Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Ensenada Port

Known as the “Cinderella of the Pacific”, Ensenada is located 70 miles south of the US international border, a 90-minute drive from San Diego via the Trans-Peninsula Highway, with its breathtaking ocean views. Its warm Mediterranean climate, safe and friendly atmosphere, and accessibility by land, air, and sea have continued to make Ensenada a favorite tourist destination for many years. It is Mexico’s second most visited port-of-call for major cruise lines and pleasure boats

Ensenada’s romantic past, dynamic presence, and promising future provide wide appeal for cultural visitors, vacationing families, and business travelers. The first visitor to Ensenada’s beautiful bay was Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino, who set ashore in 1602 and named the spot Ensenada de Todos los Santos, which means 'inlet of all the saints'. The saints have indeed been kind to Ensenada, which today has progressed from a Spanish mission station through fishing village status to become one of Mexico's major ports. With a variety of accommodations ranging from full-service resorts and convention centers to modern hotels with Old World charm and RV parks offering complete amenities, Ensenada easily suits every taste or budget.

Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center

Discover Ensenada’s romantic past at the Riviera del Pacífico Social, Civic and Cultural Center , centrally located on Blvd. Costero. Built in 1930, this former plush gambling casino was allegedly financed by Al Capone and managed by Jack Dempsey. It once hosted famous personalities like Johnny Weismuller, Myrna Loy, Lana Turner, Ali Khan, and Dolores del Rio. Wander through the beautiful botanical gardens landscaped with fountains, statues, and monuments detailing the history of Baja California; tour the elegant Cathedral Ballroom and Casino Salon; visit the Museum of History with its creatively designed rupestrian pathway; view the temporary exhibitions at the City Gallery; then sip a cool drink at the Andaluz Bar while admiring the original mural painted by Alfredo Ramos Martínez. Families with small children may opt to visit the well-equipped playground on the premises.

Across the street to the south is the Art Cultural Center (CEARTE) with well displayed galleries, friendly atmosphere and free wireless Internet in the coffee shop.

Continue along Blvd. Costero to Av. Castillo. At the Centro Artesanal, visit the Pérez Meillón Gallery with its fine selection of local Paipai and Kumiai Indian crafts and Pueblo pottery from Casas Grandes. Head toward the monumental Mexican flag located at the site known as Ventana al Mar, and then stroll along the waterfront (malecón), past the marinas and sport-fishing docks, to Baja California’s largest open-air seafood market and sample Ensenada’s original invention, the fish taco. Interested in deep-sea fishing for yellow tail, halibut, bass, and other local seasonal catches, open party boats depart from Sergio’s Sportfishing Center daily at 7 a.m. and return at 3 p.m. Fares include rod, reel, hooks, sinkers, bait, and license. Parties of all sizes can be accommodated.

Cross Blvd. Costero and proceed one block to Paseo Calle Primera, Ensenada’s famous shopping district. All sorts of goods can be found along the main street and side streets: handcrafted gold and silver jewelry, luxurious leather goods and huaraches, hand-painted dishes and pottery, designer clothing, hand-carved wooden furniture and ornaments, polished pewter, colorful piñatas, Cuban cigars, and European perfumes, crystal and porcelain. After shopping to your heart’s content, relax with a margarita and enjoy sumptuous sidewalk dining at El Rey Sol or El Cid’s Burladero, or have a bite to eat nearby at one of the excellent hotel restaurants like El Osito (at the Travelodge), Sorrento (at the Baja Inn Cortez) or Molokai (at the Baja Inn Santo Tomás)