13 Must-Visit Taco Places Across California For True Taco Lovers

Tacos aren’t just food; they’re a way of life for many Americans who chase the perfect combination of tortilla, meat, and toppings. From street carts to Michelin-recognized restaurants, the humble taco has evolved into countless regional variations across the country.

Ready your appetite as we explore the absolute best taco spots that every serious taco enthusiast needs to visit.

1. Guisados – Los Angeles

Family recipes shine through in every bite at this LA staple. Their famous taco sampler lets you experience multiple slow-braised meats on thick, handmade corn tortillas all at once.

The mole poblano and chicharrón tacos offer complex flavors that keep locals coming back year after year.

2. Sonoratown – Downtown Los Angeles

Flour tortillas here are life-changing miracles of simplicity. Made fresh daily with flour imported from Sonora, Mexico, they cradle perfectly mesquite-grilled carne asada.

The small storefront often has lines around the block, but patient taco hunters are rewarded with authentic northern Mexican flavors.

3. Mariscos Jalisco – Boyle Heights

One taco changed everything for this humble truck: the tacos dorados de camarón. Crispy fried shells packed with seasoned shrimp, topped with fresh avocado and spicy salsa roja.

Starting as a simple food truck, they’ve become legendary in LA’s taco scene for their seafood specialties.

4. Tacos El Gordo – Chula Vista

Tijuana-style taco paradise with a unique ordering system; separate lines for each meat type! Their adobada (marinated pork) is sliced directly from a spinning trompo.

Hand-pressed tortillas cradle perfectly seasoned meats topped with simple garnishes that let quality ingredients speak for themselves.

5. La Taqueria – San Francisco Mission District

Champions of the rice-free burrito also make extraordinary tacos. Their signature move? Double-wrapping soft corn tortillas around succulent carnitas or carne asada.

This James Beard Award winner keeps it simple – just perfectly cooked meat, onions, cilantro and their famous salsas.

6. El Farolito – San Francisco

Night owls rejoice! Open until 2:30 AM, this Mission District institution saves countless hungry revelers with outstanding al pastor tacos.

The sizzling plancha never stops as cooks rapidly assemble tacos topped with their fiery orange salsa that locals crave after dark.

7. Taco María – Costa Mesa

Chef Carlos Salgado elevates Mexican cuisine to fine dining without losing its soul. His blue corn tortillas, made daily from heirloom corn; support thoughtfully composed tacos with seasonal ingredients.

The shiitake mushroom chorizo taco demonstrates how innovation and tradition can beautifully coexist on one plate.

8. Carnitas El Momo – Los Angeles

Copper cauldrons are the secret behind these life-changing carnitas. Romulo Acosta’s family recipe simmers pork for hours until it develops multiple textures; from crispy to meltingly tender.

Each taco features a generous pile of meat on doubled corn tortillas, needing only minimal garnish.

9. Tacos Sinaloa – Oakland

Two identical trucks, one unforgettable seafood taco experience. The crisp batter on their fish tacos shatters perfectly with each bite, revealing flaky white fish inside.

A squeeze of lime and their homemade cream sauce completes these masterpieces that bring Sinaloan coastal flavors to the Bay Area.

10. El Chato Taco Truck – Los Angeles

After midnight, this unassuming truck transforms a gas station parking lot into taco heaven. Their al pastor spins hypnotically on the trompo, caramelizing under flame before being sliced onto tortillas.

The sweet pineapple chunk topper creates perfect balance with the spiced pork.

11. Tacos El Venado – Los Angeles

Birria specialists who’ve mastered the art of rich, consommé-dipped tortillas. Their quesabirria tacos ooze with melted cheese and tender beef that’s been stewed for hours in complex chile-spiked broth.

Each taco comes with a cup of consommé for dipping, creating an intensely satisfying experience.

12. Tacos El Patron – San Francisco

The Bay Area’s birria revolution started here. Red-stained tortillas filled with juicy beef birria and melted cheese create an Instagram-worthy cheese pull with every bite.

These quesabirria tacos generate daily lines of patient fans waiting for that perfect combination of crispy exterior and succulent meat.

13. Tacos El Tule – Sacramento

Sacramento’s taco scene shines at this family-run gem. Their suadero (beef brisket) tacos feature meat that’s been slowly cooked until impossibly tender, then crisped on the flat-top.

Three generations work together to create flavor-packed tacos that locals consider Sacramento’s best-kept secret.