Why Visit Ensenada? Location, Location, Location!
How often we have heard this over and over when seeking a business or home to invest for future planning. So why visit Ensenada? Location, location, location! Ensenada is the largest municipality in Mexico and the third-largest city. Just a short drive from San Diego, the city is located in a Mediterranean mild-like climate overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect place for fishing, boating, sailing, and enjoying walks along the boardwalk.
Looking forward to my visit to Ensenada, I was hoping to find out more about this third largest city in this Mexican state of Baja California. Checking out maps and talking with others about visiting Ensenada, I was able to find out that it is about 80 miles south of the San Diego/ Tijuana border once arriving in the port city of Ensenada, which is located in the Bahia de Todaos Santos, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean.
The day that I was visiting Ensenada, the cruise ship, Carnival Paradise, dropped anchor to let off the many cruisers to check out what Ensenada had to offer for the day. In fact, I found out that Ensenada has over 338 ship arrivals a year! It just goes to show how many people come to enjoy and experience the warmth and hospitality of the people in Ensenada and Mexico!
Tours and Ideas for Visitors to Ensenada, California
When guests step off the ship in the downtown area of the city, it’s just a short walk to Ensenada’s downtown and the hub of activity in the area. There are lots of tours available as well as sights to see. Read on for more!
Wine Regions: Guadalupe Valley is one of Ensenada’s wine regions and here, you can sample some of the world’s finest wines, visit their facilities, have a snack and even buy a bottle from LA Cetto or other famous wineries like Bodegas de Santo Tomas, Chateau Camou, Domevq with many others located along this Ruta del Vino Valley or “Wine Valley Route.”
Water Wonders: Another popular tour is to La Bufadora, called La Bufadora because it roars like a buffalo when surging every few seconds. Here, you will enjoy watching Mother Nature and the Pacific Ocean as it causes unusual water formations as it spouts high above the ocean rocks shooting water in all directions with the force of sheer energy.
Souvenirs and Trinkets: If you are seeking some souvenirs to buy, you will find pottery, belts, T-shirts, dresses, sombreros, silver, jewelry and medicine in the area. Believe me, te shopping will keep you busy!
Riviera del Pacifico Cultural and Convetion Center. Visitors and cruises not wishing to take a tour have the wonderful opportunity to visit some of the historic parts of the city which includes the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural and Convention Center, centrally located on Blvd. Costero. This cultural center was built back in 1930 with alleged financing by Al Capone and managed by Jack Dempsey. Yes, the movie stars for the day: Johnny Weismuller, Myrna Loy, Lana Turner and others enjoyed their stay at this plush gambling casino of the era. You’ll feel the romantic history as you walk the gardens and hallways of this classic tribute to the past.
Hussong’s Cantina & Tacos Mi Ranchito El Fenix: For those wishing a different type of excitement, a visit to the one hundred year old Hussong’s Cantina (1892) is an experience you’ll not forget, as you listen to Mariachi music and happy people enjoying the atmosphere. It’s truly a fun place if you don’t mind peanut shells all over the floor while everyone enjoys eating them along with their beer or margarita. After this, take a stroll down the street to visit Tacos Mi Ranchito El Fenix and order the famous fish or shrimp tacos with the locals as they enjoy their quick lunch.
If You Like Fine Dining: However, a more elegant experience for lunch or dinner might be the lovely El Rey Sol or perhaps visit the famous San Nicolas Hotel, where you find the casino busy and historical artwork decorating the hotel walls by artist Alfredo Rodriguez, an assistant to the famous Diego Rivera.
Ensenada Police Operations Center: Not everyone gets the opportunity to visit the Police Operations Center, “COP” that protects the citizens and visitors to Ensenada, as surveillance has the city covered with selected cameras that are watched over 24 hours a day. Fifty-three cameras are protecting the city all the time by police officers, where the city wishes to offer this security at all times and making the city of Ensenada a city safe to visit and explore. This is quite an eye opener seeing the city at all angles, from corner to streets to walkways to highways, always protecting the city.
Golfing: Golfers, you have several opportunities to visit the Bajamar Ocean Front Resort where they promote: Live….Stay…and Play. Plus, the up and coming Baja Country Club where you will find new 2-3 bedrooms homes under $200,000 along the fairway.
Finally, make sure that you inquire about the Ensenada “LIVE IT, for Distinguished Visitors” Discount Card to the city’s many establishments from restaurants to hotels golf to massages, and museums to gift shops, all offering discounts from 10% to 25%. The Discount Card is valid for 4 persons until 2010, costs $12 and is endorsed by Mayor Pablo Alejo Lopez. With the mayor’s picture on the discount card, you can’t go wrong!
Enjoy!
This article was originally featured in Mission Valley News & Views and was reproduced with permission.
Dick Slaker works for Adventures in Travel, San Diego, and also owns a cruise agency, Cruisemart of California.
Photography used with permission from Alice Gerschler, photographer and travel agent for Travelwise International in San Diego.