Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Thursday, June 1. I’m Julia Carmel, a feature writer for The Times’ Lifestyle section who covers travel, local culture ...

Restaurants for months have said menu prices in California would rise as the state raised the minimum wage for fast-food workers. Now they are following through. Consumers picking up burgers ...

McDonald’s, a small restaurant started by two brothers in Riverside, California, became a worldwide icon because it has products people want – regardless of their wealth – at a price ...