Which mulch should be used in the veggie garden?

I know this question has been asked many times, but I just can't find what I'm looking for.  So apologies.  I have never mulched my veggie garden.  I have some kind of pine wood chips that are about 7 months old. I could get a new load of wood chips, but who knows what kind of wood it would be. I have some straw, but it does have seeds. I could buy a new bale of straw for 10.00 hopefully with no seeds this time.  I can buy a very large bag of rice hulls for 10.00, but it seems like they would blow away.  I don't have leaves, or grass clippings.  What else?
I live in N California zone 9b. I have raised beds. 3 typical, and 3 hugel beets.  Weeds are a small issue, but mostly I would like to reduce water consumption, and improve the soil.  I know there is no one right answer here, but I would love some feedback.  Thank you.

I use wood chips, any kind, fresh or old.  If they are old enough, as in already pretty much soil, you can plant right in them. If they are fresh, i open a row in the chips, plant in the soil, wait till the plants come up. After they are up a few inches, i push the chips in around them.  I have used a lot of different mulchs but i prefer wood chips.

Look around for farmers looking to sell well rotted hay, while not completely weed free, cheap biomass in large quantity.

What about using a living mulch?  It can also be beneficial for attracting pollinators.

I use sweet alyssum or french marigold.  

I have heard clover is good.

I have not grown creeping thyme though it seems it would be a good living mulch if it will not choke out the other plants.