The Pac-Man and Lumpia burritos at Sayulita’s take the California burrito formula and incorporate in Filipino ingredients. The former loads tocino and chipotle sauce to the mix while the latter places the crispy fried rolls inside with the usual carne asada, fries, cheese, crema, and guacamole. The classic Cali is also worth a taste.

This Convoy area drive-thru has one of the best California burritos north of the 8. Pull in for a classic Cali, with carne asada, fries cheese, and pico de gallo inside. With window service until 2 a.m., this is also one of the most accessible late-night eats in the area. South Bay residents need not make the long trek, as Super Sergios also has a location on Sweetwater Road in National City.

A favorite of many Pacific Beach residents, you can find huge nachos and tasty burritos at this taco shop. Rigoberto’s California burrito is the perfect meal following a day at the beach or right before hitting the neighborhood’s rowdy bars. Featuring a drive-thru, weekend service runs through 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday to help you ease those late night munchies. The Southeast location on Federal Boulevard operates its drive-thru around the clock. 

A Morena Avenue institution, this taco shop keeps the area’s workforce and visitors well fed with its always dependable recipes. As one of the heftier entries on this lineup, JV’s is generous with the literal meat and potatoes inside its California Burrito while dispensing a good amount of guacamole and sour cream.

A California burrito made with juicy steak, thick fries and a chipotle crema quickly became the original Mission Hills location’s calling cards in the brand’s early days. The California burrito along with a slew of spin off variations, including birria, al pastor, “surfing” shrimp, and alambres still bring in customers, with crowds flocking to both the flagship and North Park locations.

The constant flow of faithful regulars and regulars for lunch and dinner are a testament to this 25th Street institution’s quality and consistency. Humberto’s Taco Shop offers one of San Diego’s finest California burritos, loading in the right ratio of fries, seasoned carne asada, and pico de gallo onto a flour tortilla. If you are east of the Golden Hill area, Humberto’s runs a sister location on 47th Street near the 805 exit.

Pokez offers some of downtown San Diego’s best taco shop fare, along with vegetarian and vegan versions of burritos, roll tacos tacos, and more. The menu holds a solid California burrito for omnivores, with carne asada, fries, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream, as well as vegan variants that swap out the traditional cuts of beef for crispy tofu or Beyond Beef.

Tucked between downtown, Golden Hill, and Sherman Heights, Adalberto’s has one of the finest California burritos in the heart of the city. Its version wraps carne asada, fries, cheese, and fresh pico de gallo into a tortilla but leaves off the guacamole and sour cream.

San Diego’s original taco shop is often credited with creating the California burrito and spawning the ubiquitous “-Berto’s” Mexican food genre. It’s only natural that Robertos does it right at its several locations around town, made with carne asada, French fries, chopped salsa, and cheddar cheese just like when the recipe was rolled out in the 80s. The surf and turf California, available at some locations, adds shrimp, pico, and a proprietary dressing into the mix to prove the originators can also build on the classic. 

This taco shop empire hailing from the South Bay has some of the best fries in the game, meaning your California burrito will have the golden, crispy-fried goodness that many seek out. The quality of the beef and cheese is good too. Lolita’s operates seven local outposts, from Chula Vista to Kearny Mesa.

This Chula Vista favorite on Main Street features round-the-clock service and a drive-thru, making it easy for you to sate any possible 4 a.m. California burrito cravings. Asada’s slings a straightforward, no-frills take on the classic that makes it one of the most consistent choices in the South Bay.