Singer-songwriter and motivational speaker Andrew W.K. said it best: “Anyone who says that money cannot buy happiness has clearly never spent their money on pizza.”
True. And that spirit rises again as Bay Area Pizza Week returns to the North Bay, stretching across Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties (and a tiptoe over the Golden Gate Bridge) in a glorious carb corridor of bubbling cheese and beautifully charred crusts.
Below is our redux—a reheated and renewed appreciation of one of the region’s noblest civic observances. Because the first pass is rarely enough, and because pizza coverage, like pizza itself, improves with repetition.
From waterfront patios to neighborhood institutions, from old-school parlors to chef-driven dough laboratories, the North Bay is a veritable buffet of pizza perfection. Below, find a county-by-county roundup of participating spots, alphabetized for convenience and appetite.
Bay Area Pizza Week continues through Sunday, May 3. Download the app at the Apple App Store or via Google Play.
Marin County
Bar Bocce
Sausalito’s waterfront answer to the eternal question: What if pizza came with bocce courts and postcard views? Wood-fired pies, bayside lounging and sunlight as a side dish.
1250 Bridgeway, Sausalito. barbocce.com
Gaspare’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Bar
A San Rafael comfort-food veteran where booths, garlic and red sauce remain pillars of authority. Classic Italian-American energy and family friendly.
200 Merrydale Rd., San Rafael gasparespizzeria.com
Mulberry Street Pizzeria
East Coast spirit by way of San Rafael. Foldable slices meet neighborhood charm.
101 Smith Ranch Rd., Ste. C, San Rafael mulberrystreetpizzasanrafael.com
For those headed to the south side of the Golden Gate Bridge, consider visiting some of these highly recommended locations:
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
Founded by 13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani, this landmark draws inspiration from a traditional pizzeria in Naples, Italy.
570 Stockton St., San Francisco. tonyspizzanapoletana.com
Capo’s
Celebrating authentic Detroit and Chicago pizza with a focus on quality ingredients and tradition. 641 Vallejo St., San Francisco. sfcapos.com
Slice House
Another creation by Tony Gemignani offering an unparalleled pizza experience, blending artisan craftsmanship with fast-casual dining in several participating locations.
1535 Haight St., San Francisco
357 El Camino Real, Millbrae & 1000 El Camino Real C, Belmont.
357 El Camino Real, Millbrae.
2565 California St., Ste. 81, Mountain View. slicehouse.com
Giovanni Italian Specialties
SF’s own lauded restaurateur Tony Gemignani brings the signature ingredients of many of his popular dishes to San Francisco’s North Beach.
629 Union St., San Francisco. giovannispecialty.com
Toscano’s Italian Bakery
San Francisco’s celebrated Italian bakery located in North Beach, featuring naturally leavened sourdough breads and of course a brilliant pizza pie.
728 Vallejo St., San Francisco. toscanobrothers.com
Napa County
A16 Napa
The Napa outpost of the acclaimed Southern Italian restaurant, bringing polished Neapolitan pedigree to downtown. And a serious wine list too.
821 Coombs St., Napa. a16pizza.com
Mary’s Pizza Shack
A North Bay institution doing what institutions are meant to do: feed generations dependably. Pizza, pasta and consensus—everyone loves Mary’s.
3085 Jefferson St., Napa. maryspizzashack.com
The Fink
Known more for cocktails than crust, which makes its Pizza Week presence intriguing. Stylish downtown Napa stop for those who prefer nightlife with their mozzarella.
530 Main St., Napa. thefinknapa.com
Sonoma County
Ausiello’s Homeslice
Rincon Valley favorite known for hearty pies and local loyalty.
5755 Mountain Hawk Dr., Santa Rosa ausielloshomeslice.com
Brixx Pizzeria
Downtown Petaluma mainstay turning out brick-oven pies in the heart of the Lan Mart building. A dependable and delicious prelude or finale to any evening.
16 Kentucky St., Petaluma brixxpizzeria.com
Gabacool Provisions
A playful, East Coast-leaning operation where sandwich culture and pizza culture happily collide in a van—popping up throughout the county.
Follow on Instagram for location updates @gabacool_provisions.
Huria’s
A family-run, mobile wood-fired catering vendor, offering wood-fired pizza and Mediterranean influences.
1400 Hwy. 1, Bodega Bay. hurias.com
L’Oro di Napoli — Petaluma
Elegant Neapolitan specialist bringing Naples energy to downtown Petaluma. Serious crust, no gimmicks.
208 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma lorodinapoli.com
L’Oro di Napoli — Santa Rosa
One of Sonoma County’s most respected pizza names. Blistered pies, classic technique and deserved confidence.
629 4th St., Santa Rosa. lorodinapoli.com
Mama J’s Pizzeria
A favorite, family-owned and run pizzeria going on a quarter century in downtown Penngrove.
10101 Main St., Penngrove. eatatmamajs.com
Mary’s Pizza Shack — Boyes Hot Springs
The geothermal branch of the family empire, still delivering familiar comforts.
18636 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma maryspizzashack.com
Mary’s Pizza Shack — Petaluma
The practical answer—something for everyone.
423 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma maryspizzashack.com
Mary’s Pizza Shack — Rohnert Park
Suburban classic with proven pies.
101 Golf Course Dr., Rohnert Park maryspizzashack.com
Mary’s Pizza Shack — Sonoma Plaza
Right on the historic square—site of the Bear Flag Revolt.
8 W. Spain St., Sonoma maryspizzashack.com
Mary’s Pizza Shack — Windsor
Dependable refuge after games, errands or modern life in general.
9010 Brooks Rd., Windsor maryspizzashack.com
NY Pie Pizzeria
Santa Rosa’s New York-style standard bearer: foldable slices, straightforward attitude and enduring local loyalty.
65 Brookwood Ave., Santa Rosa nypie.pizza
PizzaLeah
Windsor’s acclaimed artisan favorite from Leah Scurto, a true pizza-lover’s paradise.
9240 Old Redwood Hwy., Ste. 116, Windsor pizzaleah.com
Slow Co. Pizza
Cotati entrant with a name that suggests proper fermentation, patience and values.
8197 La Plaza, Cotati slowcopizza.com
Sonoma Pizza Co.
Forestville’s elevated pie house, built around artisan dough, local ingredients and Wine Country composure.
6615 Front St., Forestville sonomapizzaco.com
Russian River Brewing Co.
Home of world famous brew Pliny the Younger and beloved local institution with downtown Santa Rosa and Windsor locations.
725 4th St., Santa Rosa and 700 Mitchell Ln., Windsor. russianriverbrewing.com
Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Authentic Italian dining with premium ingredients, artisanal craftsmanship and exceptional wine pairings. 53 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa. rossopizzeria.com
Slice Advice
Our recommendation: Play the board. Order one classic pie built on timeless principles and one that veers into modern culinary mischief (except, no pineapple, please). Compare crusts, debate sauce and rank cheese integrity. There are far worse ways to spend late spring than chasing excellent pizza one slice at a time. — Weeklys Staff
