The 5 Strains Californians Can’t Get Enough Of (and Why You’ll Love Them Too)

Nugg Club Team

The information is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve readers of their obligation to obtain qualified medical, legal or other professional advice.

What you will learn in this post:
(Click any of the section titles below to jump right to it)

top strains in california

The Golden State is often ahead of the pack when it comes to the green. 

Think about the culture, the vibe and most of all, the terroir–or the ecosystem essential to high-quality cannabis cultivation: The Emerald Triangle. 

Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties make up the American pot mecca. The regional triumvirate rich in nature and short on people is the source for top-shelf pot, including connoisseur and celebrity brands. Netflix even had some short-lived series-themed strains available in the area, despite their docuseries Murder Mountain painting the region in a less-than-warm light. 

California is the birthplace of some of the world’s most beloved strains, and the home of cannabis brands and tastemakers that are shaping the industry’s future. With that, here are five of the top strains Californian’s can’t get enough of (and why you’ll love them, too).

5 strains California can't get enough of


The Golden State of Weed: California’s Most Popular Hybrid, Sativa, and Indica Strains

Picking the top strains in California is no simple task. The state is rich in choices, making it nearly sure that there's an ideal strain for everyone. With a plethora to choose from, the following five's overall plant profiles and enjoyable effects sealed the deal for the experts and curation specialists at Nugg Club. 

Scroll down to learn about some of the best California weed on the market today.


1. Gushers (Hybrid). A fruity blast of calm creativity.

The Plug Gushers hybrid strain
The Plug - Gushers Flower | Nugg Club

Gushers were a snacking game-changer when they first hit the scene in the early 90s. The sweet, fruity, sugary snacks remain a popular choice today, including for many stoned adults seeking to satisfy their munchies. 

That said, it’s no surprise that The Plug’s Gushers is such a beloved strain. A stellar name backed by a superb plant profile, Gushers lives up to its flavorful namesake by crossing Gelato #41 and Triangle Kush. Like a hybrid should, the cross of Gelato #41’s heavy body high and Triangle Kush’s relaxing indica often give consumers a substantial dose of mental euphoria and a surge of creativity while leaving their body calm. 

Like the candy, the Gushers strain packs a punch. In this case, it’s in the form of 20-28% THC content (and it’s bursting with other prominent cannabinoids like CBC, CBG and THCV). 


Genetics: Gelato #41 (Cookies strain with a heavy hitting body high) x Triangle Kush (relaxing, creative indica)

Flavors: sweet, fruity

THC content: typically ranges from 20-28%

Effects: creative mental euphoria pairs with deep body relaxation to soothe and uplift

Typical uses: stress, anxiety, creative inspiration

Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBC, CBG, THCV

Prominent terpenes: Phellandrene, Limonene, Valencene


Find Gushers on Nugg Club

2. Fatso (Hybrid). Happy, sleepy, and hard-hitting.

Smarty Plants Fatso hybrid
Smarty Plants - Fatso Flower | Nugg Club

Don't get it twisted from the name: Fatso isn't intended to induce hunger like other popular cultivars. Instead, this fine creation from Colorado cultivator Cannarado is often associated with sedative sleep-inducing effects. The GMO Cookies and Legend OG cross is known to improve moods while easing into sleep. 

A substantial plant profile brings heavy sleep and euphoria, thanks in part to a THC potency that often ranges between 20-33% and the inclusion of other prominent minor cannabinoids like CBD, CBC, CBG and THCV. As such, this woodsy-meets-diesel-gas strain might be best suited for evening consumption. Otherwise, you risk happily dozing off in the middle of your to-do list. 


Genetics: GMO Cookies (iconic cross of Girl Scout Cookies & Chemdawg) x Legends OG (sleepy & elevating indica born from OG Kush)

Flavors: earth, woody, diesel, coffee

THC content: typically in the low 20s, can reach over 33% THC

Effects: strong, happy and sleepy relaxation at the end of the day

Typical uses: muscle cramps, stress

Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBD, CBC, CBG, THCV

Prominent terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Linalool

Find Fatso on Nugg Club

3. Apple Fritter (Hybrid). Sweet flavor & a balanced, cheerful high.

Endos Apple Fritter hybrid
ENDOS - Apple Fritter (5 Pack) Prerolls | Nugg Club

Apple Fritter the cannabis strain gets its name for being just like its namesake: It's good any time of the day.

Created by Lumpy's Flowers, Apple Fritter came to life via a Sour Apple and Animal Cookies cross. The result is a calming, cheerful experience that many use to address their anxiety and body pains. Once again, like the pastry it's named after, this pot strain is rich in sweet aromas, including apple and vanilla.

With a delightful flavor profile and a THC potency hovering in the upper-20% area, connoisseurs should enjoy this delectable plant that’s also rich in CBC and THCV. 


Genetics: Sour Apple (relaxing, flavorful indica) x Animal Cookies (award-winning Girl Scout Cookies cross)

Flavors: sweet, vanilla, earthy

THC content: often available in the mid to high 20s, this strain is accessible for connoisseurs and new consumers alike

Effects: cheerful, calming, balanced

Typical uses: chronic pain, anxiety

Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBC, THCV

Prominent terpenes: Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Myrcene

Find Apple Fritter on Nugg Club

4. Wedding Crashers (Sativa). A motivating social lubricant.

Nirvana Wedding Crashers sativa
Nirvana - Wedding Crashers Flower | Nugg Club

The famous movie that came out 16 years ago is still fresh in the minds of many comedy fans. We don't know if it played a role in this Symbiotic Genetics creation, but what we do know is that it has the cannabis community raving in California and beyond.

Crossing Wedding Cake with Purple Punch, Wedding Crashers offers consumers a motivating social lubricant so you can get more jovial at weddings (or pretty much any other gathering you plan on attending). In addition to a grape-diesel taste and aroma, Wedding Crashers is known to provide relief for sleep, stomachs and more via a roughly 21% THC potency.


Genetics: Wedding Cake (aka Pink Cookies) x Purple Punch (fruity sedating indica)

Flavors: sweet, spicy, and skunky with hints of grape, vanilla, diesel, and earth

THC content: average around 21% 

Effects: motivated, talkative

Typical uses: nausea, fatigue

Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBG

Prominent terpenes: Beta-Caryophyllene, Limonene, and a-Humulene

Find Wedding Crashers on Nugg Club

5. Grape Cake (Indica). An energizing cerebral high that eases into mellow full-body relaxation.

Creme Genetics Grape Cake indica
Creme Genetics - Grape Cake Flower | Nugg Club

Grape Cake is an indica-dominant cross between three heavy hitters: Grape Stomper, Cherry Pie and Wedding Cake. Rich in cherry and diesel, Grape Cake's plant profile also includes CBG to provide consumers with fast-acting effects that have been known to ease stress and body tension. 

Bred by Seed Junky, this popular strain is often considered the perfect spicy, sweet treat that doesn’t take long to please. Consumers report that an energizing head buzz sets in fast, mellowing out as the effects spread across the body–making it the ideal companion for board games, movie marathons or brainstorming sessions. Just be prepared for when it hits–Grape Cake typically boasts a THC potency hovering around 30%. 


Genetics: Grape Stomper (aka Sour Grapes) x Cherry Pie (Granddaddy Purple cross) x Wedding Cake (aka Pink Cookies)

Flavors: berry, diesel

THC content: potent strain averaging nearly 30% 

Effects: cerebral, mellowing, relaxing

Typical uses: pain, stress, appetite

Prominent minor cannabinoids: CBG

Prominent terpenes: Beta-Myrcene, Limonene, and Linalool

Find Grape Cake on Nugg Club

Find These Strains in an Extract or Vape Pen

We know that flower isn't everyone's jam these days. We hear you loud and clear, and so do some of the best cultivators and producers in California. Today, most of the top strains in California can be enjoyed via an array of consumption methods. 

One of the more popular methods is vaping—especially products made by manufacturing processes that retain the plant's original profile. Live resin is one of the most popular extracts to vape. So too are age cured rosin and full spectrum sugar. Each serves a purpose depending on your vaping preferences and the equipment you’re using.

Nugg Club Team

The Nugg Club team works day-in and day-out discovering the best cannabis that California has to offer.

Explore the world of cannabis

$225+ VALUE FOR $99

Get the Box