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.