Travel Guide TIJUANA AND ROSARITO Contents DISCOVER TIJUANA AND ROSARITO 01 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO PROFILE 03 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO ATTRACTIONS 04 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO DINING 08 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO SHOPPING 10 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO NIGHTLIFE 13 THINGS TO DO IN TIJUANA AND ROSARITO 15 DISCOVER TIJUANA AND ROSARITO Tijuana is a cosmopolitan, multifaceted city that offers visitors the feeling of being immersed in two distinct cultures at the same time: Mexico and the United States. Avenida Revolucion is perhaps the area where this is most obvious. Located in the heart of Tijuana, this hybrid area showcases elements of both the American and Mexican cultures. This border city has long been linked with the economy and traditions of the United States via the neighboring city of San Diego. Tijuana offers a variety of attractions, including world-class restaurants, lively nightclubs, fascinating museums, colorful craft shops and modern shopping malls. You can also enjoy beautiful golf courses, beaches, bullfights, greyhound racing and many attractions that cannot be found in any other Mexican city. ROSARITO South of Tijuana and just 25 minutes away from the American city of San Diego is the town of Rosarito, where the main attractions are its beautiful beaches along with golf courses, spas and exciting nightlife. The town also has incredible sunsets, exquisite cuisine and an excellent climate that makes it ideal for year-round travel. Visitors can enjoy various water sports, cycling, horse-back riding and ATV tours or just relax on the oceanfront. 1 A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY Tijuana’s name comes from the union of the words “Tia” (aunt) and “Juana”, as this great city was once the home of Tia Juana, a celebrated early landowner who lived here during the nineteenth century. In 1848 when Mexico lost Alta California during the war with the United States, the Tijuana Valley became the location of the international boundary line. The fame of the vibrant city of Tijuana came into being in 1920, when prohibition laws in the United States forced drinkers from across the border to quench their thirst in Mexico. Mexican migrants from the interior of the country added to the population, as they sought to find jobs at the border or cross into the United States as laborers. 2 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO PROFILE A border city with a great flow of visitors and home of the busiest international border crossing in the world An excellent shopping destination, located near San Diego Famous for its vibrant nightlife Home to casinos and greyhound racing Just a short distance away from the beautiful Rosarito beaches An industrial city with dozens of factories 3 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO ATTRACTIONS Tijuana offers a great variety of fun and entertainment. The city has a well-developed tourist industry, fantastic restaurants, beaches and professional golf courses along with casinos, bars, nightclubs, concerts, bull rings, a race track and even a greyhound track. Its modern development is reflected in the Zona Rio (River Zone), which has wide tree-lined avenues framed by beautiful gardens. OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHEDRAL Inaugurated in 1902 and raised to the status of a cathedral in 1964, this is the oldest church in Tijuana. Construction on the cathedral continued until it became the beautiful architectural wonder that is it today. AVENIDA REVOLUCION This famous avenue was built in 1889 and from the beginning has been popular with tourists shopping for handicrafts or those seeking out the city’s restaurants and entertainment venues. This noisy thoroughfare is busy throughout the day and night, and almost anything is permitted. During your visit, make sure you take the time to enjoy the warmth and friendliness of the people you meet on Tijuana’s most famous street. 4 TIJUANA CULTURAL CENTER Known as CECUT, this is the cultural emblem of the city thanks to the variety of artwork exhibited. You’ll find paintings, photography and sculpture as well as theater, dance and various art festivals all on show here. The site is also home to the Centro de Artes Escenicas del Noroeste (Northwest Performing Arts Center), a planetarium cinema (Omnimax), an art gallery, an outdoor theater, a museum and a library. ROSARITO BEACHES Just 25 minutes away from Tijuana, the town of Rosarito is famous for its beautiful beaches. This is the perfect place to snorkel, fish and even surf. Throughout the journey from Tijuana to Rosarito, you’ll be able to enjoy incredible sights and a unique landscape as you travel along the scenic road. Rosarito offers plenty of fun options, including shopping areas where you can purchase the perfect souvenir, such as carved furnishings and home accessories that have traditional Mexican designs. You’ll also find championship golf courses, ocean view spas, and nightclubs. 5 CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS IN TIJUANA • Galeria de Arte de la Ciudad (art exhibits and plays) • Casa de la Cultura (art exhibits) • Baja California Institute of Culture • Tijuana History Society (cultural space with a museum, exhibition hall, auditorium and library) CULTURAL EVENTS • Fiesta Brava - an exhibition of world-renowned bullfighters • Feria Tijuana - features an arena where famous singers perform • Festival de Aniversario de la Ciudad - various art and culinary events • Festival del Pescado y el Marisco - seafood and fish festival. • Festival del Platillo Mexicano - an Ensenada food festival. WAX MUSEUM This Tijuana museum features more than 80 replicas of famous people. It is the second wax museum created in Latin America and exhibits international celebrities as well as political and historical figures. ROSARITO CANYON The mountainous area of Rosarito provides visitors with additional fun and excitement in the form of mountain biking, horseback riding and even motorcycle rentals that you can take on a cross-country trip. Once in a while, the area also hosts professional competitions that you can enjoy as a spectator. 6 TIJUANA BULLRINGS These buildings offer a fascinating history and incomparable architectural beauty. The first bull ring was called “El Toreo en Tijuana” and is located on the oldest street in the city. A steel structure built in the early twenties as a symbol of the growing tourism industry in Tijuana, it can hold up to 30,000 people. The second is Plaza del Mar, located along the coast of Tijuana near the border. This beautiful bullring is a clear example of modern classical architecture in Mexico. OTHER ATTRACTIONS NOT TO BE MISSED • Galgodromo de Tijuana - Horse and greyhound racing. • Jai-Alai - This historic building opened in 1947 and for many years was dedicated to the “Jai-Alai” ball game. It features neoclassical architecture and is one of the most important buildings in Tijuana. It is currently used as a forum for cultural and entertainment events. • Mundo Divertido - This family entertainment center has video games, go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, a roller coaster and a children’s train. • Spas and Beauty Clinics in Rosarito - Professionals offer relaxing therapies and beauty treatments. REAL DEL MAR This tourist development is located by the Pacific Ocean, just 20 minutes away from the Rio Zone. It is surrounded by the unique landscape of the Baja California coast and features a professional 18-hole golf course with a clubhouse. This beautiful site is something that cannot be missed by golf aficionados. 7 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO DINING Tijuana has exquisite food that combines the roots of Mexican dishes with Mediterranean ingredients, creating an interesting mix that in recent years has been called BajaMed cuisine. Due to Tijuana’s proximity to the United States, the best American ingredients have been added to those from northwest Mexico, resulting in unique Tijuana cuisine. Additional influences include French, Spanish and Italian, turning Tijuana into a true gourmet center. This cosmopolitan city is the birthplace of the world famous Caesar Salad, which was first created by Mr. Caesar Cardini at Hotel Caesar. Tijuana offers a diverse selection of cuisine, and you can visit many of the restaurants found in the main dining areas of the city: Agua Caliente, Sanchez Taboada and Paseo de los Heroes. 8 LOBSTER AND SEAFOOD IN ROSARITO This is traditionally served in the coastal area of Puerto Nuevo, Rosarito, an area that is better known as “lobster village”. Nearly one million exquisitely prepared lobsters are prepared each year, providing visitors with the perfect balance of flavors. During your visit, make sure you try the succulent local dish “butter-fried lobster” served with beans, rice and tortillas. Rosarito’s fish and seafood is famous for its freshness and is used in both pre-Hispanic dishes and sophisticated international cuisine. There are plenty of options to suit all budgets and tastes. WINE AND BEER IN TIJUANA Another fantastic gastronomic attraction of this destination is its renowned wines, famous not only in Mexico but throughout the world. The Wine Route is less than an hour away from Tijuana and it’s where the best Mexican wines are produced in vineyards like Santo Tomas, Casa Bibayoff, Chateau Camou, Casa de Dona Lupe and Monte Xanic, to mention just a few. Tijuana is also famous for its beer, including the Tecate and Mexicali brands as well as craft beers. 9 TIJUANA AND ROSARITO SHOPPING Tijuana has a long history as a shopping mecca due to its “tax-free” border status. The city has a variety of shopping malls, stores and markets that offer a variety of Mexican crafts. Without a doubt, the most traditional shopping area in Tijuana is the famous Avenida Revolucion. Boulevard Benito Juarez is the main street of Rosarito and it’s where you’ll find craft stores that sell genuine works of art from around the country, including pottery from Oaxaca, serapes from the State of Mexico, Guerrero silver and many other curiosities.