Gastroenterologists specialise in the digestive system: stomach, intestines, liver and pancreas. Below are 50 gastroenterologists practising in California, across Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Orange and San Jose, with what to bring and ask so your visit counts.
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Listings come from the CMS NPPES NPI Registry, the public federal record of licensed providers, checked October 2026. Being listed is not a recommendation or an endorsement, and we do not receive anything from these doctors. Call the office to confirm insurance, availability and that they are accepting new patients. In an emergency, call 911.
When to see a gastroenterologist
Common reasons
Heartburn and reflux
IBS, bloating and changes in bowel habits
Abdominal pain
Colon cancer screening
Liver concerns
Signs it may be time
Digestive symptoms keep coming back
You are due for colon cancer screening
Your primary care doctor referred you
You notice blood in your stool or unexplained weight loss (book promptly)
How to get the most from your gastroenterologist visit
1
Before: what to bring
A list of everything you take, including supplements, with how often
Your insurance card and photo ID
Recent lab results or imaging reports, if another clinician ordered them
A food and symptom diary from the last two to four weeks
2
During: questions to ask
What could be causing my symptoms?
Do I need a scope or other tests, and how do I prepare?
Which foods or habits should I track?
Which symptoms mean I should call sooner?
3
After: what to keep track of
What you ate and when symptoms started
Bowel changes, bloating and pain, in your own words
Stress and sleep, which often move with gut symptoms
After your visit
Keep the plan going between appointments
Digestive problems are about patterns: which meals, which days, how long. A symptom diary kept for a few weeks is often the single most useful thing you can bring back to your gastroenterologist. Emerge Care, free to download on iPhone, is built for exactly that: tell it how you feel in your own words, get plain answers with the source behind every fact, and walk into your next gastroenterologist appointment in California with a one-page summary and your questions ready.
Log symptoms and side effects by talking
Answers that name their source
One-page visit summary PDF
Health records stay on your iPhone
Emerge Care never diagnoses or replaces your doctor.
Questions
How do I find a gastroenterologist in California?
This page lists 50 gastroenterologists practising in California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Orange and San Jose, from the federal NPI Registry. Call the office to confirm they take your insurance and are accepting new patients.
Do I need a referral to see a gastroenterologist in California?
It depends on your insurance plan, not the state. HMO plans usually need a referral from your primary care doctor; many PPO plans do not. Check with your plan before booking.
What should I bring to my first gastroenterologist appointment?
A list of everything you take, including supplements, with how often; Your insurance card and photo ID; Recent lab results or imaging reports, if another clinician ordered them; A food and symptom diary from the last two to four weeks.
When should I start colon cancer screening?
US guidelines generally recommend starting at 45 for people at average risk, earlier with a family history. Ask your doctor what fits you.
Should I keep a food diary before my appointment?
Yes, if you can. Two to four weeks of meals and symptoms helps your doctor see patterns quickly.
