I've had the readily available brews from the West Coast (Anchor, Rogue, SN..etc) I'm looking for something special or smaller. Think something like Weyerbacher vs Dogfish Head if that helps. Or just suggest something I haven't had.
ok. the biggest one that has already been mentioned is Deschutes. If you can get your hands on a bottle of something from their limited runs like Abyss or Dissident and you'll be happy.
Elysian Brewing Company makes a few really neat beers. Jasmine IPA, their pumpkin beer kicks some ass, and I seem to remember them having a few other things I enjoyed as well.
Russian River should be an obvious one. Pliny is good, but if you can get any of the sours I would go for it. Consecration is on shelves right now and is on everyone's top sour list ever, and it isn't a lie. Beatification is wonderful too. They make a lot of nice beer at their brewery, but they're not easy to get in other places.
Firestone Walker releases some nice stuff. Their real winner is the anniversary beer they put out every year. It is pricy, but a good bottle to try at least once.
The Bruery in Orange County is making some good Belgian Style beers. The White Orchard and their Berliner Weiss are both good.
I can speak best for my hometown, though.
Ballast Point makes a lot of amazing beer. Sculpin IPA, Sea Monster Stout, Victory at Sea Imperial Porter (lots of coffee and vanilla), Dorado IIPA (probably the best IIPA made in SD, and a close race with Pliny for being the best on the coast)
Green Flash has their West Coast IPA, IIPA, Double Stout (my personal favorite) and they make a few other styles and don't f up any of them.
Alesmith. My favorite brewery. They don't make a ton of styles, but what they do, they do perfectly. Favorites are Speedway Stout, Wee Heavy, Grand Cru, IPA, and their seasonal My Bloody Valentine/Evil Dead Red. I wouldn't pass up anything they do, and all the bigger bottles are good for long term aging, with the exception of the Horny Devil.
Alpine Beer Company is great. Make a range of IPAs, a great stout, and they actually put out a geuze that was really nice last year.
Pizza Port makes good beer. Of the stuff that Port Brewing bottles, I would try to find some Old Viscosity. Everything else is ok, but that one stands out. Especially good with 3+ years of age on it. I'm not a fan of the Lost Abbey part of this operation as much, but they have made a few pretty neat beers. I just don't like their regular line.
Oh, and Mission Brewing Company is worth looking out for as well. They're up and coming.
