Guidebook for Tijuana
Arts & Culture
The Tijuana Cultural Center is the most important center for culture in northwest Mexico. Founded in 1982, the Tijuana Cultural Center portrays the culture of Mexico close to the border. The center has art galleries, a botanical garden, an aquarium, an IMAX theater, a performance hall, and an outdoor area that is a great place for events, festivals, and outdoor exhibits. There is constantly something going on at the Tijuana Cultural Center. The center hosts concerts, theatrical productions, movies, documentaries, and many other events, some of which are free to the public and others of which require paid tickets. The Tijuana Cultural Center also showcases a number of exhibits.
152 locals recommend
Tijuana Cultural Center
9350 P.º de los Héroes The Tijuana Cultural Center is the most important center for culture in northwest Mexico. Founded in 1982, the Tijuana Cultural Center portrays the culture of Mexico close to the border. The center has art galleries, a botanical garden, an aquarium, an IMAX theater, a performance hall, and an outdoor area that is a great place for events, festivals, and outdoor exhibits. There is constantly something going on at the Tijuana Cultural Center. The center hosts concerts, theatrical productions, movies, documentaries, and many other events, some of which are free to the public and others of which require paid tickets. The Tijuana Cultural Center also showcases a number of exhibits.
Another attraction in Tijuana is the Trompo Interactive Museum, which is a fun adventure both for adults and children. You can watch an interesting movie in the projection hall, see many cultural shows, try multiple experiments that will answer basic questions about the Earth we may have, play numerous games and of course educate in a funny and interesting way. General admission to the museum is 5 USD.
19 locals recommend
The Trompo Interactive Museum Tijuana
s/n Av de los Insurgentes Another attraction in Tijuana is the Trompo Interactive Museum, which is a fun adventure both for adults and children. You can watch an interesting movie in the projection hall, see many cultural shows, try multiple experiments that will answer basic questions about the Earth we may have, play numerous games and of course educate in a funny and interesting way. General admission to the museum is 5 USD.
Sightseeing
Revolution Avenue, known to locals as "La Revu," is Tijuana's main tourist drag, and is within walking distance of the U.S. border crossing. If you want to do the stereotypical tourist thing, buy a big sombrero and have your photo taken with a donkey that has zebra stripes painted on it, this is the place for it.
But after that, you should take the opportunity to discover some of the shops, restaurants and galleries that you'll also find along this strip. There's more than just t-shirts, postcards, and drug stores selling cheap medicine. You'll also find silver jewelry, quality handicrafts from around the country, and boutique shops selling all manner of luxury items.
71 locals recommend
Avenida Revolución
Avenida RevoluciónRevolution Avenue, known to locals as "La Revu," is Tijuana's main tourist drag, and is within walking distance of the U.S. border crossing. If you want to do the stereotypical tourist thing, buy a big sombrero and have your photo taken with a donkey that has zebra stripes painted on it, this is the place for it.
But after that, you should take the opportunity to discover some of the shops, restaurants and galleries that you'll also find along this strip. There's more than just t-shirts, postcards, and drug stores selling cheap medicine. You'll also find silver jewelry, quality handicrafts from around the country, and boutique shops selling all manner of luxury items.
These are the beaches of Tijuana. Playas de Tijuana is not full of sun-worshiping tourists but is rather mostly filled with middle-class families of Tijuana out for some family fun. The beach can be reached by multiple staircases that lead down from the street and a wooden boardwalk provides a walkway to stroll along the sand. Between the street and the boardwalk are multi-storied buildings, some housing restaurants and bars selling cold beers and fresh seafood. Along both the street and boardwalk are colorful examples of street art.
76 locals recommend
Playas de Tijuana
Escenica Tijuana-Ensenada These are the beaches of Tijuana. Playas de Tijuana is not full of sun-worshiping tourists but is rather mostly filled with middle-class families of Tijuana out for some family fun. The beach can be reached by multiple staircases that lead down from the street and a wooden boardwalk provides a walkway to stroll along the sand. Between the street and the boardwalk are multi-storied buildings, some housing restaurants and bars selling cold beers and fresh seafood. Along both the street and boardwalk are colorful examples of street art.
Mexico's wine region is not far from Tijuana, and if you have time, it's definitely worth a trip to the Valle de Guadalupe to check out some of the vineyards. The region's more than 150 wineries produce around 90 percent of Mexican wines and is one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world. Spend the day sampling the fantastic reds, admiring the rustic scenery, and snacking on fresh seafood and tacos.
294 locals recommend
Guadalupe
Mexico's wine region is not far from Tijuana, and if you have time, it's definitely worth a trip to the Valle de Guadalupe to check out some of the vineyards. The region's more than 150 wineries produce around 90 percent of Mexican wines and is one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world. Spend the day sampling the fantastic reds, admiring the rustic scenery, and snacking on fresh seafood and tacos.
If beer is your brew, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo (San Diego County) has revived a portion of the Tijuana & Tecate rail line, built as part of the San Diego & Arizona Railway between 1909 and 1919. Monthly excursions cross the border to Tecate, where you're on your own to explore the plaza and shops, and to seek lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants, food booths and panaderias. A Tecate Brewery tour is included in the price.
Tickets, which must be reserved in advance, are $43 for adults, $23 for children 3–12. Tots under 2 ride free on parents' laps. Trains leave at 10:30 a.m., returning to Campo at 4:30 p.m.
Gurú Empleos - Baja California
9365 P.º de los HéroesIf beer is your brew, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo (San Diego County) has revived a portion of the Tijuana & Tecate rail line, built as part of the San Diego & Arizona Railway between 1909 and 1919. Monthly excursions cross the border to Tecate, where you're on your own to explore the plaza and shops, and to seek lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants, food booths and panaderias. A Tecate Brewery tour is included in the price.
Tickets, which must be reserved in advance, are $43 for adults, $23 for children 3–12. Tots under 2 ride free on parents' laps. Trains leave at 10:30 a.m., returning to Campo at 4:30 p.m.
Besides the modern shopping experience, you can also visit a traditional Mexican market. There are a few around Tijuana, but the Mercado Hidalgo is most centrally located. Here you'll find creatively stacked fruit, locally produced cheeses, and a plethora of goods from south and central Mexico. You can have a snack at a food stand, sample some traditional Mexican candies and haggle for a souvenir.
15 locals recommend
Mercado Hidalgo
3546 Blvd. IndependenciaBesides the modern shopping experience, you can also visit a traditional Mexican market. There are a few around Tijuana, but the Mercado Hidalgo is most centrally located. Here you'll find creatively stacked fruit, locally produced cheeses, and a plethora of goods from south and central Mexico. You can have a snack at a food stand, sample some traditional Mexican candies and haggle for a souvenir.
Shopping
Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music, and music is what can be found in Plaza Saint Cecilia. This is where the locals go to hire mariachi bands for their parties. While we were walking through we got to see two young people performing the Mexican hat dance for a large crowd.
Plaza Saint Cecilia is a colorful reminder of old Tijuana. This is where Tijuana was founded in 1889. In addition to the music, this pedestrian street, the oldest street in Tijuana, also has a number of restaurants, bars, and shopping kiosks. We had a wonderful breakfast at Restaurante La Tradicion.
6 locals recommend
PLAZA SANTA CECILIA
Calle PrimeraSaint Cecilia is the patron saint of music, and music is what can be found in Plaza Saint Cecilia. This is where the locals go to hire mariachi bands for their parties. While we were walking through we got to see two young people performing the Mexican hat dance for a large crowd.
Plaza Saint Cecilia is a colorful reminder of old Tijuana. This is where Tijuana was founded in 1889. In addition to the music, this pedestrian street, the oldest street in Tijuana, also has a number of restaurants, bars, and shopping kiosks. We had a wonderful breakfast at Restaurante La Tradicion.
Food Scene
Caesar’s Restaurante Bar is a downtown Tijuana institution which has been around since 1927. Did you know the Caesar salad was invented in Tijuana? Well it was, and this is the restaurant where it was invented.
While Caesar’s is an institution, it is also a modern fine dining establishment. Caesar’s has been owned by the Plascencias, Tijuana’s famous culinary family, since 2010. This means the restaurant is both historic and really, really good. In addition to that you can still order it prepared table-side.
11 locals recommend
Hotel Caesars
1079 Av. RevoluciónCaesar’s Restaurante Bar is a downtown Tijuana institution which has been around since 1927. Did you know the Caesar salad was invented in Tijuana? Well it was, and this is the restaurant where it was invented.
While Caesar’s is an institution, it is also a modern fine dining establishment. Caesar’s has been owned by the Plascencias, Tijuana’s famous culinary family, since 2010. This means the restaurant is both historic and really, really good. In addition to that you can still order it prepared table-side.
If you’re into substance more than aesthetics, Mariscos Don Luis; is the spot for you. Serving all the typical Mexican seafood dishes, Mariscos Don Luis is the average hole in the wall joint in a sketchy neighborhood that’s actually a diamond in the rough and a local favorite. What it lacks in decor it more than makes up for it with the food — everything from the cucaracha shrimp with a tangy sauce dip, to the fish ceviche tostada, to the fish skin chicharron, and the spicy aguachile appetizer — is all worth the trek here.
Mariscos Don Luis
7085 Mesa RedondaIf you’re into substance more than aesthetics, Mariscos Don Luis; is the spot for you. Serving all the typical Mexican seafood dishes, Mariscos Don Luis is the average hole in the wall joint in a sketchy neighborhood that’s actually a diamond in the rough and a local favorite. What it lacks in decor it more than makes up for it with the food — everything from the cucaracha shrimp with a tangy sauce dip, to the fish ceviche tostada, to the fish skin chicharron, and the spicy aguachile appetizer — is all worth the trek here.
When Kokopelli started off as a street cart in 2012, it quickly shook the food scene in the region, especially since food trucks weren’t yet a thing. Four years later, their concept of experimental seafood tacos evolved into a full-fledged restaurant; Tras/Horizonte. Among the highlights, the Rockefeller oysters with chistorra, gorgonzola, and cherry tomatoes with a balsamic glaze on toasted bread; rib mole burger; and the smoked marlin taco Pibil. Moreover, it also features a brewery and mixology drinks, like the kooky mezcal, Oaxacan chocolate, poblano chile, orange bitters and brown sugar called El Rey.
18 locals recommend
TRAS / HORIZONTE by kokopelli
9680 Río ColoradoWhen Kokopelli started off as a street cart in 2012, it quickly shook the food scene in the region, especially since food trucks weren’t yet a thing. Four years later, their concept of experimental seafood tacos evolved into a full-fledged restaurant; Tras/Horizonte. Among the highlights, the Rockefeller oysters with chistorra, gorgonzola, and cherry tomatoes with a balsamic glaze on toasted bread; rib mole burger; and the smoked marlin taco Pibil. Moreover, it also features a brewery and mixology drinks, like the kooky mezcal, Oaxacan chocolate, poblano chile, orange bitters and brown sugar called El Rey.