Speaking of tacos, my favorite tacos in the Monterey area are:
Downtown: Lopez liquor store. All the tacos inside are great. Get some and go to the beach.
Near the aquarium: El Cantaro, a vegan taqueria. Spectacular. Everything is good. Speaking as a not vegan.
In Seaside: Seafood tacos at Barba Azul, with a rice plate. What I get when I’ve had a stressful day at work. With the cucumber agua fresca.
In Salinas: Tacos Pacheco