Afternoon Tea in California
14 verified afternoon tea venues across 10 cities in California ($$–$$$$): Beverly Hills, Escondido, Lincoln, Pasadena, San Diego, San Francisco and more. The full ritual: a pot of loose-leaf tea with tiered trays of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and pastries. Most rooms serve it in fixed seatings and recommend reservations — check each listing's hours and booking link.
14 tea rooms
Afternoon Tea at The Westgate Hotel
$$$Downtown San Diego · San Diego
Afternoon tea in the Westgate Hotel's Versailles-inspired Grand Lobby, accompanied by live harp music. Service runs Wednesday through Sunday at $55 for adults and $35 for children, plus tax and gratuity.
Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant
$$$Downtown Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara
A Danish bakery and restaurant on State Street serving high tea daily after 2:00 PM on festive tiered stands, by phone reservation. A High Tea To-Go kit for two is also offered, and gluten-free high tea is available on request.
Chado Tea Room
$$Pasadena
Chado Tea Room curates over 150 teas and blends from around the world and serves afternoon tea at its Pasadena location. The company also operates tea rooms in Downtown LA, Hollywood, and Torrance.
Lovejoy's Tea Room
$$Noe Valley · San Francisco
A cozy, quirky Noe Valley tea room filled with mismatched china and furniture, handmade tea cozies, and collectibles. Service features warm scones, tea sandwiches, and a bottomless pot of tea, with last seating at 3:00 PM.
Muir's Tea Room & Cafe
$$$Sebastopol
A Sonoma County tea room housed in a lavishly restored historic Queen Anne Victorian, inspired by conservationist John Muir, with whimsical decor and a cottage garden. The menu is entirely plant-based, built on organic ingredients with fresh-baked scones and desserts, and gluten-free options are available.
Rose Garden Tea Room at The Huntington
$$$San Marino
Afternoon tea overlooking the historic rose garden at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Same-day admission to The Huntington is required, and reservations open up to three months in advance via OpenTable; vegan and gluten-free menus are available.
Rose Tree Cottage
Pasadena
An English village shop and tea room serving Traditional English Afternoon Tea, with seatings Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Reservations are required and taken by telephone only, and smart attire is requested.
Sotherton Tea Room
$$$Lincoln
A traditional English afternoon tea room in the Sacramento metro with Victorian-era decor, luxurious furnishings, ornate wallpaper, and crystal chandeliers. Tea seatings run Thursday through Sunday at 12:00 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4:00 PM, with weekend brunch tea at 10:00 AM.
The Britannia Tearooms
$$$Midway District · San Diego
A family-owned British tearoom from the owners of Shakespeare's Corner Shoppe, established in 2001, offering an authentic British escape with themed rooms including a Sherlock Holmes Sitting Room and Mad Hatters Tearoom. Traditional afternoon tea is served alongside themed tea experiences and event hosting.
The Grand Tea Room
Downtown Escondido · Escondido
A full-service tea room and gift shop established in 2011 in Escondido's historic Grand Avenue downtown district. Last full tea seating is at 2:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday.
The Langham Afternoon Tea (The Lobby Lounge)
$$$$Pasadena
Afternoon tea at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is inspired by the original tea service first served at The Langham, London in 1865. Served in The Lobby Lounge with delicate pastries, savory bites, and teas curated from around the globe; gluten-free and vegan menus are available.
The Living Room at The Peninsula Beverly Hills
$$$$Beverly Hills
The Peninsula Beverly Hills serves its signature afternoon tea in The Living Room, with seatings Wednesday and Thursday at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM and Friday through Sunday at 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 4:00 PM. The service features a tower of sweet and savory delights with a curated tea list.
The Tea House on Los Rios
$$$Los Rios Historic District · San Juan Capistrano
A historic cottage tea house in San Juan Capistrano's Los Rios district specializing in loose-leaf tea service, with indoor dining and outdoor porch seating. High tea, weekend brunch, and private events are offered, with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan accommodations.
The Tea Nook
Lincoln
A Victorian-style tearoom in the Sacramento metro serving traditional high teas on fine china, with lace tablecloths and fresh flowers on every table. Open Thursday through Sunday by reservation only, for groups of up to 13 guests.
Other styles in California