California is home to a wealth of culinary traditions, thanks to the Golden State’s sunny climate, ocean access, diverse population and agricultural prowess. It may be impossible to try every edible wonder the state has to offer, but here’s a list of must-try dishes to get you started.

Illustration by Hello Neighbor Designs

Californians are fiercely proud of their incredible avocados; they've turned the creamy green fruit into an everlasting fad. Aside from the ubiquitous guacamole throughout the state, avocado shows up in everything from burgers to ice cream, but one of the most-popular ways to enjoy avocados is mashed high on top of toast. There are endless ways to modify avocado toast topped with caviar, feta, radishes and then some, but keeping it simple can be just as delicious. At Dinette in Los Angeles’ trendy Echo Park neighborhood, an order of avocado toast gets you a Texas-toast-size slice of rustic bread topped with a limey, fresh heap of crushed avocado seasoned with chile flakes, parsley and delicate snowflake-like flecks of salt. You’ll need a fork and knife to cut through this toast steak.

Photo courtesy of Natalie B. Compton

The waterfront city of San Francisco is a fount of classic seafood dishes, and cioppino is one of its most iconic. The fish stew is usually made with a collection of Pacific-caught fare, including any mix and match of squid, Dungeness crab, mussels, clams and white fish, with a tomato and wine sauce base. It’s only natural to order the Italian-American dish in North Beach, San Francisco’s Little Italy neighborhood, where the stew was supposedly invented. Grab a table at Ferry Plaza Seafood with views of Washington Square Park. The restaurant sources ingredients from vendors who practice environmentally sustainable fishing.

Photo courtesy of Natalie B. Compton

While In-N-Out may now exist in other states, it remains a cherished piece of California history dating back to 1948, when Harry Snyder opened the state’s first drive-thru burger stand. The Double-Double didn’t come around until the ‘60s (for a whopping 60 cents a burger), but it has become such an institution that it now rocks its own registered trademark. The hefty burger is made up of two American beef patties (free of additives, fillers and preservatives), two slices of American cheese, a slice of tomato, crisp lettuce and some Thousand Island-esque dressing called its “spread” on a freshly baked bun. Don’t forget an order of fries.

Photo courtesy of Natalie B. Compton