California Tacos and Mexican Food

California's Mexican food, rooted in deep cross-border history and a huge Mexican American community, is among the best eating in the country: soft street tacos of carne asada or al pastor from a taco truck, the fat foil-wrapped Mission burrito of San Francisco, fish tacos from the coast and fresh salsas and guacamole. Vibrant, cheap and everywhere.

What you'll find

• Street tacos - soft corn tortillas with grilled meat, onion and cilantro from taco trucks.
• The Mission burrito - the large, rice-filled foil-wrapped burrito of San Francisco.
• Fish tacos - the battered or grilled fish tacos of the coast.
• Taquerias and trucks - the taco trucks and family taquerias where it is best.

When to go

Year-round; taco trucks and taquerias serve all day and late, and it is everyday food. The best is often from a truck or a modest family taqueria rather than a fancy restaurant.

What to expect

The best is usually the humblest, a taco truck or a hole-in-the-wall, rather than a smart restaurant. Cal-Mex and Tex-Mex differ from and are looser than the regional cuisines of Mexico itself. Salsa heat is real, so ask if unsure.

Nearby

Los Angeles, San Diego and the whole state are full of it; the border region and San Francisco's Mission district are heartlands.