Things to do in Valle de Guadalupe Beyond Wine (Copy)

Is the Valle de Guadalupe Open?

Yes, the Valle de Guadalupe is open. Hotels and Restaurants have changed their seating operations and made investments for covid. Many take reservations, so you will want to call ahead.

Things to do in Valle de Guadalupe Beyond Wine and Food

Updated 5/2021

In my 10 years living and working in Ensenada as an Expat, I have grown to love escapes to the Valle. I have come to love the Valle de Guadalupe for many things I already love, which don’t tend to be wine and fine dining, so I wanted to offer a few ideas to diversify your options.

Craft, Artesanal Beer. Yes, Ensenada has a hoping microbrew scene and you can find some in the Valle de Guadalupe. Check out Wendlant’s brewery and tasting room for a sunset beer. It is on the ocean just at the end of the D3 highway that goes through the Valle.

Kombucha in Valle De Guadalupe: My friend Todd opened a cool little place with fresh Kambucha and some tasty meats in San Antonio de las Minas, on the right straight back from the stoplight.

One of my coolest massage clients, Kino has Big Mountain Kombucha. The band leader with a reggae image lives a wild and healthy life.

Bike Ride:

Several of the resorts have bike ride options: Hotel Boutique and La Tierra have those options, allowing you to use their bikes to pedal around on the dirt roads and visit local wineries. It’s fun. As for biking on the roads, I don’t recommend it. Although the highway is well paved, and the shoulder is large in some areas, traffic is not accustomed to respecting bikes. Usually, you only see road bikers with a lead and follow vehicle, which seems like a lot of hassle to coordinate for me. And on the weekend the one-lane roads get backed up when biking groups are riding.

Mountain biking or gavel biking is AWESOME in the Ensenada area. Bring your own gear.

Zipline:

Cuatros cuatros resort has Desert Nest Zipline. They are not quite as big and awesome as Las Canadas 40min south of Ensenada but are much closer.

Hot Air Balloon Ride:

Valle is beautiful, why not get a new perspective.

Animal Life for the Kid in You

Ranch life in Valle de Guadalupe has a couple of options for animal viewing or petting.

The Valle features a kids zoo ‘Zoologico Parque del Niño’. It’s on the Porvenir side of the Valle.

And many other places have random ranch animals. My favorite is Casa Vieja, with goats that love to be rubbed, and ostriches.

And you may see road runners on the unpaved roads.

Hike to Waterfall/ hot springs

Still getting info for closer options. El Salto, 20 min north on road to La Mision is an interesting 30min walk hike to along canyon floor to rocky gorge, with an option for a steep uphill section of the hike. Camping options are available too.

Cheese tasting in Valle de Guadalupe

The cheese room in San Antonio Las Minas has a sampling of cheeses, jams, and such. Fun little stop and cheese wine combos are legendary to melt the fat of cheese with the acidity of the wine. Check out fresh apple pie in the cafe a couple of stores down.

Wine museum:

Valle de Guadalupe has a wine museum that is new and well run. It has great displays on the history of the region and winemaking. However, they have restricted hours during covid.

Get your Art on

Tres Mujeres has a great art cave. The owner Yvette is a ceramic artist.

My friend Jo Ann Knox runs a nice art collectivo in the rustic and authentic Casa Vieja. Several artists are on display/ for sale with a couple of food options. Find them by navigating to Cava VinTango near San Antonio Las Minas.

The adobe-style of the house and sprawling restaurant, rusty tractor, is a treat to meander around.

Live music in the Valle de Guadalupe is available, and you will have to search and call ahead. Check out Brent at JazzLite, he also runs the coffee cart at the highway exit for Maglen Guru Resort. Valle Girl Wines has a Sunday afternoon outdoor concert. Ochentos Pizza has Saturday night bands and is actually one of my favorite spots.

For hip electronic music, check out Casa Frida’s DJ sets and Agua de Vid. Saturday nights my buddy and Las Vegas-based DJ Arron Feld has been playing around the Valle this spring. Check his facebook for when he is playing.

Yoga and Pilates

Yes, Luna de Sol has some yoga offerings at Hotel Boutique. Michelle is a gentle and authentic soul. They are still in construction on the wellness center.

For private yoga classes in your rental, Ensenada Tours and Excursions can arrange a teacher, about $8-10 USD a person.

Spa Experiences in Valle

Most of the physical Spas are closed for Covid. However, there are mobile massage options that allow you to stay in your amazing rental and request a massage and facial at your place. And take the best nap ever after, without driving. Valle Mobile Spa offers packages for couples and groups from $99usd a person in Valle.

ATV Tours in Valle de Gudalupe

El Cielo has run some ATV Tours, however, it is unclear if nonguests can access them.

Horseback riding:

Many places have horseback riding, Hotel Boutique has good options. For a private guide, Contact Rosabella in Valle de Guadalupe, Marty Harriman in La Mision, or Chrystal B at Desert Trails south of Ensenada near La Bufadora.

The Valle runs on Baja Time, so for a larger, group with a budget, you may want to use a travel concierge

Fun Things to do in Ensenada While on Cruise Shore Day (Copy)

A Local’s Tips On Things to do In Ensenada Downtown near Cruiseport

Looking for Quirky things to do in Ensenada while on a cruise or just hanging around downtown? Here are 8 almost free fun ideas. You could always do Excursions, but try these ideas near cruise port and budget-oriented. If you do 1-5 in order, it’s a walkable journey from cruise port where carnival and others dock.

1) Capone’s Hideout 2) Funky Furniture 3) Fresh Churro 4) Decorate Ensenada with US Dollar Bill 5) Get Mexifornia DL 6) Mediation Gardens 7) Hipster Collection of shops 8) Art Museum

Please let me know if any of this info needs updating - things are always changing here and I hope to give accurate, updated info so others can enjoy things to do here in Ensenada.

Riviera Cultural Center by Al Capone and Birthplace of Maragrita!?

1) Explore Riviera Cultural Center. Built by Al Capone as a casino, this building and grounds has great architecture, mini museum and well kept public gardens. Also hidden Bar Andaluz inside that claims to have invented the Margarita?? . . . .and check out that cool wall mural and public green gardens are best in town. To get there, it’s right off the cruise ship, keep walking straight and huge white building. It is free to walk around, and the museum has a small fee.

As a bonus on Sundays afternoons at 4pm (Carnival Imagination is in), there is group dancing by Golden Agers - 3pm and after they dance to latin and a few american oldies. Everyone dance with anyone who asks, so if you are a dancer and would like go move a bit it’s a fun option. I love it because I get to dance and it is a day even, it doesn’t kill my sleep schedule.

Funky Mexican Style Art Furniture

2) Funky design and art at Fausto Polanco Furniture store. This designer-art-furniture place has some cool stuff to browse from the Mexican style. Some of it makes me laugh, some of it inspires new home ideas. On the quiet end of La Primera on corner just over the river/bridge. Redecorating is always fun to get new ideas for your living space.

This shop has a few other locations in Rosarito and around mexico.

Now That’s a Churro!

3) Eat fresh Churro. Churros are the Mexican equivalent of Krispy Creme. When they are fresh - Amazing crispy sweetness for your mouth. I love churro shop on La Primera next to Rey del Sol. It’s literally a tiny window sandwiched between bigger businesses.

As an alternative, next to Roma pharmacy on Three Head’s Park, there is a Churro guy that is good too. You should see the horse carriages there.

Leave your mark on Ensenada - Post $1 Bill.

4) Post dollar bill in Restaurante Corralito with a message. You pick the message! Could be a wish or a grievance. So it will cost you a $1 or $2. But then you can come back next year and check on the status. It’s kinda like leaving your mark, but not in a tree carving. And you are in Mexico, so defacing government property of $1 is not punishable by Uncle Sam.

El Corralito has a fun atmosphere and pretty good with some mexcian dishes and some standard plates as well.

Mexifornia Driver’s License!

5) Get a Mexifornia Driver’s Liscense. What better way to confuse your pals than with a weird souvenir from Ensenada. Opps, again not entirely free. Price is $10 and takes Ten Minutes inside Rudy’s Curios, Across from McDonalds on La Primera. Fireworks available too . . .

This place - Rudy’s Curios - is a non descript souvenir place. There are about 10 of theses places along the street selling about the same inventory of oddities, souvenirs, and such. The kind of stuff that is good for gifts for my 5 year old neices that are soo excited to get a gift, and it can be forgotten or destroyed in 5 months.

I will post my Shopping ideas here:

Keiki Statue and Ecological Park for city views

6) Walk/Hike up to Keiki ecological Park offers great views of the city, a botanical garden and statue of Princess Tara, a Buddhist sculpture gifted from Nepal in 80s. You will have to walk here through safe neighborhoods. It is 13 blocks back from Papas and Beer end of La Primera. You could cab it too and spend a few pesos. It is near best massage studio in Ensenada (mine) and best turkish coffee as well at Cocina Azzi.

The gardens have a variety of labelled plants that are endimic to our semi arid environment. Currently on Sundays once a month, they host a local organic farmers/ craft market. It’s worth a visit if you are tired of the hubub of La Primera.

If you take the walk, you will also pass a nice park; Parque Revolucion on Sexta and Obregon. It’s an urban park with huge shade trees, some statues, playground, and authentic local street food - burritos, tortas, random sweets and coffee. On Sundays it’s pretty lively with locals with their kids. Summer time has public dancing occasionally.

7) Hipster Collection of Food and Lifestyle: Villa Mexicana is a revitalized collection of hip shops just behind La Primera. As a cruiser, the entrance is off the beaten path, but’s is a nice slice of local life compared to La Primera. I recommend it.

You will find cool little bakeries, cigar and wine shops, ceviche places, juice bar, several restaurants, and all in an nice architectural area built for outdoor walking. I like roaming the alley ways seeing whats open and new. The area is not new so it has a classic feel, but many of shops are new so I like it. Since it is not built for toursim like La Primera, the people are chillax and things are quieter. Yes, it is 100% safe.

The new places are opened with style, modern marketing and quality. That is to say, it’s not the arguabley more authentic, dusty local panaderia built 35 years ago.

To get there for this coolish thing to do, it is bordered on four sides by Riveroll, Alvarado, La Primera, and Segundo. You can’t enter from Primera since there are solid shops, and you can’t drive in. Here is are walking directions from cruiseport

I will be posting Things to do with Artsy, Kids, Walking . .. . . and will link when those are written;)

8) CE Arte State Museum I always appreciate a little extra art in my life, especially when it’s free. I actually bought my a piece from the Carnival Art Gallery during my curise, but mostly because the hype and salesmanship overtook me, lol. For a more relaxed art museum, take 2 block walk from the boat to CE Arte. It’s free with two large exhibition rooms, rotating exhibits. It has a nice cafe with outdoor seating and bookstore, and an outdoor statue in the center of huge plaza. There is a performance space and different activities, but usually in evening.

Check Facebook here for events and location:

Jesse Atkinson is an Expat from Wisconsin, and has lived in Ensenada since 2011, building life Ensenada Massage and raising his Dog, Tina.

9 Best Tacos in Ensenada Near port

Best Taco Food Stops Near Downtown

A great travel experience should include great food, and by food, I mean tacos! Ensenada has some superb treats of street tacos and sit down dining experiences They are a bit hard to find, so. Massage clients and cruise excursion groups often ask for my local recommendations. Each recommendation below has links so you can handily track them down and plot your own food quest.

1) Best Fish Taco in Ensenada on Open Flame

Yiyo’s taco cart food stand has awesome fish tacos. It’s a cool place on Beachfront Playa Hermosa, so you can sit in front of the beach and chow down, and take a stroll before or after. Each day he sets up a taco marisco stand. But the fish is not deep-fried, it is on steel grill with open flame. Fish is tender and ceviches are fresh. Awesomely, the firewood is plywood cut-outs of guitars, probably harvested from the local Fender factory. It’s a well-run food stand, so very clean and several employees there. He is a cool guy, almost always there and has been there since I started visiting 8 years ago, and he keeps the local parking lot semi-clean for local surfers.

The shrimp cocktails are great too, but not unique like his open flame fish taco.

It is walkable from Cruiseport if you are up for 1/2 mile on street and 1/4 mile on the beach. The first 1/2 mile is on the sidewalk in front of marine base and cement factory, then you can walk along the beach. Or just uber there.

2) Best Authentic Mexican: Portrero Viejo

For travelers wanting Mexican food, this is great option, just off La Primera in trending Villa Mexican. It is tucked away so not so much traffic and the decor and menu still caters to locals. Prices are great.

I wouldn’t expect a polished tourist experience, but food and atmosphere is a nice change. Gorditas, birria, many classic Mexcian dishes made with care.

And there is a mariscos place next door if you need that in your diet.

3) Healthy Vegetarian: Falafel Comida Israeli

Killer fresh, simple, healthy, lovely flavors. Outdoorish seating and low prices. On Costero Walkable for cruisers and it’s on my way home from Playa Hermosa, so it’s my go to post-beach/swim/surf spot.

Next door is a cool local artist and some other local shops, including the money exchange place closest to the boat. I will post more vegetarian/ vegan options soon.

Legit Israel Falafel Just Off Ship

4) Margaritas at Bar Andaluz:

Margarita Margarita. Say it 5 times fast. The clean, gardens and grounds of Riveria make this place memorable, fireplace in the corner, mexican tile work make a drink and wandering conversation a pleasant experience. And you can get your selfie at the birthplace of the margarita - do I believe it? I like this place with old school Mexican drinks and a fireplace for the atmosphere. Tucked inside the Riviera, it is very close to the cruise port, so easy to start/end walking journey here. The public gardens are nicely maintained there is a small museum in the Rivera cultural center.

Birthplace of Margarita? Maybe . . . .

5) Muelle 3 on Harbor

Ensenada is known for the freshness of the seafood. For sit down sea food, I gotta go with Mulle 3 for it’s high quality and prime location on the waterfront. The walk to arrive is nice, sunset on a warm day, and a new art installation there where the small fishing boats depart. There is often a wait, but there is plenty to see and people watching is great.

6) Churros:

As I mentioned in my quirky cheap things here, Fresh churros are better - much better - than fresh Krispy Kreme. Get you sugar rush on! Try them stuffed with cajeta - carmel.

7) Best Meat Tacos: El Paisa

on 10th and 20 de Noviembre is my local taco hang out and off la Primera, but worth it. I think the thick corn tortillas are the secret to it’s deliciousness. Always full. Tuesday’s closed. Handy ice cream joint next door for when you want local sweet. When I relax my healthy plant-based food habit, I stop here for a meat bing. I think the secret is the corn tortillas, hand made.

Also check out the speed of the taco assembly operation. The carne asada guy is amazing with speed and assembly of tacos. The ladies in the back assemble other elements like onions, radishes, and tortas. Tacos are about a $1 each!

Tacos El Paisano is Local favorite

8) Best Crispy Fish tacos

with a cool atmosphere of fun people and sidewalk seating available. Bullo’s Place California Bar Fish B Taco on Primera easy option. It’s got a tourist flair, but it’s well done, great service and clean as a whistle.

Prices are slightly more than El Paisa since it is one first street tourist district. But, with the location, there is no need to wander far. Several beer and taco packages daily to reduce your decision fatigue. My friend has a massage parlor next door, and it’s okay for budget shoppers if you want a quality experience - discover our massages and facials. Reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Facebook, and Google rank us higher.

Bullos Fish Tacos next to cheap massage

9) Lunch under Magnolia Trees: Huitlacoche Vegan Taco

Enjoy a walk in the park and outdoor dining at Boules with cool ceramic plates made by local artists, an interesting mix of binational people. They have great food and I love the vegetarian options and huitlacoche vegetarian tacos.

The atmosphere is a huge wooden deck with magnolia trees and vines all around. It is located 5 blocks off La Primera, so cruisers don’t stumble in by mistake. This is my favorite place to relax and feel the lively conversation of happy binational people dining. Pleasant music, a variety of interesting international and vegetarian foods like artichoke heart appetizers. The huitlacoche tacos are totally unique and if you have never had moldy corn treat, it is disgusting and tasty at the same time. Try it.

Tues - Sat 2 pm and after, usually. It is a 6 block walk from La Primera, 4 blocks to La Paisa Meat Tacos listed above.

Boules Under Magnolia Trees

It is also dog-friendly, and with outdoor sitting, cigar smoking is welcome. It is locally owned by Javi, who is often there to greet folks. The entrance is a door through a wall on 5th, or through the wine store that is adjacent to it. If you want a bottle of local wine, as a souvenir, they have a good selection.

Bonus: Best Ensenada Tacos Castillo and La Guerrerense

I love La Guerrerense, and it is priced for travelers at about 2x local prices, but the quality and diversity of flavors make it worth it. Anthony Bourdain’s visit made it semi-famous, RIP AB. Tacos Fenix never impressed me that much so I am putting Tacos Castillo on my list. They have a new stand and super hygienic.

Bonus food item: Smoked Tuna or Marlin at Mercado Negro

The Mercado Negro fresh fish market along the harbor has tasty smoked tuna and smoked marlin at about 200mn or 10$ a kilo. I love it because the price is budget-friendly and the flavor is awesome! And since it is already cooked and smoked, it doesn’t go bad in the fridge and travels well in a couple of plastic bags. You will have stinky breath, of course.

Other fresh seafood is fun to look at and great prices. I sometimes love some white wine garlic sauteed mussels. If you buy, I suggest you cook it the same day since freshness standards vary by the day and vendor. There are a bunch of fish taco places there just above the market. They are all clean and won’t cause stomach issues.

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Jesse is full time resident of Ensenada since 2011 and Baja since 2009. As owner of Ensenada Massage and Valle Mobile Spa, he does massage, and helps travelers enjoy Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe, the gem of the Pacific. Bio here.