7 Best California Boba Spots

Boba tea in California has become a true sensation in recent years, and you now can find quirky tea houses selling this iconic Taiwanese beverage both in NorCal and SoCal. Of course, the Cali scene takes boba to a whole new level of delicious popularity. You might say that the Golden State is the spiritual home of boba, and indeed it’s hard to argue with that. What better place to enjoy a cool refreshing milk tea than in a sunny state with endless beaches and plenty of chill vibes? If you’re in the mood for some California poke and boba and you’re wondering where’s the best, we’ve got you covered. Here are the seven best Boba places in California worth spending your money on.   

MILK+T: Los Angeles

310 East 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012

Boba places in Los Angeles come in many flavors and sizes, but Milk+T stands apart because it takes California boba to a premium art form. Nestled away in up-and-coming Little Tokyo, Milk+T has made it their mission to offer the best in bespoke artisanal boba tea. Drinks start at $5 at this woman-owned business and include the highest quality top-shelf ingredients and delectable add-ons like coffee ice cream, brown sugar black milk tea, and “The Boyfriend”, cookies and cream-infused green milk tea. Milk+T’s experienced baristas craft some of the best boba teas you’ll ever have in the City of Angels. 

Cha Redefine: Los Angeles

20 East Union Street #110, Pasadena, CA, 91103

True to their name, Cha Redefine creates boba tea combinations that you won’t find at any other California boba establishment. Using the finest local ingredients, Cha Redefine has created several ground-breaking new flavors that combine Sri Lankan black tea, fresh milk, honey-roasted pecans, and the freshest brown sugar boba for a refreshing drink you won’t soon forget. 

Cha Redefine also experiments with other drinks and has interesting takes on cafe classics, such as a cappuccino made with tea instead of coffee. If you’d prefer a dairy-free beverage, worry not, as Cha Redefine offers an intriguing range of eclectic avocado foam drinks. Everyone gets to try something new at Cha Redefine, and they’ll get to enjoy tea imported straight from Asia blissfully wed to organic milk and fruit from the Golden State’s rich farmlands.  

Lady Luck Cafe: San Francisco 

956 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108

Located right in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Chinatown, Lady Luck Cafe is a modern upscale California boba tea establishment that places quality front and center. Opened in 2021, this is not just another poke and boba California joint but rather a place that elevates the boba craft to an art. To wit, Lady Luck serves the highest quality assortment of boba teas in the Bay Area. We recommend trying Lady Luck’s amazing Mango Green Tea, or if you’re a cappuccino aficionado, their great coffee. 

Lady Luck’s coffee beans are sourced from Proyecto Diaz, a coffee-growing collective from the verdant hills of Oaxaca, Mexico. Beat a rainy SanFran day and stop by Lady Luck’s tastefully modernist cafe for a boba or a brew, and whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’ll feel right at home. Much like their beverages, the interior is designed to be premium, with gorgeous hardwood tables, white marble countertops, and bespoke Italian coffee machines. 

Yifang Taiwan Fruit Tea: San Jose 

1147 South De Anza Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95129

Yifang is a Taiwanese family business that has worked for generations to create the best California boba teas using natural ingredients. Their organic ingredients come straight from the family farmlands in Taiwan, and their trademark boba flavor was devised from a homemade pineapple jam recipe that is a closely guarded family secret. Using high-grade cane sugar, seasonal fresh fruit, and all types of organic milk, Yifang keeps the family tradition alive with the best boba in California. 

However, while Yifang may value tradition, this does not mean it is stuck in the past. On the contrary, this trendy California boba spot is always branching out and trying new boba combinations to keep things fresh. Yifang is also expanding its food options with Taiwanese favorites such as sumptuous freshly baked egg pancakes. All this makes Yifang a great place to stop by for a quick brunch and a refreshing California boba beverage. 

Bober Tea & Coffee: Sacramento

1801 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95811

With featured menu items like Stir Fried Boba, Pink Haze, and Strawberry Chizu with a mochi donut you know that Bober Tea & Coffee is something else. This Sacramento-based California boba spot is at the top of its game both in terms of the quality of its innovative boba drinks and the aesthetic of its cafe. Stepping into Bober Tea & Coffee is like entering a realm of tranquility far removed from all worldly problems. This is thanks to the colorful light pink decor of the place that incorporates a delightfully biophilic rose-filled design. 

The cool thing about this place is the sheer choice you have on offer. You can stick with traditional classics like Vietnamese iced coffee and black milk tea, or if you’re feeling adventurous, go for something decadent like a pink haze tea with its trademark pink foam. Add a mochi donut or two, and you got yourself an excellent combo for a relaxing evening snack. 

Sunny’s BoBa & More: Santa Rosa 

519 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

The name says it all with this California boba place. To make the best boba in California means adopting that quintessentially sunny Cali disposition, and Sunny’s BoBa & More hits the spot in that regard. Their quirky little tea house has become a local Santa Rosa favorite thanks to their quick friendly service and flamboyant menu items including Mango Madness, Earth Shake, and Butterfly Lemonade. You’ll never be left wanting for something exciting at Sunny’s, and there’s a little bit of something here for everyone. 

Asha Tea House: Berkeley 

2086 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 96704

Founded by two engineers, this buzzing Berkeley cafe has quickly become famous locally for serving the best boba in California, crafted to perfection. Asha’s mission is to bring tea lovers from all walks of life together in one cozy minimalist spot with the highest quality teas and specialty beverages. At Asha, everything is made from scratch, and as such, their menu items, such as Asian pear Oolong tea and matcha fresco, are precisely crafted for the best taste and quality. 

Asha’s menu is also small and seasonal, allowing this boutique boba shop to ensure that the ingredients used in your brew are all-organic and high-quality. If you’re not a fan of tea, no problem, as this happening California boba shop also carries some excellent coffee brands, including Intelligentsia Coffee, an upscale coffee bean producer from Illinois. Asha is meant to be a “home away from home” for boba tea lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike, so why not stop by next time you pass through the Bay Area?  

Disclaimer: California.com does not receive any kind of compensation for reviewing any of the products or services mentioned in this article.