Over 50 million people cross the border between California and Baja California each year. For those heading south, Baja California offers a myriad of things to see and do across multiple locales. So, whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend jaunt or an extended getaway, here’s an overview of some of the state’s top attractions.
Tijuana Zona Rio Four Corners
You could spend a complete day here enjoying shopping, dining and cultural attractions, and never move your car. Just five minutes from the San Ysidro border crossing, the Zona Río Four Corners are marked by the stylized “M” in the glorieta (roundabout) at the intersection of Tijuana’s Ave. Paseo de los Héroes and Ave. Independencia.
Corner 1
Start with Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT), the most important museum and entertainment complex in Tijuana. With scores of exhibits, CECUT’s Museum of the Californias traces the history of Baja California from prehistoric times until the 1970s. The IMAX Dome theatre shows the best widescreen films from all over the world, and CECUT’s Cineteca Tijuana screens some of the most important international films. The CECUT theatre is the home of the Orchestra of Baja California as well as opera, dance, plays and musical theatre. El Cubo, the fine arts museum, rotates collections from throughout Mexico and the world.
Corner 2
The Mercado Hidalgo, just two blocks from CECUT, is Tijuana’s grand central market. On the way, you pass our region’s fanciest car wash where your ride can be cleaned, polished and detailed — all indoors — while you shop.
Stroll through the stalls overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables, some of which are rarely seen north of the border. Stop in the market’s stores to shop for kitchen supplies. Dine with the locals at inexpensive restaurants. Buy cheese, nuts and chiles, or a piñata for your next party. Just note that most produce and meats cannot enter the U.S. If you have a question about what you can take home, check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
Corner 3
Plaza Fiesta is a mix of ethnic restaurants, craft breweries and the Plaza del Zapato, a building with nothing but shoe stores. In the next block along the Paseo de los Héroes is La Playa, Tijuana’s best-stocked liquor store. If you are looking for the best selection of tequilas and mezcals, you have found the right place.
Corner 4
Plaza Rio Mall occupies several blocks of shopping temptations. These include the Soriana Hiper Supermarket, one of the city’s largest, Sears (billionaire Carlos Slim owns the Mexican version of the iconic department store), a Gusher super-pharmacy and two movie houses. Catch a film at the Cinepolis or Cinepolis VIP for a fraction of the cost of similar luxury cinema north of the border. The latest American films will be playing in English with Spanish subtitles. Several dozen high-end stores and restaurants complete the offerings.
Tijuana Gastronomy
No North American city has gotten more attention from “foodies” than Tijuana in the past decade. Excellent Italian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Spanish, Korean and Thai restaurants are well represented in the city. However, the Baja California home-grown Baja-Med cuisine is what has taken dining critics from New York to London by storm. Much of this transformation has been led by the Plascencia family, which operates Casa Plascencia, Villa Saverios, Caesar’s, Misión 19 and the original family restaurant chain, Guiseppi’s.
Tecate
Tecate is Tijuana’s quieter eastern neighbor. It is the home of that city’s namesake brewery and tours of the Cerveceria Tecate are available to the public. Quality dining is available at several places in Tecate, including El Lugar de Nos, Amores, Vinoteca and Asao, which is located in the beautiful Hotel Santuario Diegueño. Another hotel favorite is the Hotel Kumiai.
The crown jewel of Tecate is Rancho La Puerta, one of the world’s finest health and fitness spas. Founded in 1940, Rancho La Puerta is the perfect place to escape from the stress and distractions of modern life with energetic fitness options, organic cuisine and a variety of massages, all in a tranquil setting in the shadow of Baja California’s mystical Mt. Kuchumaa. Most guests book a full week, but three- and four-night stays are also available.
Valle de Guadalupe
Mexico’s premier wine country runs along Mexico Highway 3 from Ensenada to Tecate, centered on the village of Francisco Zarco. More than 70% of Mexico’s wines are produced here. Often compared to Napa Valley 30 years ago, the Guadalupe Valley is an easy day trip from San Diego.
Wineries of note include LA Cetto, the best-known and largest, and the excellent Monte Xanic, Casa de Piedra and Chateau Camou, whose beautiful tasting rooms offer spectacular views over the valley. The Bibayoff vineyard harkens back to the valley’s many early 20th-century Russian settlements. Most vineyards line Mexico 3, and it’s easy to turn off and visit several in the same day.
Dining options should include Plascencia’s Finca Altozano, Laja, Deckman’s en el Mogar, La Esparanza and Corazón de Tierra.
Rosarito Beach
Tijuana’s southern neighbor, Rosarito, offers one of the best beaches on the coast, anchored by the historic Rosarito Beach Hotel and Spa. The hotel first opened its doors in 1924, and has attracted millions of visitors, including movie stars, presidents and international royalty.
Most of Rosarito Beach’s attractions are located along Benito Juárez Boulevard from the shopping mall in the north to the Arts District in the south. Good restaurants on the strip include El Nido for steaks, La Flor de Michoacán for carnitas.
Further south on Mexico Highway 1 and just past the Baja Film Studios are three Rosarito villages. First is Popotla with its waterfront seafood restaurants serving the catch of the day. Then there is Calafia, where facades of California missions are recreated and the Calafia restaurant offers spectacular coastal views.
Puerto Nuevo and its lobster
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Just past Calafia is Puerto Nuevo, famed for its lobster restaurants. The fancier restaurants are by the ocean, but any Mexican will tell you the best one is the simple Puerto Nuevo #1, serving only the iconic lobster with rice and beans. Puerto Nuevo #1 is on the left at the first cross street after entering the village and is noted by the lines of eager diners waiting out front for a luncheon table.
A little further on, the village of La Misión is best known as the place where Mexico 1 turns inland from the toll road toward the Valle de Guadalupe, and the always popular La Fonda hotel and restaurant, with a spectacular beach and ocean view.
Ensenada
While Ensenada is the closest gateway to the Valle de Guadalupe, it is well worth a visit, too. As Baja California’s largest seaport, Ensenada bustles with cargo liners and cruise ships.
Most cruise passengers head for the shops, restaurants and bars along Ave. Adolfo López Mateos, including El Rey Sol for fine French dining, La Guerrerense for the state’s best tostadas and Hussong’s Cantina, everyone’s favorite bar. Also important is the Caracol Museum and the Riviera Cultural Center, a former casino, with its history museum. To the south is Estero Beach and its famed Estero Beach Hotel, as well as La Bufadora, the largest sea geyser in North America that shoots water 100 feet into the air.
When you go
If you’re driving from the U.S., make sure that your U.S. auto insurance policy covers you. Many policies cover up to 50 miles from the border. However, if you are going to Ensenada or further south, you can buy Mexican insurance via organizations such as the Automobile Club of Southern California and Baja Bound.
Both Mexico and the U.S. require a valid passport to enter or re-enter the country. In addition, Mexico requires that all foreign visitors who are not legal residents have an FMM tourist card. You need to stop at the border and fill out the short visa form. If your stay is seven days or less, there is no charge.
James Clark writes for Mexico News Daily.
