Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is as smog and traffic filled as you’ve heard, but it is also a city with some of the best beer in the world and plenty of fun things to do!

LA Tips: 

• Rent a car. I don’t always recommend renting a car, and you may think I am crazy with what you have heard about LA traffic, but I do recommend it. The city is massive and very spread out so a car is the easiest way to get around. Plus, rideshares like Uber and Lyft are quite expensive in the LA area.

  • If you are planning to Uber/Lyft from the airport you will need to take a shuttle from the terminal. You can’t actually order your ride until you get into the pickup zone but there are cars waiting for riders there.

• Intentionally plan out your time. There are several cities within the Los Angeles area worth exploring—downtown, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, the beaches, and more—that are all spread out, so be sure to have a plan of attack for your visit.

• If you are in town on a Monday or Tuesday be prepared that a lot of businesses (especially breweries) are closed.

• Downtown LA and tourist sites like the Hollywood Walk of Fame are pretty run down—overall I found central LA to be quite dirty. It’s not quite the glitz and glam that movies make it out to be.

• San Diego is closer than you think! It is about two hours from one downtown to the other, but both cities are sprawling so much that you can easily traverse between the two! I highly recommend exploring San Diego while you’re in the LA area—check out all of my San Diego recommendations here!

• Doing a road trip? Check out my Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park guide here and my Las Vegas guide here!

Adventures & Ales Top Los Angeles Recommendations: 

• Monkish Brewing Co: Monkish is arguably one of the best breweries in the country. Their original taproom is located in Torrance, conveniently close to LAX if you are flying in/out of the city. They are best known for their New England IPAs which are absolutely spectacular, but their funky beers are delicious as well. They have a great patio space and food pop-ups Thursday-Sunday.

  • Monkish has a second location in Anaheim next to Farmer’s Park and the Anaheim Packing District. Parking can be a challenge here when the market is busy but it is worth it for their fantastic beers.

• Bottle Logic Brewing: A powerhouse brewery specializing in Stouts located in Anaheim. They have a nice patio, a large tap list, and phenomenal beers.

• Green Cheek Beer Co.: A top-notch brewery with locations in Costa Mesa and Orange. They have a wide array of beers to choose from, including a few guest taps, and they are best known for their Lagers. They also have a small food menu.

• Windsor Homebrew and Bottle Shop: A curated bottle shop and homebrew supply store with locations in Anaheim and Costa Mesa. Their bottle shop selection is incredible and the Anaheim location also has a selection of beers on tap that are hard to find and highly rated.

• Traveling with a group? AvantStay has some amazing larger homes for rent! Use my link here to save $250 off your booking!

• Highland Park Brewery: A fantastic brewery in downtown Los Angeles with a wide variety of beers and delicious food. Chill vibes, great beers.

• Kings Brewing: Located in Rancho Cucamonga, Kings is best known for their thicc Fruited Sours but they also highly value a good crisp Lager. They have a massive tap list and a friendly team.

• Homage Brewing: Homage has two locations—their original taproom is in downtown Pomona and they have a smaller secondary taproom in the Chinatown neighborhood of downtown LA. They are best known for their Saisons and Lambics which are top-notch.

• The Bruery: The Bruery is a highly awarded brewery creating uniquely delicious beers. Their main brewery and taproom is located in Placentia, right near Anaheim, Their second location, Bruery Terreux Tasting Room, is 5 minutes away in Anaheim proper. This location houses their Lambics and Wild Ales, but you can get those on tap at the main taproom as well.

Monkish Brewing

Los Angeles Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting: ​

• Griffith Park: A massive park with hiking, an observatory, access to the Hollywood Sign, a Greek Theater, the L.A. Zoo, tennis courts, a golf course, an equestrian center, and more!

  • I enjoyed the Glendale Peak Trail in Griffith Park that was 3.6 miles long and 67 flights up. It is quite exposed so be sure to bring lots of water. The trail can be popular but on a weekday morning I only saw a few folks. You get great views of the skyline, Hollywood Sign, and surrounding mountains.

• Hit the beach! Whether it is Santa Monica, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, or any of the smaller beaches in between, spend some time at the Pacific Ocean.

• Getting a picture of The Hollywood Sign: While in L.A. this is basically a must do, but it turns out it’s a bit harder than you would expect. You can go to the top of the park but then you are behind the letters and can’t actually read them, so I set out to take a photo from the front of the letters. As a heads up, Google says you can do this from “The Last House on Mulholland” but you cannot, they have closed the road. The entire Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood that is in front of the Hollywood Sign has signs up throughout it preventing parking and there are several roads closed because of tourists. I managed to snag a quick photo near 3389 Deronda Drive, but even that was technically not allowed.

• Elysian Park: Another massive greenspace in the city! There is a good view of the skyline at Angel’s Point.

• Check out the Top of the World: I did the Top of the World via Canyon Acres Trail in Laguna Beach that led to a great viewpoint of the surrounding mountains, ocean, and city. You can also drive up to right below The Top of the World if that is more your style. For the hike it was short but steep—2.7 miles long and 70 flights up. It is very exposed so be sure to bring lots of water. Overall it took me just over an hour and was a great workout with great views.

Griffith Park

Other LA Things To Do:​​

• Radiant Beer Co.: Located in Anaheim, Radiant is a young brewery with vibrant branding and a nice patio. Their beers are solid and they were named 2021 GABF Small Brewery of the Year.

• The Camp: A cute development in Costa Mesa with a bunch of shops and restaurants to explore.

  • Slurpin’ Ramen Bar: A small ramen bar located near The Camp in Costa Mesa with delicious ramen and other appetizers and sides.

• Mumford Brewing: A solid brewery in downtown Los Angeles.

• Sandbox Brewing Company: Sandbox is a small spot known for their Fruited Sours. They are located in an industrial complex in Montclair.

The Best Cities for Beer Vacations

I have explored the beer scene in a lot of cities both domestically and abroad, and it’s time to share the absolute best places for a craft beer vacation.

To make the list you have to have a high quantity of breweries, but also some fantastic breweries. There are a lot of cities with a ton of breweries that make average to mediocre beer. These cities all have folks absolutely crushing the game.

In no particular order, here are the best cities in the United States and abroad for beer vacations:

The Best US Cities for Beer Vacations:

Richmond, Virginia

Richmond has a ton of breweries and some that are truly fantastic. Scott’s Addition itself is jam packed with breweries but the rest of RVA has some great beers to offer as well. Highlights here include Triple Crossing, The Veil, The Answer and Tabol for breweries and Mekong for a great beer bar. Check out my Richmond beer and travel guide here.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville has long been deemed one of the best beer cities in the country, so it is no surprise that I would agree. This picturesque city is home to some huge breweries like Sierra Nevada, Highland, and New Belgium, but also more localized spots like Burial, Dssolvr, Zillicoah, and New Origin. Don’t miss The Whale for a great beer bar! Check out my Asheville beer and travel guide here.

Denver, Colorado

Of course Denver is on the list. With superb breweries like Cerebral, Bierstadt, Our Mutual Friend, and TRVE it’s hard to beat the brew scene here. Pair that with everything else the city has to offer and the surrounding scenery and you’re absolutely in for a good time. Check out my Colorado beer and travel guide here.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

As a Michigander this addition should be no surprise, but it’s not just me and my home state biases—Grand Rapids is constantly in the running for any “beer city” competition. Don’t miss Speciation Artisan Ales, Arvon, and City Built for breweries and for Seven Monks for a beer bar. The city is exploding with breweries to explore. Check out my Grand Rapids beer and travel guide here.

New York City, New York

I’m sure most “normal people” wouldn’t think of New York as a hub for craft beer, but the city that never sleeps is indeed a great spot for craft beer lovers. The beer bar scene here tends to shine brightest with spots like Torst, Beer Street, and Proletariat, while breweries such as Other Half, Fifth Hammer, and Evil Twin absolutely crush it. Check out my NYC beer and travel guide here.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has a wide array of breweries throughout their many neighborhoods and suburbs. Heavy hitters include Maplewood, More, Mikerphone and Revolution, plus don’t miss Phase Three in the northern suburb of Lake Zurich. Check out my Chicago beer and travel guide here.

The Twin Cities, Minnesota

The Twin Cities are exploding with breweries! Highlights include BlackStack, Barrel Theory, Fair State, Modist, and Falling Knife. The beer scene here tends to be somewhat IPA heavy, but the beers are superb and there are plenty of spots to explore. Check out my Minneapolis and St. Paul beer and travel guide here.

Portland, Maine

We all know New England is chock full of great breweries and particularly Hazy IPAs, but Portland’s beer scene is unmatched. With OG spots like Allagash, Maine Beer Company, and Oxbow alongside newer (and hazier) breweries like Mast Landing, Belleflower, and Bissell Brothers, you can find an absolutely superb beer of any style. Don’t miss the killer beer bar Novare Res Bier Cafe as well! Check out my Portland beer and travel guide here.

Los Angeles, California

LA might not seem like a great beer city at first glance but this sprawling metro is home to some of the country’s best breweries. LA’s southern neighbor San Diego gets all of the praise for craft beer, but LA’s scene is far superior. Monkish, Bottle Logic, Green Cheek, Homage, and Highland Park all call LA home, along with a ton of other great spots. Windsor Home Brew is a fantastic beer bar and bottle shop that is not to be missed either. Check out my LA beer and travel guide here.

Portland, Oregon

Portland’s beer scene has been exploding for decades. The city is overflowing with breweries and it seems a new one opens almost weekly at this point. There are some solid spots in PDX, and topping the list are Great Notion, Cascade, Ruse, and Wayfinder. Check out my Portland beer and travel guide here.

Charlotte, NC

I wouldn’t live in Charlotte if I didn’t think the beer scene here was superb! There are a ton of breweries in the city, but Resident Culture, Burial, HopFly, and Fonta Flora top the list. CLT is also home to some fantastic beer bars—Salud and Pop The Top should not be missed. Check out my Charlotte guide here.

Tampa, Florida

Tampa absolutely crushes the dark beer game. There are a lot of breweries that make great other styles of beer, but if your a Stout person Tampa is for you! Brewery highlights include Angry Chair, BarrieHaus, Woven Water, and Magnanimous. Check out my Tampa beer and travel guide here. Neighboring St. Pete is also full of great spots!

Notable Mentions:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—Check out my Philly beer and travel guide here! I am excited to be back in May 2024!

Burlington, Vermont—This is the one beer city that I believe will be stupendous that I have not yet visited, but I do think it is probably one of the best cities for a beer vacation. My plans to visit have been foiled numerous times now, but I will finally be there in June 2024!

The Best Cities Abroad for Beer Vacations:

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is a gorgeous city with a booming beer scene, especially for Oceania. Stomping Ground, Fixation, Mood Dog, and Mountain Goat are the best of the best here, but there are a ton of spots to visit. Check out my Melbourne beer and travel guide here.

Munich, Germany

Is it possible to think of “beer cities” and not think of Germany? Munich is home to some classic gems like Augustiner Keller, Lowenbrau, Hofbrauhaus, and Paulaner. Pair a cold mug from any of their breweries with a pretzel or sausage and it’s impossible to have a bad time. Check out my Munich beer and travel guide here.

Brussels, Belgium

Another classic beer city! Personally I think the not-so-classic Belgian beers here outperform the dubbels and tripels. Cantillon is obviously the top choice here, but Moeder Lambic and Delirium should not be missed either! Check out my Belgium beer and travel guide here.

Wellington, New Zealand

My beer expectations for New Zealand were low, but the country as a whole is making some killer beers. Wellington in particular has a stand out beer scene. It is home to Garage Project, the country’s best brewery hands down, but Parrotdog is also a must-visit. Check out my North Island beer and travel guide here.

What are your favorite cities in the world for beer travel? Let me know in the comments! Cheers—Alexis

The Best Breweries in Southern California

Southern California is full of fantastic breweries, including some of the top breweries in the world! It can be overwhelming to plan a beer trip to this area just because there are simply so many breweries and a lot of those breweries also have multiple taprooms. For full guides to this area, check out my San Diego beer and travel guide here and my Los Angeles guide here.

In ranking order, here are the best breweries in Southern California:

Monkish Brewing Co: Torrance and Anaheim

Monkish is arguably one of the best breweries in the country. Their original taproom is located in Torrance, conveniently close to LAX if you are flying in/out of the city. They are best known for their New England IPAs which are absolutely spectacular, but their funky beers are delicious as well. Monkish has a second location in Anaheim next to Farmer’s Park and the Anaheim Packing District.

Bottle Logic Brewing: Anaheim

Bottle Logic is a powerhouse brewery specializing in Stouts. They have a nice patio, a large tap list, and phenomenal beers in Anaheim.

Pure Project: San Diego Area

Pure Project is easily the best brewery in the San Diego area. They have several locations to check out—Vista, Miramar, Balboa Park, Carlsbad and North Park. Their “Murky” IPAs, Stouts, Sours and Lagers are all superb.

Homage Brewing: Pomona and downtown Los Angeles

Homage is best known for their Saisons and Lambics, which are top-notch. Homage has two locations—their original taproom is in downtown Pomona and they have a smaller secondary taproom in the Chinatown neighborhood of downtown LA.

Green Cheek Beer Co.: Costa Mesa and Orange

A stellar brewery with a wide array of beers to choose from, including a few guest taps. They are best known for their Lagers and IPAs and have taprooms in Costa Mesa and Orange.

Highland Park Brewery: Downtown Los Angeles

Highland Park is a fantastic brewery in downtown Los Angeles with a wide variety of beers and delicious food. They have great beers and chill vibes.

Kings Brewing: Rancho Cucamonga

Kings is best known for their thiccc Fruited Sours but they also highly value a good crisp Lager. They have a massive tap list and a friendly team, located in Rancho Cucamonga.

North Park Beer Co.: San Diego

North Park does all styles of beer well! West Coast IPAs, Hazy IPAs, Lagers, Stouts—they are all fantastic. Their taproom in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego has chill vibes.

Burgeon Beer Company: Carlsbad

Burgeon is a great brewery with a wide variety of beers to choose from. Each style is executed well and their taproom is a fun place to hang out.

The Bruery: Placentia & Anaheim

The Bruery is a highly awarded brewery creating uniquely delicious beers. Their main brewery and taproom is located in Placentia, right near Anaheim. Their second location, Bruery Terreux Tasting Room, is 5 minutes away in Anaheim proper. This location houses their Lambics and Wild Ales, but you can get those on tap at the main taproom as well.

The Lost Abbey: San Diego Area

The Lost Abbey is a Belgian brewery with four tasting rooms in the San Diego area—The Main Tasting Room in San Marcos, The Church in downtown San Diego, The Sanctuary in San Marcos, and The Confessional in Cardiff-By-The-Sea. They focus on Belgian-style Ales and barrel aged beers.

What are your top breweries in southern california? Let me know in the comments! Cheers—Alexis