I hate to make or support generalities, even though I’m from Los Angeles, I have to agree. At least this is true in Southern California. We tend to have more chains like Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Papa John’s, etc. And the few smattering of local Mom & Pop pizzarias, aren’t very good. Perhaps this is because not as many Italians settled on this side of the coast.

Although I had a pizza at Lombardi’s Pizza in New York, and I can’t say I enjoyed it very much. One day I’d like to try the stuff in New Haven.

My criteria is on the crust. Anyone can throw toppings on a pizza, but if you can’t make good crust, it’s not a good pizza. I prefer a crisp crust.

The best pizzas in California I’ve had are incidentally in the Bay area, two of them at cooperative bakeries. Arizmendi Bakery in San Francisco, Cheeseboard in Berkeley, and Chez Panisse Cafe in Berkeley. All these places only have one type of pizza each day. Always vegetarian.

Haven’t found anything I really like in LA. I can’t speak for Oregon or Washington.