Nestled Between Santa Monica And San Diego Is California's Best Pizzeria For 2026 With Scenic Rooftop Views

In the hidden surfing haven of Dana Point, the waves are big and beautiful — and the pizza is pretty far out, too. The city's Truly Pizza has won the 2026 crown for California's best pizzeria, per The Best Pizza Awards, cracking the global top 100. Open since 2023, Truly Pizza has amassed a cult following for its Instagrammable pies (made with cold-fermented dough yielding a light, blistered crust) and rooftop seating boasting shoreline views. The pizzas, along with salads, focaccia sandwiches, and appetizers, use locally sourced ingredients — think fresh mozzarella, basil, vegetables, and meats.

Truly Pizza ranked 32nd in the global list, and Tony's Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco came in 35th. Unsurprisingly, pizzerias in Italy dominated the rankings, taking the top three spots. More than 500 chefs and culinary experts from 62 countries cast their votes based on innovative techniques, artistry, and local ingredients. 

Tucked between Santa Monica and San Diego in Orange County, the Dana Point location is in the Lantern District, a walkable hub of shops and restaurants with palm tree-lined streets and wide sidewalks. Shaded by decorative lemon trees with bistro chair seating, the restaurant has two patios, including a rooftop setting with ocean views (described as "glorious" by a Tripadvisor customer). It's best to make a reservation — no easy feat – or face long waits as a walk-in. Or try Truly Pizza's other locations: A second location is in Laguna Beach, while a third arrives in Venice Beach in late 2026.

Truly Pizza's founders and chefs have pedigree. One founder and partner, John Arena, is a pizzaiolo who has crafted pizzas for five presidents. Chefs Chris Decker and Michael Vakneen are World Pizza Champions – a competitive group of pizza professionals – laser-focused on pizza dough. Vakneen tells KTLA 5, "We have a very obsessive dough program that we agonize over," in a quest to prevent bloating. "Our whole goal is to have you eat, like, three or four slices and not feel weighed down," Decker adds. 

There are two distinct pizzas here — the crispy, round pizzas and the airy, square-shaped pies — each offered in multiple varieties and often topped with flourishes of unconventional ingredients. There's the round Crispy Pepperoni with fresh basil and the Umami Mushroom pizza loaded with roasted mushrooms, toasted sesame oil, and bonito flakes. Novel touches on the square pies include pickled Fresno peppers alongside meatballs and baked ricotta on the Mamma Mia and Mike's Hot Honey flecked on the Sweet & Spicy pizza, piled with soppressata and stracciatella cheese. Gluten-free options are available, but the menu doesn't list choices for customizable pies, so keep an open mind.

Along with its tasty fare, patrons appreciate Truly Pizza's attention to detail. "You can tell this spot doesn't cut corners," writes one Yelp fan. "The quality of the ingredients stands out in every dish." While the pizza is the star of the show, the service also earns heaps of praise. "The service was impeccable," pens a Tripadvisor patron. "Our joyful server's recommendations were spot-on." Foodies looking for more suggestions for the best Orange County restaurants can also try out the region's top Mexican, French, and Japanese omakase-style cuisines. Or, if you're craving pizza on the opposite coast, head to New York's Una Pizza Napoletana, named "the best pizzeria in the world."