California is renowned for its breathtaking mountain ranges, vast deserts, and beautiful forests. It also has two iconic dream cities: Los Angeles and San Francisco.

California boasts a vibrant population that encourages creative endeavors. This makes it an ideal destination for discovering art, cuisine, and culture.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is America’s favorite salad condiment, thanks to its roots in California.

The ranch is a beloved buttermilk-based salad dressing or dip made with buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, herbs (like dill and parsley), spices, and mayonnaise. It’s often served as a dipping sauce for carrot sticks, pizza, and chicken wings.

In the 1950s, Steve Henson – a former construction worker and cook from Alaska – created what would become known as Ranch Dressing while working on his ranch near Santa Barbara. He and his wife Gayle began serving it to guests at their ranch.

Ranch dressing is a delicious combination of buttermilk, mayonnaise, vinegar, and various spices and herbs. While you could substitute yogurt or vinegar for the mayonnaise, buttermilk gives this classic dish its unique tangy and rich taste.

In-N-Out Burger

One of California’s iconic burger chains, In-N-Out Burger, offers delicious burgers and fries at locations across the state. Additionally, they serve a selection of shakes and fountain drinks.

Harry Snyder, the chain’s founder, opened the first In-N-Out Burger stand in 1948 in Baldwin Park. He envisioned a drive-thru hamburger stand where customers could order through a speaker box rather than dealing with car hops.

Since 1976, In-N-Out has been serving up quality burgers, fries, and shakes to customers worldwide. Today there are 300 locations throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Texas, each boasting its distinct taste!

At In-N-Out, they serve a variety of items, including hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and their signature “Double Double” (two beef patties and two slices of American cheese). Fries are hand diced from fresh whole potatoes before being served with ketchup or mustard. Plus, there are various milkshakes to choose from as well.

Fresh Fruit Stands

Fruit stands are an ancient form of food distribution. Some are seasonal and change locations annually, while others are permanent fixtures along a major road. The most common model is the roadside fruit stand alongside an established route.

These businesses tend to be small, personal ventures run by individuals; however, many large food industry corporations have grown from them. Despite their understated nature, these operations are critical in maintaining our food supply.

Plenty of family-owned farm stands throughout California offer delicious produce, baked goods, and more if you require a fresh fruit fix. Some are more commercial than others, but all provide an extensive selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Plus, many also sell flowers and other home goods.

California Cuisine

California cuisine is a style of cooking that highlights seasonal produce and seafood while drawing inspiration from the state’s diverse cultures.

This culinary movement began in 1952 with Helen Brown’s West Coast Cookbook. Her book advocated using local, seasonal, and excellent ingredients rather than relying on prepackaged items from the grocery store.

Chefs in California began searching for local farmers and purveyors, creating daily menus to reflect what was available. This spurred a wildly diverse food movement that quickly spread throughout the U.S.
It’s a creative movement that fuses classic French cooking with locally grown and sustainably raised produce, proteins, and spices. It draws from California’s diverse culture while adding international influences to create dishes that are both innovative and comforting.