Cielito Lindo : EAT

E-23 Olvera St., Los Angeles 90012

Insider tip: call ahead for take-out, or come early to avoid the line. The red sauce is SPICY… and seating is sparse, so don’t expect to dine-in during busy times. 

Crispy fresh-fried taquitos in one of Los Angeles’ historical gems - Olvera Street. 

Cielito Lindo serves enchiladas and chile rellenos, but are known for the crunchy taquitos, smothered in a vibrant green avocado sauce. 

Mariscos Jaliscos : EAT

3040 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles 90023

Must Order: Tacos de Camerones - shrimp and potato stuffed into a flour tortilla and then deep fried for a perfectly crisp and crunchy taco topped with cool, tangy salsa and creamy avocado slices. 

The way Mariscos Jaliscos fries the entire taco keeps it perfectly crisp and delicious - every bite is crunchy, despite being drowned in a watery fresh salsa.

The shrimp and potatoes get soft and have a great bite to them, and the creamy avocado cuts through the fried taco taste to come together for a perfect mix of textures!

Sonoratown : EAT

208 E 8th St, Los Angeles 90014

Must Order: Steak Caramelos - large flour tortillas (similar to a burrito), with loads of grilled meat and cheese inside.

Caramelos are topped with grilled green onions. 

Agua Fresca: light, fresh flavors that aren’t very sweet for a refreshing drink that isn’t overpowering.

Mari LA : EAT

2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Mari isn’t explicitly a taco spot - but it is a hidden gem in Century City (right next door to the Fox Studios lot). 

Must Order: Angeleno Tacos - Coffee Crusted Skirt Steak, Mango-Habanero Salsa, Avocado Crema

Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City : Stay

2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067

The Intercontinental is an easy option to get all over Los Angeles with very affordable rates for large rooms, and a fabulous team!

Must order: the pastry staff at the Intercontinental makes to die for delicious (and stunningly beautiful) desserts like the cute taco themed cake attached. Be sure to order something special for yourself there - like a Beverly Hills shopping themed cupcake tray!

Titos Tacos : EAT

11222 Washington Place, Culver City, CA 90230

Must Order: beef tacos with cheese, bean cheese and meat burritos. LOTS of salsa. 

Basic crunchy tacos with addictive salsa and cheesy bean and beef burritos cooked in a rich red sauce. 

Expect tons of shredded iceburg lettuce, fresh shredded cheddar cheese, and crisp fresh fried taco shells. 

Insider tip: call in your order ahead, or get there early to skip the line. All orders come with chips and salsa, but it is worth buying more for the road! The salsa is even better after spending a night in the fridge. 

Head for the picnic benches out front, and get extra salsa for the road! 

Lola's Mexican Fare : EAT

2030 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

Lola's is a fun, delicious cafe full of hearty, fresh, and delicious Mexican Food Favorites. Grab a table outside, order plenty of margaritas, and take in the bustling 4h street vibes!

Must Order: 

-Tijuana style tacos with garlicky beans

-Tacos Jaliscos- soft corn tortilla dipped in enchilada sauce.  Came with three, chicken, carnitas and beef adovado. 

222 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802

Made from scratch ice cream with a fun local flair… generous samples given!

Aquarium of the Pacific : DO

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

Visit one of California's leading aquariums with tons of exhibits, lots of hands on displays, and a great oceanfront location!

Open Sesame : EAT

5215 E 2nd St Long Beach, CA 90803

Open Sesame is not a Mexican food restaurant - and doesn't actually serve tacos, but it is a great way to branch out for some fresh and delicious Lebanese food in Long Beach!

Must Order: Make your own Middle Eastern inspired take on a "taco" - and order the beef and lamb kafta for a pitta filled with flavor you won't soon forget!

Gondola Getaway : DO

Enjoy the canals around Naples Island in Long Beach with a private gondola ride.

The ride is incredibly romantic - they often cater to proposals - and is relaxing, quiet, and so fun!

Cuddle up under a blanket in the winter (blankets are provided), bring snacks and wine, and let the lights and soft sounds of the water wash you away!

Taco Maria : EAT

3313 Hyland Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA

Taco Maria is the decidedly "fancy" spot on our taco tour - with one Michelin star for the upmarket taco spot in Orange County's Mix shopping center.

All tacos start with a thick, soft, blue corn tortilla base, and are impeccably topped with fresh California focused ingredients.

Must Order: 

Aguachile with scallops - light, spicy, and the perfect appetizer. 

Tocino tacos -  pork cheek, piloncillo glaze, pear, salsa verde

Black cod  tacos - charred scallion aioli, cabbage, grape

Chicken mole (mole de pollo) - Jidori chicken, ancho-almond mole, queso fresco, onion pickle.

Vegetarian -- mushroom chorizo, potato, queso fundido- shiitake mushroom chorizo, crispy potato, queso fundido

Aarratcha -- hanger steak, roasted chiles, applewood bacon, queso fundido. 

Silver Trumpet : EAT

3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Silver Trumpet is The Avenue of the Arts hotel's gorgeous bar and restaurant with an awesome happy hour full of delicious bites like short rib tacos and beautiful handcrafted cocktails.

Must order: Happy hour short rib tacos.

Avenue of the Arts Hotel : Stay

3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

The Avenue of the Arts hotel in Costa Mesa is the perfect base for touring Orange County - it is close to the Santa Ana airport, an easy drive to Newport and Orange County, and easy to get to Disneyland.

The decor is crisp, clean, and art focused - it is the perfect place to stay when in Orange County to take in gorgeous art.

Playa Mesa : EAT

428 E 17th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Playa Mesa is a fun, vibrant spot in Costa Mesa - perfect for fresh and delicious Mexican fare favorites full of flavor for a great night out!

Playa Mesa's cocktails are to die for, and the food is packed with authentic Mexican flavor you will think about long after you go - bring friends, because portions are generous and you'll want to try everything!

Must Order: 

Gobernator shrimp taco

Birria -- tender braised short rib (don’t forget to dip in the birra sauce served on the side!) 

Crispy Fish Taco - soft corn tortilla loaded with crispy fried fish

Carne Asada

Grilled Shrimp

Achiote marinated Salmon with roast veggies and salsa veracruz. 

Paletas de agua fresca for dessert - made with a little gelatin so they take a while longer to melt for a delicious take on a light, refreshing dessert.

Taco Mesa: EAT

647 W 19th Street, Costa Mesa, CA

While other Taco Mesa locations around Orange County have larger restaurants, the Costa Mesa location offers more grab and go traffic for killer tacos and the best Mexican food breakfast around in a fast casual walkup setting with limited table and counter space.

Must Order: 

Chilaquiles con pollo.  Chips stayed crispy the ENTIRE MEAL - even when doused in salsa and crema! 

Asada con Huevos, served with chilaquiles and scrambled eggs. 

Mexican coffee. 

Local Tap House: EAT

308 S Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054

Local Tap House in Oceanside is serving up fresh California focused takes on pub classics - with out of this world calamari tacos.

Must order: 

Tuna crudo ceviche -- delicious and refreshing with fun twist of taro root chips

Crispy Calamari and bacon street tacos. -- an appetizer that is large enough for a full meal!  The calamari was tender and went GREAT with the bacon.

Shrimp and Chorizo egg rolls. -- great mashup with favorite foods in a crispy wonton wrapper.

Lucha Libre Taco Shop : EAT

3016 University Ave., San Diego, CA

Lucha Libre is a luchadore themed taco spot with locations around San Diego in a bright and funky setting packed with wrestling masks, memorabilia, and a fresh salsa bar with fast casual tacos and burritos full of daring flavor.

Must Order: 

Queso Taco with steak - a soft corn tortilla with a crispy cheddar frico and a generous portion of grilled steak, chipotle sauce, and queso enchilada piled on top. 

Undefeated seafood taco with shrimp - topped with cabbage, cheese, and pico sauce.

1047 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Octopus Tacos - octopus was grilled a la plancha, then sliced thin for perfect bites of chewy but not too tough octopus. 

Queso fundido - melted cheese with a spicy chorizo that had a little nutmeg. 

Hotel Palomar : Stay

The Kimpton Hotel Palomar is the perfect place to stay in San Diego - with a location steps from the Gaslamp District, Battleship Memorial, and more!

With a fabulous rooftop pool and bar, the delicious Curadero restaurant downstairs, and views that stretch across San Diego, we loved staying at the Palomar.

Puesto : EAT

789 W Harbor Dr Suite 155, San Diego, CA 92101

Great vibe at the Headquarters shopping center in downtown SD near the battleship museum.  Large restaurant with a lot of tables and fast service. 

Must Order: 

Esquites -- grilled street corn with cotija, spices and crema. 

Lobster - garlic butter grilled lobster, black beans, crispy onions, avocado, crema de cilantro, jalapeño pico

Carnitas

Taco of the day - slow braised beef adovado

Verduras- Crispy melted cheese, rajas, tatume squash, papas, corn & tomato, nopales, avocado, jalapeño, zucchini blossom.

Shrimp a la plancha - Shrimp a la plancha, guajillo chile peanut adobo sauce, fresh kumquat & charred habanero purée, crispy leeks, avocado.