Some of the best carne asada in California is served by people who fully expect you to walk in with sand on your ankles and a towel over your shoulder. This list covers eight casual taco counters, from Ocean Beach in San Diego up to Morro Bay, that sit close enough to the water to fit neatly between a swim and a sunset.
Each one earns its spot with something specific, like a wild salsa lineup, a breakfast burrito worth an early alarm, or a patio view of Morro Rock. Save it for your next coast drive, send it to the friend who always asks where to eat after the beach, and plan on ordering at least one extra taco.
1. Mike’s Taco Club, San Diego, CA
Ocean Beach has never been a buttoned-up neighborhood, and the taco shop that anchors its main drag fits right in. Mike’s Taco Club sits on Newport Avenue, just steps from the sand, with a small front patio and a handful of indoor seats.
Carne asada fans should zero in on the carne asada fries and the Cali Burrito, which stuffs grilled steak and fries into one hefty tortilla. The Trifecta Taco, Spicy Shrimp Taco, and both battered and grilled fish tacos round out a menu built for beach appetites…