One of the best things about California is its diverse cuisine. A true melting pot of cultures from, literally, everywhere in the world, the state is awash in gastronomy.

And culture is definitely on full display when you look at the epicurean landscape. But if you grew up in California, there are several distinctive dishes that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Sourdough BreadSourdough bread shows up all over the food scene, making its mark here in the mid-1800s during the California Gold Rush era.

Getty Images You will find it everywhere, from standing in as an edible bowl filled high with clam chowder (most famously along San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf), holding together scrumptious sandwiches, and as French toast, just to name a few options.

BurritosThis classic dish, typically made with rice, beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and some kind of meat or chicken, is synonymous with The Golden State.

Getty Images With the close proximity and long-standing history between Mexico and the United States, California in particular, it’s no wonder that burritos have always been a part of the culture.

Cobb SaladIf you’re going to have a salad named after you, this is a good one. Its namesake was the restauranteur—Robert Cobb—of The Brown Derby.

Getty Images Legend has it that, back in the 1930s, Cobb was trying to decide what to do with several leftovers in the restaurant kitchen. Taking the errant salad greens, avocados, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, chicken breast, and bacon that he found, he pulled them all together in what has now become one of the most enduring dishes in the country.

California-Style PizzaAlthough the ingredients vary, the name says it all – born and bred in California.

Getty Images The traditional characteristic of any California-Style Pizza is the crust – thin, soft yet slightly crispy, and with a savory Italian taste. From there, any toppings are fair game! You’d be hard-pressed to find a kid—a little one or an adult one—who doesn’t love this famous dish!

California RollsKeeping with the state-named theme, California Rolls have made their mark as well.

Getty Images This Japanese-inspired dish of white rice pressed together and rolled up with avocado, cucumber, and fish and/or crabmeat has long been a part of the gastronomic landscape here. But over the years, those who don’t like seafood have made it without (a fact that Sushi enthusiasts often decry as not the real thing), earning it the “California-version” moniker. Still, it’s a state favorite.

Are any of these dishes part of your childhood dining experiences? If so, we’d love to know where you go in The Golden State when you have a hankering for a classic California food fix.

Getty Images

You will find it everywhere, from standing in as an edible bowl filled high with clam chowder (most famously along San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf), holding together scrumptious sandwiches, and as French toast, just to name a few options.

With the close proximity and long-standing history between Mexico and the United States, California in particular, it’s no wonder that burritos have always been a part of the culture.

Legend has it that, back in the 1930s, Cobb was trying to decide what to do with several leftovers in the restaurant kitchen. Taking the errant salad greens, avocados, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, chicken breast, and bacon that he found, he pulled them all together in what has now become one of the most enduring dishes in the country.

The traditional characteristic of any California-Style Pizza is the crust – thin, soft yet slightly crispy, and with a savory Italian taste. From there, any toppings are fair game! You’d be hard-pressed to find a kid—a little one or an adult one—who doesn’t love this famous dish!

This Japanese-inspired dish of white rice pressed together and rolled up with avocado, cucumber, and fish and/or crabmeat has long been a part of the gastronomic landscape here. But over the years, those who don’t like seafood have made it without (a fact that Sushi enthusiasts often decry as not the real thing), earning it the “California-version” moniker. Still, it’s a state favorite.

As the third-largest state in the country, California has a lot of culinary gifts to offer. These 9 iconic foods in the Northern and 9 iconic foods in the Southern parts of the state will have your mouth watering!

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