From Bakersfield but have lived here for the past decade+, I gotchu...
For pizza: Sgt. Pepperoni (best all around pizza for the $$$, have never taken a guest here that didn't absolutely love it, it's a good go-to) OR Apizza Doho (the best period, worth the drive from NB to Dana Point, seriously…
Molecajete in HB is great authentic Mexican. Taco Mesa in Costa Mesa is my personal favorite Mexican restaurant. Period! Massimos is great pizza. Bang for the buck is TK burger on PCH downtown.
Lots of great places down by the beach - Main St and Pacific City are your spots for a variety within walking distance.
602 Coffee for coffee, they also have great acai bowls and next door great breakfast burritos at Sanchos. If you're in for a full breakfast, you gotta go to Sugar Shack.
Burgers…
Yeah this guy is super pressed about burgers I guess, lmfao. With stuff like burgers, it's so preferential between two different people to the point a recommendation hardly even matters... I just listed TK because it's right by my house, I've gone there for years and love it. The quality has…
I mean TK Burger is a local institution if your kids go to school or play sports in the area. Similar to Wedge Burger but yeah probably better pure burgers around.
They specifically asked for ACTUAL GOOD QUALITY FOOD. So why would someone suggest a subpar burger spot. Doesn’t sound like the OP asked for a “local institutions”. If that’s the case go to Cassidy’s. Better then both TK and Wedge Burget