Burger Restaurants in California – Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Burger Restaurants in California

When Guy Fieri fires up the Camaro and cruises through California in search of the ultimate burger, he’s never disappointed. The Golden State has delivered 32 flame-grilled, juicy destinations to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives since 2007, with 25 still serving up their signature creations today. From the sun-soaked streets of Palm Desert to the foggy shores of San Francisco, California’s burger joints have earned an impressive average rating of 4.4 stars from hungry patrons.

Among the standouts, Zoftig Eatery in Santa Rosa and Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café in Victorville both reign supreme with 4.7-star ratings, while the legendary Hodad’s in Ocean Beach continues to pack in crowds with its 4.6-star reputation. These aren’t your average fast-food patties—they’re handcrafted masterpieces that earned Guy’s famous “Winner, winner, chicken dinner” seal of approval. Whether you’re chasing a classic smash burger in Los Angeles or hunting down a gourmet creation in San Diego, these Triple D-approved spots prove California knows how to stack a bun.

Zoftig Eatery

Zoftig Eatery

Still Open

Santa Rosa, California

★★★★☆ 4.7
Episode 383: From Big Burgers to Little Italy
BurgerDessert
Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café

Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café

Still Open

Victorville, California

★★★★☆ 4.7
Episode 14: Route 66
BurgerBreakfast
Hodads

Hodads

Still Open

Ocean Beach, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 452: Takeout: Carnivore Delivery
Burger
Nighthawk Breakfast Bar

Nighthawk Breakfast Bar

Still Open

Venice, Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 362: Breakfast, Brisket and Belly
BBQBurgerBreakfast
24th Street Cafe

24th Street Cafe

Still Open

Bakersfield, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 277: Sweet, Savory and Saucy
BurgerBreakfastDessert
The Refuge

The Refuge

Still Open

San Carlos, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 220: Meat Lover's Paradise
AmericanBurgerSandwich
The Golden State

The Golden State

Permanently Closed

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 202: Hittin' the Grill
BurgerSandwich
Tioli’s Crazee Burger

Tioli’s Crazee Burger

Still Open

San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 49: Grabbin' a Sandwich
BurgerSandwich
Hodad’s

Hodad’s

Still Open

Ocean Beach, San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 15: Seaside Eats
Burger
Taylor’s Automatic Refresher

Taylor’s Automatic Refresher

Still Open

St. Helena, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 9: Retro
AmericanBurger
Gastro Grind Burgers

Gastro Grind Burgers

Still Open

Palm Desert, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 487: Stellar Sandwiches and Big-Time Burgers
BurgerSandwich
The Real Italian Deli

The Real Italian Deli

Still Open

Palm Desert, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 487: Stellar Sandwiches and Big-Time Burgers
ItalianBurgerSandwich
Scolari’s Good Eats

Scolari’s Good Eats

Still Open

Alameda, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 374: Playin' Chicken
BurgerChicken
Grill-a-Burger

Grill-a-Burger

Still Open

Palm Desert, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 345: Burgers, Beef and Barbecue
AmericanBBQBurger
HoBo’s BBQ

HoBo’s BBQ

Still Open

Temecula, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 345: Burgers, Beef and Barbecue
BBQBurger
Patrick’s Roadhouse

Patrick’s Roadhouse

Permanently Closed

Santa Monica, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 3: Blue Plate Special
BurgerBreakfast
Brooks Burgers SLO

Brooks Burgers SLO

Permanently Closed

San Luis Obispo, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 537: Sandwich Smorgasbord
BurgerSandwich
The Bun Shop

The Bun Shop

Still Open

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 327: Burgers, Buns and Bagels
BurgerBreakfast
Clove and Hoof

Clove and Hoof

Still Open

Oakland, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 313: Succulent Sandwiches
AmericanBurgerSandwich
Burger Me!

Burger Me!

Still Open

Truckee, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 112: Burgers ‘n More
AmericanBurger
The Oinkster

The Oinkster

Still Open

Eagle Rock, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 93: Stacked, Stuffed & Loaded
Burger
Fab Hot Dogs

Fab Hot Dogs

Still Open

Reseda, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 79: Burgers, Tacos & Dogs
MexicanBurgerSandwich
Tiger! Tiger!

Tiger! Tiger!

Still Open

San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 405: Crazy Chicken and Twisted Burgers
BurgerChickenBreakfast
Sin of Cortez

Sin of Cortez

Still Open

Chico, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 398: Burger and Breakfast
BurgerBreakfast
Fat Sal’s Deli

Fat Sal’s Deli

Still Open

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 243: Righteous Bites
BurgerSandwich
Tee Off Bar & Grill

Tee Off Bar & Grill

Permanently Closed

San Francisco, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 91: Burgers, Steaks & Chops
Burger
Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant

Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant

Still Open

San Francisco, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 24: Burgers, Rings and Fries
AmericanBurger
Squeeze Inn

Squeeze Inn

Permanently Closed

Sacramento, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 7: Burgers
AmericanBurger
Tavern on 2

Tavern on 2

Permanently Closed

Long Beach, California

★★★★☆ 4.2
Episode 251: All Day Dining
AmericanBurger
Eight Noodle Shop

Eight Noodle Shop

Permanently Closed

Napa, California

★★★★☆ 4.1
Episode 385: Burgers, Bacon and BBQ
BBQBurgerAsian
Jax At The Trax

Jax At The Trax

Still Open

Truckee, California

★★★★☆ 4.1
Episode 108: Comfort Food With Attitude
AmericanBurgerBreakfast
Grubstake Diner

Grubstake Diner

Still Open

San Francisco, California

★★★★☆ 4.1
Episode 20: One of a Kind
AmericanBurgerBreakfast