There are more than one hundred border cities in the world, known for their great diversity of traditions and culture. One of them is Tijuana, the most visited in the world. In the northwesternmost point of Mexico, in the state of Baja California, Tijuana borders the United States city of San Diego, making it one of the largest binational metropolitan areas in the world.
The mix of culture in Tijuana is what makes it so interesting. The growth of tourism has been mainly due to the diversity of activities, as well as its proximity to San Diego. It’s estimated that there are over 300,000 daily border crossings between San Diego and Tijuana. There is much to see and visit for all interests when traveling to this city.
Avenida Revolucion
Avenida Revolucion is the most well-known street in the city thanks to its history and antiquity. It starts at the Tijuana Tower, and ends at the Avenida Internacional, on the border with San Diego. It was built in 1889 with the purpose of making a principal street, like the well-known Main Streets in many cities in the United States. The development of Tijuana and of this avenue is due to the alcohol prohibition imposed in 1920 across the border, which made the economy and the number of restaurants in this area flourish.
Pasaje Rodriguez and Pasaje Gomez
Tijuana has become a great place for local or small artists from other states to exhibit their work. In many of the downtown streets, you may find urban art, and spaces are made for this type of artwork. One block from Avenida Revolucion, you’ll find Pasaje Rodriguez and Pasaje Gomez. In these two alleys, local artists exhibit their works and sell them. Art events are also held at the Tijuana Art Walk in Pasaje Gomez.
Great cultural centers
Opened in 1982, the Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT) is also known as La Bola (The Ball) due to its giant ball shape. This complex is filled with a variety of halls and exhibitions. A dome with an IMAX screen, the new modern art section called El Cubo (The Cube), a room for shows and the permanent exhibition of the Museo de las Californias (Museum of the Californias) are just some of the activities available. An important cultural festival called Entijuanarte is held on the esplanade during October.
Just ten minutes from CECUT and contrasting in architecture is the Casa de la Cultura. Built in 1930, this neoclassical style house is one of the oldest in the city. Formerly a school, it was built as an identical replica of a house in Yuma, Arizona, only changing the brick color from yellow to red. It’s now a library, art gallery, coffee shop, and multi-purpose rooms with a wide range of cultural activities.
Another museum worth visiting is El Trompo Interactive Museum. This museum is dedicated to the promotion of science and technology mainly for children. Scientific concepts are incorporated into daily life through experimentation, promoting learning in a multi-purpose way. It’s a place for the whole family.
Parque Morelos
This ecological reserve has a large number of activities in nature. Even though it’s an urban park, there are also activities such as go-karts, water slides, boat or train rides, an open-air theater, an aviary, a vivarium, and more than ten gardens, such as the Arabian Garden, Oriental Garden, Grandfather’s Garden, and the Garden of the Presidents. There are also barbecue grills and green areas for picnics. Certain areas can be rented for large events, like birthdays or weddings.
This park has become an important area in Tijuana, cared for and regulated by the government, making it an excellent place to spend time safely with the family.
Malecon Las Playas
Tijuana’s boardwalk was completely remodeled in 2010 and renamed Malecon Las Playas. For four kilometers you have a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. From Parque Azteca to the United States border full of pedestrian bridges, it’s a very pleasant walk, especially at sunset. Bars, restaurants, cafes, as well as many Tijuana hotels, cultural events, and of course, the beach, make for a perfect weekend stroll.
Gourmet Tijuana
Tijuana’s food should be a city tour in itself. While the Caesar salad at the Hotel Cesars is worth trying, it’s not really what defines this city’s food. As in all of Mexico, every city has its favorite taco, and the Tijuana Taco is where the gastronomic tour should begin. This taco is different mainly because of the shape of the corn tortilla, as it is a cone, which makes it more suitable to add the meat, avocado, and spicy chili sauce. Other relevant tacos are the carne asada taco, and tacos of different types of fish. Seafood is very important in Tijuana, as well as in the entire Baja California peninsula, thanks to the variety offered by its location, between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
The border with the United States has its influence in the chili con carne, Mexicanized with more types of chiles. Another important influence is the Mediterranean cuisine, resulting in Baja Med cuisine. This new mix fuses Baja California and Mediterranean cuisine, creating the tempura fish tacos, shrimp with a local cheese sauce, beet carpaccio and risotto with nopales (cactus). This cuisine has become very important internationally and is mainly requested by tourists in all the local restaurants.
