It recently occurred to me that I actually live closer to Tijuana than Los Angeles, but I am ashamed to admit that I only make it there maybe once a year. So, in efforts to change that, I've put in for a Sentri card and have been going more frequently. I know I've posted a few stories from previous trips, but thought it'd be fun to compile an entry of some favorite spots to eat and drink thus far--from TJ and beyond.
1, Calle Decima 208, Zona Centro, 22000 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
I dream about the café de la olla latte from Das Cortez. Good espresso, paired with a house made simple syrup of piloncillo and cinnamon, makes for the best cinnamon latte of your life. There are several shops throughout the city, and also one in Valle de Guadalupe, but this particular location is just minutes from my favorite market in TJ. And if you time it just right, you can catch the kind man selling breakfast burritos too--pictured is one with crema, corn, rajas and papas.
Av Gobernador Balarezo 366, Davila, 22044 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
This is a great little spot to devour all forms of chilaquiles--and true to its name, they start you off with sweet tamales!
Paseo de los Héroes 9111, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, 22010 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
This is my favorite spot in the city. In fact, it's so great that I did a whole photo essay on it. Just be prepared to pull some aggressive parking maneuvers...
Mar del Nte #115 12, Zona Centro, 22700 Rosarito, B.C., Mexico
From Tijuana, I usually take the toll road down the coast, through Rosarito. No matter how full I am from breakfast, I make sure to grab a Sonora-style taco here. Pure bliss.
7XJ8+M3 Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico
Just minutes south of Tacos El Yaqui, swing a sharp right under the giant green arch, down a dirt road to get to this small fishing village. After parking, walk past the few restaurants to the sand, where you'll find the fishermen selling their daily catch. Pro tip, if you see something you'd like to eat, just purchase it from the fisherman and he'll likely 'have a guy' that will cook it for you to perfection.
Av Adolfo López Mateos 917, Centro, 22800 Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
Further south, a detour and quick snack in Ensenada is almost always next on the list. And no trip to Ensenada would be complete without eating at this spot--ceviche and seafood tostadas!
Carretera Tecate - Ensenada Km 83 Ejido, Francisco Zarco, 22750 Valle de Guadalupe, B.C., Mexico
Traveling onward, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's wine country, is only about 30 minutes from Ensenada. My first stop is usually at Finca Altozano. It's my favorite place to walk around, sit atop giant wine barrels and soak in the essence of the valle. At this point in the day, I'm usually too full to eat, but can manage another café de la olla latte from Das Cortez. I'm not able to drink wine, so please, let's not judge my caffeine intake.
Rancho San Miguel Fraccion A, S/N, 22755 El Porvenir, B.C., Mexico
As the sun begins to plunge toward the horizon, I move on to a meal with sweeping views of entire valle. Take a tour, taste some wine, and sit down to some unpretentious, altogether delicious eats. For more about Decantos, check out this article I shot a couple years back.
Ranchos San Marcos, El Porvenir, Ejido San Marcos, B.C., Mexico
The next morning, I rise early to beat the crowds to breakfast. Doña Esthela's is the essence of life in the valle. Everything is delicious, from the homemade queso and borrego tatemado, to the soul-warming café de la olla.
Well, that concludes this installment of my favorite Baja spots. But I thought it'd be fun to share some images from one of the best mornings in Valle de Guadalupe. It must have been barely 9AM, when my friend and I stumbled out of Doña Esthela's. And there they were, a group of old(er) men, passing around a very expensive bottle of Mezcal, carrying on, singing and enjoying life. We joined in, of course.
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© 2026 Lauren di Matteo
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