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	Blue Bottle San Francisco, California 4.25(21) • 30 roasts
2	Strait Coffee Roasters San Jose, California 4.67(5) • 2 roasts
3	3-19 Coffee Oakland, California 5.00(3) • 1 roasts
4	Theory Coffee Roasters Redding, California 5.00(3) • 3 roasts
5	Portola Coffee Lab Costa Mesa, California 5.00(3) • 2 roasts
6	Klatch Coffee Rancho Cucamonga, California 4.75(4) • 35 roasts
7	Whiptail Coffee Berkeley, California 4.31(12) • 13 roasts
8	Canyon Coffee Los Angeles, California 4.50(6) • 3 roasts
9	Dune Coffee Roasters Santa Barbara, California 4.75(3) • 10 roasts
10	Loquat Coffee Los Angeles, California 5.00(2) • 1 roasts
11	Cat and Cloud Santa Cruz, California 5.00(2) • 18 roasts
12	Coffee ‘n’ Talk San Diego, California 5.00(2) • 2 roasts
13	Achilles Coffee Roasters San Diego, California 5.00(2) • 15 roasts
14	Ritual Coffee Roasters San Francisco, California 4.67(3) • 9 roasts
15	Dandelion Chocolate San Francisco, California 4.67(3) • 3 roasts
16	MoonGoat Coffee Roasters Costa Mesa, California 4.75(2) • 2 roasts
17	Bird Rock Coffee Roasters California 4.75(2) • 10 roasts
18	Dayglow Coffee Los Angeles, California 4.75(2) • 1 roasts
19	Sonreir Coffee Co. San Francisco, California 4.38(4) • 1 roasts
20	Urban Remedy Richmond, California 4.33(4) • 3 roasts
21	Mono Coffee Cerritos, California 5.00(1) • 1 roasts
22	Nostalgia Coffee Roasters San Diego, California 5.00(1) • 1 roasts
23	Communal Coffee San Diego, California 5.00(1) • 2 roasts
24	Calioh Coffee Moorpark, California 5.00(1) • 1 roasts
25	Made Coffee Fullerton, California 5.00(1) • 1 roasts
26	Dripp Coffee Fullerton, California 5.00(1) • 1 roasts
27	Linea Caffe San Francisco, California 5.00(1) • 3 roasts
28	Mr. Espresso Oakland, California 5.00(1) • 4 roasts
29	Old Soul Co. California 5.00(1) • 2 roasts
30	Pacific Bay Coffee Co. California 5.00(1) • 1 roasts

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