The local bars, restaurants and clubs in California are known as some of the finest around, and if you are lucky enough to live in this state you should already know that you have access to some of the finest food and drink in the nation. Even if the town you live in does not have any good local bars and restaurants, it is only a short drive to one of the major culinary epicenters of the west coast. The San Francisco restaurants and the Los Angeles bars make good excuses to get of town for the evening or weekend, depending on which end of the nation you live in.

There are more San Francisco restaurants than you could dream of visiting in a lifetime, but if you're in town for a Giants game you'll need to try out Big Nate's Barbeque. Former Golden State Warriors Nate Thurmond opened this popular Memphis-style barbeque joint in 1974, which offers southern and soul food. If you're looking for more traditional San Francisco restaurants, on the other hand, don't miss the nearly 160 year-old Tadich Grill. They offer favorites such as fried calamari, Dungeness crab cakes, sand dabs, cioppino and creamed spinach. For classic upscale French fare for lunch, dinner, or late-night caf? after the nearby symphony, ballet and opera, try Absinthe Bar & Grill.

The Los Angeles bars are enough of an attraction to plan a whole vacation around, but if you live in Southern California you have the lucky option of coming just for the evening or the weekend. The Bar, for example, is one of Hollywood's hottest revamped watering holes with newly renovated digs and eye-catching patrons. Mood is another one of the popular Los Angeles bars located in Hollywood, with Balinese-inspired designs that attract sexy young Hollywood socialites and starlets. If you want to head to Melrose, though, Forty Deuce across from Paramount Pictures might be up your alley. This modern institution has been transformed into a retro-cool lounge reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy that features burlesque shows, a live jazz band and fine cocktails.

These local bars and restaurants of the west coast attract people fro all over the country and the world, but for those of us lucky enough to reside here the trip isn't quite as far.