VENICE. There aren't a lot of frills at this pizza place, which locals declare serves up some of the best pizza they've ever eaten. Enjoy oven-fresh pies topped with classic toppings or more interesting pizzas with pesto sauce and an assortment of mushrooms or tequila-marinated chicken. Although toppings get their due, the bagel-like crust is what really puts these pizzas over the edge on the tastiness scale. Casual dress and friendly atmosphere.

STUDIO CITY. Leave it to the guy who invented California pizza for Wolfgang Puck's Spago to open his own place and dish up treats like these! Indulge in fabulous smoked salmon pizza topped with crisp chives and golden caviar or lamb-sausage pizza with grilled eggplant, roasted garlic, and goat cheese. Of course traditional pizzas also make an appearance ­ some with unusual takes on traditional ingredients, such as shallot and potato pizza.

BEVERLY HILLS. California Pizza Kitchen is synonymous with gourmet pizza in So Cal, especially because it was the first to introduce the concept. The menu offers various pie concoctions, including ones that feature Peking duck, barbecue chicken (a definite favorite), and Japanese eggplant. For something that doesn't come in slices, choose Portobello mushroom ravioli, jambalaya, or a grilled rosemary chicken sandwich. There are several locations in Los Angeles county.

MANHATTAN BEACH. California Pizza Kitchen is synonymous with gourmet pizza in So Cal, especially because it was the first to introduce the concept. The menu offers various pie concoctions, including ones that feature Peking duck, barbecue chicken (a definite favorite), and Japanese eggplant. For something that doesn't come in slices, choose Portobello mushroom ravioli, jambalaya, or a grilled rosemary chicken sandwich. There are several locations in Los Angeles county.

BRENTWOOD. California Pizza Kitchen is synonymous with gourmet pizza in So Cal, especially because it was the first to introduce the concept. The menu offers various pie concoctions, including ones that feature Peking duck, barbecue chicken (a definite favorite), and Japanese eggplant. For something that doesn't come in slices, choose Portobello mushroom ravioli, jambalaya, or a grilled rosemary chicken sandwich. There are several locations in Los Angeles county.