Things to do in Baja California
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Taquería El Fogón
Taquería El Fogón serves outstanding tacos al pastor (rotisserie pork tacos) and several other variations on the tortilla-packed-with-goodies concept. Vegetarians can dig into quesadillas or stuffed potatoes.
reviewed
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Villa Saverios
Villa Saverios takes the concept of 'Baja Med' to absurd heights. The results? Try beef cheeks stuffed with ancho chilies; mesquite-grilled quail; tuna sashimi; gourmet burritos; sliced raw lobster with a chile vinaigrette; filet mignon carpaccio; or abalone served in its shell and smothered with chipotle cream sauce (gulp). Classical music tinkles over a fairly formal dining room, so dress appropriately.
reviewed
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El Zaguán
This small restaurant shows big imagination with mouth-watering dishes like filleted fish in peanut sauce with rice and organic salad, octopus soup, tuna marinated in sesame oil with papaya salsa, and shrimp sautéed in basil oil. Everything is organic, the atmosphere is romantic at night, prices are great, and the flavors exquisite.
reviewed
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Birriería La Guadalajara
Birriería La Guadalajara Birria (stewed goat, beef or lamb) is the specialty here, and you can order it made de borrego (lamb), de res (beef) or de chivo (goat). Big steaming bowls (or tacos, if you wish) will land on your table and keep you energized for hours.
reviewed
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Bazar Casa Ramirez
Several readers have recommended this labyrinthine, two-story handicrafts store with items from all over Mexico. Prices are a little steep, but quality is high, and you'll definitely find a colorful selection. It has a large selection of Day of the Dead paraphernalia.
reviewed
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Vittorio’s
For years this cozy Italian restaurant has been serving generous portions of reasonably priced pizza and pasta. Head to the back and you’ll feel like the Godfather in the plush leather booths with dim lighting. Daily specials cost only M$80.
reviewed
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Museo de Cera
Most of the motley crew at the Museo de Cera look mildly constipated, but it’s fun anyway. Madonna appears to have had open-heart surgery, Michael Jackson looks creepy and John Lennon, yep, appears appropriately stoned.
reviewed
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Mamá's Royal Café
Mexican decorations splash cheerful colors over the patio here, and breakfasts are the best reason to come. They're big and delicious and include several versions of eggs benedict, French toast and plenty of Mexican egg dishes.
reviewed
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Club Extasis
Tijuana's biggest and some say best gay dance club - complete with male strippers and karaoke - is right on the border. It's famous for its male dancers and 'dark room' area where no lights means much more than dancing goes on.
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Caguamamas
Thursday is karaoke nights, and Friday through Sunday it hosts the somewhat legendary Amanda's Show, featuring trávesti (transvestite) performers. It's next door to Club Extasis, right near the border.
reviewed
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Cenaduría Selecta
This family-run diner is a Mexicali institution specializing in antojitos like beef tacos and burritos. Some swear this is the best Mexican food in town. The set meals are a bargain.
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Copal
Copal On the east side of Plaza Mijares, Copal has an interesting assortment of crafts, jewelry, rugs and masks.
reviewed
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La Estrella
Just off La Revo, this is a great spot to sip cheap beers, dance some salsa, or belt out karaoke tunes.
reviewed
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Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé
Across the Transpeninsular and near the southern bank of the river, Mulegé's restored Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé stands atop a hill southwest of town. Founded in 1705 and completed in 1766, the mission functioned until 1828, when the declining indigenous population led to its abandonment.
Remodeled several times, the church is less architecturally distinguished than its counterparts in San Ignacio and San Borja; it's imposing but utilitarian, with fewer enticing details. The exterior alone is still faithful to the original.
Behind the church, a short footpath climbs a volcanic outcrop to an overlook with soothing views of the palm-lined Arroyo Santa Rosalía and its…
reviewed
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Misión San Ignacio de Kadakaamán
With lava-block walls nearly 1.2m (4ft) thick, the former Jesuit Misión San Ignacio de Kadakaamán stands directly across from San Ignacio's small plaza and is flanked by a tiny grove of citrus trees. Occupying the site of a former Cochimí ranchería (indigenous settlement), the mission has been in continuous use since its founding in 1728. One of the three 18th-century altar pieces inside is dedicated to the San Ignacio de Loyola, the town's patron saint.
The mission was initiated by the famous Jesuit Fernando Consag, and was completed in 1786 under the direction of Dominican Juan Crisóstomo Gómez. Epidemics reduced the Cochimí population from about 5000 to only 120 by…
reviewed
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Estero San José
Although the Puerto Los Cabos development is taking a devastating toll upon the San José estuary - especially near the ocean - it's still one of the town's most delightfully peaceful spots and a good place to squeeze in a little bird watching. It is, at least in name, a protected wildlife sanctuary and home to many bird species, including frigate birds, sparrow hawks, white herons and red-tailed hawks.
This protected wildlife sanctuary (at least by name) is home to many bird species, including frigate birds, sparrow hawks, white herons and red-tailed hawks. Near the corner of Benito Juárez, a palm-lined pedestrian trail, known as the Paseo del Estero, parallels Blvd Mija…
reviewed
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Museo de las Californias
The Museo de las Californias chronicles the history of Baja California from prehistoric times to the present. The exhibit kicks off with replica cave paintings, then covers important historical milestones, including the earliest Spanish expeditions under Hernán Cortés, the mission period, the Treaty of Hidalgo, the Chinese immigration, the irrigation of the Colorado River delta and the advent of the railroad. It's an excellent introduction to the peninsula and should not be missed.
Displays in glass cases mix with scale replicas of ships, missions, other objects and fairly realistic dioramas. All explanatory paneling is in English and Spanish, and touch-screen terminals…
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Plaza Fiesta Mall
What La Revo is to gringos, Plaza Fiesta mall is to locals. The dozen or so bars and restaurants here are great places to knock back a few tequilas and hear the local rock and DJ talent thrash (or spin) it out. It's unique because you can take your pick simply by walking door to door.
The bars include Sambuca (a Brazilian-themed place), Monte Picacho (live rock en español - Spanish-language rock - Sunday through Thursday, DJs Friday and Saturday), Callejón del Ambiente (great for '80s music and the diverse crowd), Bar Sótano Suizo, El Bunker, Indestruckt (for the industrial and garage scene) and Pancho Villas ('tequila, tacos & rock-n-roll!').
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Frontón Palacio Jai Alai
Oddly baroque in style, the striking Frontón Palacio Jai Alai is a Tijuana landmark fronting nearly an entire block of Av Revolución. Construction began in 1926, but wasn't completed until 1947. For decades it hosted the fast-moving ball game of jai alai - a sort of hybrid between squash and tennis, originating in Spain's Basque Country. Unfortunately, a strike by Mexico City players combined with the game's obscurity and lack of attendance forced the owner to close down the operation.
The building now hosts cultural events including music and theater performances, and you can usually get in to take a look at the courts and lobby area.
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Av Revolución
Virtually every visitor to Tijuana has to experience at least a brief stroll along raucous Av Revolución, also known as 'La Revo'. It's a mishmash of nightclubs, bellowing hawkers outside seedy strip bars, brash taxi drivers, tacky souvenir stores, street photographers with zebra-striped burros, discount liquor stores and restaurants.
If you're walking north to south but find the sensory assault from high-tech sound systems too overwhelming to return the same way, try the more conventional shopping street of Av Constitución, paralleling La Revo one block west. It has a far more local flare.
reviewed
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Playa Médano
Cabo San Lucas has three main beaches. The most popular is Playa Médano, which runs northeast for about 3km (2 miles) from the Hacienda Beach Resort (under renovation). The water is crystal clear and calm, making it ideal for swimming (or, as the case may be, wading with a margarita glasses in hand). Buoyed swimming areas keep the jet skis, parasailers and fishing pangas away from the swimmers (at least in theory), and cruise ships float off shore.
With several bars right on the beach, it's a great place to chill out, pound your favorite cocktails and basically feel merry in the sun.
reviewed
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Malecón
Malecón. La Paz's Newly Reconstructed Waterfront, With Its Wide Sidewalk, Tiny Beaches, Tourist Pier, Benches, Sculptures By Local Artists And Unimpeded Sunset Views, Has Become The City's Biggest Highlight. At The Time Of Research, The Malecón Stretched 5.5km (3.5 Miles), From The Marina De La Paz In The South, To Playa Coromuel To The North. The Real Magic Is At Sundown, When Paceños Spill Out Of Their Homes And Take To The Malecón To Stroll, Jog, Bike, Power Walk Or Just Hang Out And Listen To The Live Bands That Set Up On What's Easily One Of Mexico's Finest Waterfronts.
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Cervecería Tijuana
If you're a beer-drinker, make a pilgrimage to this microbrewery, which opened in early 2000. Owner José González Ibarra's vision was to make a potent brew in the tradition of pilsner beer, which originated in the Czech Republic. He imported all the technology from that country and a young Czech brew master whose efforts have clearly paid off.
Sold under the brand name Tijuana, this is a superior and full-bodied beer that easily measures up to some of Europe's finest. It is best enjoyed in the atmospheric, timbered brewery pub, about 3.2km (1.5 miles) south of downtown.
reviewed
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Reserva de la Biosféra Sierra de la Laguna
The lush forests of the 1128-sq-km (434-sq-mi) Sierra de la Laguna are rugged, remote and largely uninhabited, although they teem with animals and plants, many of them unique to the area. Adventurous and experienced hikers will have a field day here, but trails are often poorly marked. Consider hiring a guide or joining an organized group hike.
This is a Unesco biosphere reserve, wherein swathes of naturally significant land are fully protected within zonas núcleo (core areas) but locals are allowed to work certain surrounding areas using sustainable methods.
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Tequila's Sunrise
If you can handle the Eagles barrage (you're almost guaranteed to hear Hotel California at least twice while you're here), pop into the restaurant that claims to be the original restaurant that was in Hotel California. Whether you buy it not, it's a fun place, and every inch of just about everything in the place is covered in permanent marker, business cards and dollar bills.
The menu features everything from surf-and-turf platters to garlic shrimp, salads and good ol' Mexican food. If you'd rather taste premium tequilas, try the tequila bar.
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