These 9 Iconic Foods In Northern California Will Have Your Mouth Watering

You're in the right place if you've always questioned what food is Northern California known for.

The Northern California food market covers unique dishes specific to this part of the country. The Bay Area and beyond is also an eclectic hub of ethnic cultures. This means you can grab dishes like Thai or Korean food for lunch and then enjoy Ethiopian cuisine for dinner. In addition, we also have a few staples that are some of the freshest and most delicious Northern California food you'll ever have. Sound yummy? Read on to learn more about some of the top NorCal foods to try when you're in this part of the state.

1. Artichokes

Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean. Italy, France, and Spain are the largest producers. In the US, Northern California produces close to 100% of all of our artichokes making them a popular Bay Area food too.

2. Ghirardelli Chocolate

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was incorporated in 1852, and is the third-oldest chocolate company in the United States, after Baker's Chocolate and Whitman's. So, if you have a sweet tooth, stop by Ghiradelli's to taste why this Northern California food is one of the sweetest.

3. Garlic

Let's talk garlic, shall we? If you enjoy this delicious bulb of the gods then you know it calls Gilroy, California home. For three days in July people come from all over to eat everything from garlic ice cream to garlic scampi. You can smell why this NorCal food is so popular when you go to this annual festival.

4. Garlic Fries

While we're on the topic of garlic, we must throw out a Northern California favorite: GARLIC FRIES. But, not just any garlic fries. Garlic fries at the Giants stadium. This is legendary Bay Area food!

5. Sourdough Bread

A favorite of gold miners, and thought to have been brought over with Columbus, there's nothing like it. Northern California is the ONLY place to find this incredibly good Bay Area food.

6. Crab

The Northern California coast is a beast when it comes to its delicious seafood. Crab is easy to find and one of the top foods known in this part of the state.

7. Wine

While technically not a food, wine made this list because it's a big part of the NorCal food scene. World-Class wineries can be found in Napa and even El Dorado County. France, we're not all that impressed with you anymore.

8. Walnuts

Spanish missionaries first introduced the English walnut (Juglans regia) to California in the 1700s and commercial walnut production began in the mid to late 1800s. Almost all walnut trees are grown for their nuts in the United States, this Northern California food is produced from Los Molinos to Stockton and even farther south. Therefore, when answering what food is Northern California known for, it makes sense that walnuts cracked this list.

9. Avocado

It takes 5 to 7 years for an avocado tree to mature and bear fruit. Yes, fruit. This is not a veggie--but we don't care. Regardless, locals love this NorCal food.

Now that you know a bit about what food is Northern California known for. do you agree with the items that made this list? Feel free to share what comes to mind when you think of food in NorCal in the following comments section too.