Located in California’s Pajaro Valley, Watsonville is a popular town on the Central Coast between Santa Cruz and Monterey. Pizza is no stranger in Watsonville, and its roots trace back to 1975. This was recorded as the year the first pizza restaurant opened its doors to customers here. Watsonville, a city famous for its sandy beaches and amusement parks, has a strong affinity for street foods. Given this and a very young median of about 30, it’s no surprise how much the residents enjoy pizza.

Although most of the pizzerias in Watsonville are old-fashioned in appearance, there is nothing wrong with the quality of pizza they churn out every day. That said, the city’s weather and numerous recreational activities make pizza a top choice all year round. Locals often opt for pizza to take to the beach or have it delivered after a busy day enjoying the outdoors.

Watsonville is Known for California-style Pizza

In Watsonville, there is no debate that California-style is residents’ favorite. However, the town enjoys classic New York-style pizza almost as much. Other common variants in the city include Chicago deep-dish and gluten-free pizza.

California-style pizza is a pizza type that combines elements of New York-style pizza and Neapolitan pizza. California pizza shares a similar crust with the New York-style pie, but it takes a unique turn with the California ingredients used in its preparation. The sauce is generally used sparingly, and the main way to differentiate a California-style pizza is in the toppings. Expect to see things like peanut sauce, lots of varieties of chicken, goat cheese, artichoke hearts, and seafood. Depending on your preference, you can get them with or without traditional mozzarella. From its crisp crust to the tangy tomato sauce, it is really no surprise that Watsonville loves California pizza.

Best Pizza Delivery in Watsonville

Pizza delivery is an art that needs perfect execution for maximum appreciation. Many pizza restaurants offer delivery service in Watsonville, but only a few come close to Straw Hat Pizza with how they handle the process. Why drive miles to have a taste of their genuine California pizza when you can place an order and have the food brought right to you? Once you make your pizza request, their customer-friendly staff get to preparing your meal. The value is great here, especially for large families and groups.

Pizza making is where Straw Hat thrives. Their Garlicky Chicken California-style pizza is not to be missed; neither is the California Veggie Pizza. Aside from pizza, Straw Hat offers appetizers, pasta, and salads. They have excellent chicken wings and cauliflower wings for the vegetarians in your crowd. Your delivery meal isn’t complete without dessert. The Pizza Brownie is the ideal shareable option.

Best Pizza Takeout in Watsonville

In Watsonville, Piara Pizza is the best place in town for takeout pizza. The process is seamless, and the orders are prepared quickly with fresh ingredients. When you drop by, you’ll be greeted pleasantly. They do thin crust, stuffed crust, deep-dish, and personal pan for takeout pizza. The Giant Deep Dish Supreme Pizza is for you if you have a big family. It’s enormous and topped with olives, three different kinds of meat, mushrooms, green peppers, and onions. The Stuffed Crust Veggie pizza is another excellent choice, with tons of vegetables and a crust stuffed with mozzarella cheese.

To round out your takeout meal at Piara Pizza, add some wings as an appetizer, and don’t forget a dipping sauce for your crust. They have a ranch, marinara, and garlic sauce to tempt you. The Garlic Cheesy Bread is worth adding as well; kids love it!

Best Pizza Near Watsonville

Aptos

The old-fashioned town of Aptos loves pizza just as any city in Santa Cruz County. The sandy seaside beaches of Aptos make the perfect environment to enjoy a good slice of pizza. In this small town, Pizza 1 serves the tastiest pies and sausages. Every dish is made with care, and you can see the fresh ingredients they use. The aromas are enticing, and the service won’t disappoint. They specialize in a San Francisco sourdough crust that you can get either thin or thick.

Capitola

Capitola is a popular tourist town on the West Coast. For a city known to have the oldest beach resort in the area, Capitola is not short of trendy stores and restaurants on the shore. These restaurants connect a fishing wharf to its large, sandy beach. East West Pizza Co. provides some of the best pies that Capitola offers. The menu features pizza with an Indian-inspired twist, like Chili Paneer Pizza and Indian Chicken Tandoori Pizza.

Gilroy

Gilroy is the San Franciso Bay’s most southern city, and its restaurants and outdoor recreational centers exude a charming feel that will give anyone enough reason to stay. Straw Hat Pizza is an ideal choice for pizza in Gilroy. From their pizza to their hot hat sandwiches, every one of the items on their menu tastes great. The pizza is made from handmade dough with fresh local ingredients, freshly served from a wood-fired oven.