Mexico is 20 minutes and a world away from downtown San Diego

San Diego’s San Ysidro border crossing is the world’s busiest. It is the gateway to the 1,000-mile-long Baja California peninsula, where rugged desert meets spectacular coastline and lively cities offer great shopping, excellent dining and an array of entertainment options. And the closest points of interest—Tijuana, Rosarito, Puerto Nuevo and Ensenada—are within easy reach and make for a memorable day trip.

Tijuana
The world’s most popular international border city is a cultural center, nightlife destination and shopping hub. On the famed Avenida Revolución, visitors can witness the colorful atmosphere of Tijuana through its street vendors, restaurants, clubs and bars. Folk art, crafts and souvenirs abound.

Perhaps the most striking attraction in the area is the Centro Cultural Tijuana, also known as CECUT (Paseo de los Héroes y Mina, 011.52.664.687.9650). Its impressive spherical building rises over the city’s Zona Río district. Inside, art exhibits, performing arts, planetarium shows and giant-screen Omnimax movies offer visitors plenty to see.

Family theme-park fun can be found at Mundo Divertido La Mesa (Paseo de los Heroes and Jose Maria Velasco #2578, 011.52.664.701.7133), which boasts a roller coaster, miniature golf, go-karts, batting cages and arcade games.

Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo
The beach town of Rosarito lies 30 minutes south of Tijuana and welcomes visitors with its relaxed atmosphere and ocean views. This city offers surfing and horseback riding along the beach by day and a boisterous nightlife at places such as Club Iggy’s (Ave. Coronado #11337, 011.52.661.612.0537) or Papas & Beer (Eucalipto 400 Y Coronado, 011.52.661.612.0444).

The city is also home to the legendary Rosarito Beach Hotel (Blvd. Benito Juarez #31; 800.343.8582), which has hosted Hollywood celebrities for decades. It offers luxury spas, pier fishing, fine dining, swimming pools, boutiques and more.

Just south of Rosarito is the small town of Puerto Nuevo, famed for its delectably prepared lobster. Also south of the city is Foxploration, a movie theme park and studio where parts of the movies Titanic and Pearl Harbor were filmed.

Ensenada
Overlooking the breathtaking Pacific, the toll road south from Tijuana ushers travelers into the vibrant port town of Ensenada. Here, visitors can experience coast-town culture, a scenic wine country and plenty of shopping.

On Boulevard Costero, Ensenada’s waterfront thoroughfare, tourists can take in Mercado de Mariscos, an indoor/outdoor fish market that offers a dazzling display of fish caught off the coast of Baja. Fish taco stands and souvenir vendors also line the street.

The stunning grounds of the Riviera del Pacifico (Blvd. Costero and Ave. Riviera) serve as Ensenada’s civic and cultural center. Once a 1930s gambling palace, its whitewashed hacienda-style building features a natural history museum and grand ballrooms. Its beautiful gardens are meticulously maintained.

Don’t miss the famous Hussong’s Cantina (Ave. Ruiz #113; 011.52.646.178.3210), the oldest bar in the Californias and the purported birthplace of the margarita. With its casual atmosphere and legendary mystique, the cantina’s popularity hasn’t faded in more than 110 years of operation.

About 20 miles south of Ensenada lies La Bufadora, a spectacular ocean geyser that channels the pounding surf into sprays that reach more than 70 feet. Arts, crafts and seafood restaurants abound in this area, and the coastline here is ideal for kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling.

Get there
Trolleys headed for the border depart downtown’s Santa Fe Depot regularly. Visitors can then walk, take a bus or catch a cab across to Tijuana. Drivers can take I-5 or I-805 south to the San Ysidro border crossing. Parking lots are available in San Ysidro if you don’t want to drive in. Day trips are offered by Baja California Tours, 858.454.7166; Contactours, 800.235.5393; and Universo Bajacaliforniano, 011.52.646.178.2232.

Fast Facts
• U.S. citizens traveling as far as Ensenada for less than 72 hours must have proof of citizenship but need not have a tourist card. Non-U.S. citizens must have a passport.

• Mexican auto insurance is recommended, but not required, and can be purchased on a day-to-day basis at dealers along the border. Uninsured drivers involved in an accident can be jailed until financial responsibility is assigned.

• Dial 078 for bilingual tourist help; dial 040 for local information.

• U.S. dollars and credit cards are widely accepted by businesses (but always ask before purchasing).

• Most ATMs accept U.S.-issued cards in the Plus or Cirrus systems.

• Tourists can bring back up to $800 in merchandise duty-free. Those 21 and older can bring back one liter of alcohol duty-free.

• Carrying firearms without a permit is illegal.

Click HERE for a map of Baja's relationship to San Diego.