Hop the Trolley for a San Diego Taco Tour

The UTC station, part of the UC San Diego Blue Line Extension that has extended the system from La Jolla to the border, is a great place to launch your taco adventures. The station not only offers easy access to some of the region’s best shopping at the Westfield UTC mall, but it’s also home to Javier’s, the upscale Mexican restaurant that showcases exquisite cross-border cuisine and one of the largest selections of fine tequilas on the West Coast. Along with its sumptuous seafood and grill specialties, Javier’s features a suite of gourmet tacos from camaron to carne, plus a full dozen varieties of margaritas.

A quick ride south from UTC brings you to the Old Town Trolley Station, gateway to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park — and to something approaching taco nirvana. Start at Cafe Coyote, an Old Town favorite whose specialties include margarita tacos piled with sautéed shrimp, cabbage, salsa fresca and jalapeno white sauce. Or head over to the two great restaurants at the convivial Casa Guadalajara and check out this venerable restaurant’s creative taco takes, from crispy shrimp and mango to “The Best No Fish Tacos,” made with seasoned zucchini. Flor’s Farm to Table in the courtyard of the Whaley House Museum — said to be one of the most haunted houses in the U.S. — serves cuisine by notable cross-border chef Flor Franco, and featured tacos include seared red snapper and the “haunted kraken” with sauteed octopus, chipotle and pickled onions. Finally, there’s Tahona Bar, whose amazing array of mezcals, tequilas and cocktails are matched by impressive taco options ranging from creative vegetarian (maitake mushroom and cauliflower with mole) to carnivorous (carnitas and quesabirria).

The very next trolley station is the Washington Street stop, where just up the hill sits Lucha Libre Taco Shop. The restaurant’s décor is inspired by the bright colors and distinctive masks of Mexican wrestling. And the menu features such dishes as the “Surfin’ California” taco (with steak, shrimp, fries, pico, cheese, avocado and “secret" chipotle sauce), and the birria quesa taco, with beef birria, melted cheese, onions, cilantro and salsa muerta. Call ahead to reserve the “Champ’s Booth,” a gloriously gaudy gold-vinyl booth complete with its own special menu.

A couple of stops south on the Blue Line is the County Center/Little Italy station. Hop off and venture over to Tijuanero by Tijuanazo, a walk-up taco stand right in the heart of lively Little Italy. It’s the San Diego outpost of Tijuana-based Taquería Tijuanazo — a favorite chain famous for the adobada (marinated and seared pork) shaved right from the trompo (a vertical rotisserie) topped with a massive scoop of guacamole.  

One stop down is the historic Santa Fe Depot, a Spanish Colonial Revival landmark opened in 1915. Catch a transfer here to the Green Line for a quick trip to the Seaport Village station. A short walk from there is the picturesque Old Police Headquarters, which houses Puesto at the Headquarters. The restaurant chain, which started in San Diego, takes an innovative and contemporary approach to Mexican cuisine. Puesto sources its ingredients locally and regionally for its Mexico City-inspired tacos. The filet mignon taco is a standout, prepared with a handmade blue-corn tortilla, Puesto’s signature crispy melted cheese, avocado and spicy pistachio serrano salsa. For vegetarians, the taco with squash, zucchini, tomatillo verde salsa, cilantro aioli and zucchini chips is a great pick.

Two stops away on the Green Line, trolley riders will find themselves in the heart of the action at the Gaslamp Quarter station. This historic downtown neighborhood is known for its eclectic and electric night life — and for serving as a gateway to Petco Park, the stunning home of the San Diego Padres. Fifth Avenue is the heart of the neighborhood and the busy corridor is now home to two legendary taco establishments. Tacos El Gordo is a local institution and open late. Tacos El Franc, which was featured in Netflix’s "Taco Chronicles" and mentioned in the Michelin Guide, recently expanded to the U.S. Try the adobada and carne asada at both locales and see which is your favorite.

If you attend a game at Petco Park, you’ll discover multiple taco options among the generous food offerings — including the delicious, shrimp-centric Track Taco at Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill. Near Petco Park is the urban East Village neighborhood, where Lola 55 — the only taqueria in San Diego to be awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand — has traditional and creative tacos, like mesquite chicken with coconut rice and a peanut macha salsa. Also just steps away from Petco is The Blind Burro, whose taco offerings include coffee-rubbed salmon, cilantro-lime grilled shrimp and vegetarian crispy spiced cauliflower.

One stop away from the Gaslamp is the 12th & Imperial Station, which reconnects with the Blue Line. And a short ride on the Blue Line will transport taco lovers to historic Barrio Logan, officially designated a California Cultural District. Just past Chicano Park, which features more than 80 murals detailing the struggles and beauty of the local Mexican American community, is the legendary Las Cuatro Milpas, a Barrio Logan institution. Founded in 1933, it's San Diego's third-oldest restaurant famous for the flour tortillas, tamales, beans and rice, and other traditional Mexican specialties. The restaurant closed at the end of 2025 and reopened in a brand-new location at 1985 National Avenue in the Mercado del Barrio complex. While the location may be new, the simple tacos (regular or rolled) remain the same.

Also in the neighborhood is Fish Guts, which received acclaim for Chef Pablo Becker’s spin on Baja-style fish tacos and his dedication to serving locally caught seafood. Try the smoked fish dip and the coconut-battered shrimp with spicy slaw.