experiences. Tech-savvy startups have also entered the scene, offering subscription services that deliver freshly roasted specialty coffee right to your doorstep, often complete with detailed profiles of the farmers who grew the beans.

Check out the best coffee roasters our editors and reviewers have tried:

Rank	Roaster
1	Strait Coffee Roasters San Jose, California 4.71(12) • 4 roasts
2	Blue Bottle Coffee San Francisco, California 4.33(28) • 34 roasts
3	Goodboybob Coffee Roasters Santa Monica, California 4.39(16) • 8 roasts
4	Klatch Coffee Rancho Cucamonga, California 4.67(7) • 37 roasts
5	Bird Rock Coffee Roasters California 4.58(6) • 11 roasts
6	Canyon Coffee Los Angeles, California 4.50(7) • 3 roasts
7	3-19 Coffee Oakland, California 5.00(3) • 1 roasts
8	Theory Coffee Roasters Redding, California 5.00(3) • 3 roasts
9	Portola Coffee Lab Costa Mesa, California 5.00(3) • 2 roasts
10	Whiptail Coffee Berkeley, California 4.31(12) • 13 roasts
11	Peet's Coffee & Tea Emeryville, California 4.32(12) • 64 roasts
12	Dune Coffee Roasters Santa Barbara, California 4.75(3) • 10 roasts
13	Coffee ‘n’ Talk San Diego, California 5.00(2) • 2 roasts
14	Cat and Cloud Santa Cruz, California 5.00(2) • 18 roasts
15	Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters California 5.00(2) • 2 roasts
16	Lightwave Coffee California 5.00(2) • 2 roasts
17	Loquat Coffee Los Angeles, California 5.00(2) • 1 roasts
18	Achilles Coffee Roasters San Diego, California 5.00(2) • 15 roasts
19	Ritual Coffee Roasters San Francisco, California 4.67(3) • 9 roasts
20	Dandelion Chocolate San Francisco, California 4.67(3) • 3 roasts
21	Highwire Coffee Roasters Oakland, California 4.50(4) • 11 roasts
22	Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ukiah, California 4.29(8) • 7 roasts
23	MoonGoat Coffee Roasters Costa Mesa, California 4.75(2) • 2 roasts
24	Dayglow Coffee Los Angeles, California 4.75(2) • 1 roasts
25	Kuju Coffee San Francisco, California 4.42(4) • 3 roasts
26	Flower Child Coffee Oakland, California 4.50(3) • 4 roasts
27	River Phin Coffee Roasters Oakland, California 4.50(3) • 2 roasts
28	Black Sheep Coffee Roasters Bishop, California 4.50(3) • 1 roasts
29	Sonreir Coffee Co. San Francisco, California 4.38(4) • 1 roasts
30	Urban Remedy Richmond, California 4.33(4) • 3 roasts

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