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From fish tacos at Tacos El Gordo food stand in Tijuana to the Merlot Glazed Tuna at The Restaurant at Las Ventanas Resort in San José del Cabo, the peninsula of Baja Mexico is 55,360 square miles of seafood paradise.
The fish you eat in Ensenada, Baja's biggest seaport, is literally right off the boat. And, with almost all of Mexico's table wines produced in the region, you could easily pair your fish with a delicious Sauvignon Blanc from a local winery that you may have just toured. Of course, Ensenada is also the birthplace of the beloved Baja fish taco. That alone makes it worth the trip!
Here’s why Ensenada is a mandatory stop on
any seafood tour of Baja:
The Outdoor Markets
Outdoor markets are the best way to get the freshest seafood, unless you catch it yourself. Open-air stalls at The Mercado de Mariscos in Ensenada sell everything from shrimp to yellowtail to octopus fresh off the fishing boats docked nearby. Some local restaurants will even cook up your purchase for you.
The Wineries
Nothing brings out the flavor of a great piece of fish like the perfect glass of wine. Since 90% of Mexico’s table wines are grown and bottled along Ensenada’s wine route, you’ll find plenty of them. And, the wineries are always happy to give you a free taste.
Where to eat like a local in Ensenada:
Mi Ranchito El Fenix
Find the real deal in Baja shrimp tacos — tempura batter-fried filet of dogfish in a warm tortilla with fresh and pickled veggies, red and green salsa, and crema agria.
Punto Morro
Offers spectacular food and views of the waves crashing against the rocky coast. Go for the ceviche or seared yellowfin tuna.
Los Primos
A great family seafood spot with very reasonable prices.
What to do when you’re not eating:
Do the "canopy tour" in the "Las Cañadas."
Stroll along Ensenada Bay and watch for dolphins and sea lions.
Windsurf on San Miguel’s black sand beaches.
Take a winery walking tour.
Where to stay:
Hotel Coral & Marina
Great location right on the bay with huge rooms.
Casa Natalie Resort
A little pricey for Ensenada, but worth it for the unbelievable ocean views.
Estero Beach Resort
Great waterfront location with beautiful grounds.
Want the fresh taste of Ensenada without all the traveling?
Check your local wine shop for a bottle of Bodegas de Santo Tomas wine and pair it with Sea Cuisine® Honey Chipotle Salmon.
From fish tacos at Tacos El Gordo food stand in Tijuana to the Merlot Glazed Tuna at The Restaurant at Las Ventanas Resort in San José del Cabo, the peninsula of Baja Mexico is 55,360 square miles of seafood paradise.
The Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez offer such a ridiculous abundance and variety of seafood, the fish practically leap into the boats. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even catch your own dinner on a sport-fishing adventure.
THE LOCAL CATCH:
THE LOCAL FLAVOR
The variety, quality, and freshness of the seafood is unmatched. But, it’s the Baja flavor that makes it unforgettable. The spicier the better! Chipotle, Ancho chile powder, garlic, onion, Mexican oregano, cumin, and fresh-squeezed lime are must-haves in every kitchen.
But, since you can’t eat seafood every minute of the day…
…no matter how desperately you try, you can always go whale-watching off the Pacific coast, get lost in the vineyards of Ensenada, party at Carnaval in La Paz, or just sip margaritas by the Sea of Cortez as George Clooney’s latest arm candy.
So, when should you go? With perfectly sunny weather year-round, any time is a good time to eat, play, and party your way through Baja. Like now!
Just over the border from San Diego, there’s no denying that Tijuana is a party city. But, Baja’s wild child is also bursting with sophisticated culture, commerce and cuisine. It’s also the city that invented Caesar salad. Who knew?
So what makes Tijuana a standout seafood spot?
Food Stands
Believe it or not, some of the freshest, best-tasting food you will ever eat costs less than $2 and comes from rundown little sheds in back alleys and car washes in cities like Tijuana and nearby Rosarito. To find the best stands, follow the locals, not the tourists. Top picks:
Tacos El Gordo
Serving up to 4,000 tacos a day, this is the king of Tijuana's taco stands.
Wash Mobile Tortas
Not just the best sandwich you’ll ever eat at a car wash. This stand has the best sandwich you’ll ever eat, period.
Puerto Nuevo Lobster
Just a quick drive from Tijuana is the tiny fishing village of Puerto Nuevo, where most restaurants offer only one meal — locally caught Pacific spiney lobster deep-fried in lard and served with beans, rice, flour tortillas, chips, and salsa. Wow!
If you can’t make it to Puerto Nuevo, try this recipe at home:
Puerto Nuevo Lobster
Ingredients
Preparation
Enjoy your Puerto Nuevo Lobsters with frijoles, rice, tortillas, lime, and salsas!
Where to eat like a local in Tijuana:
Cien Años
The hottest high-end restaurant in Tijuana. Don’t even think about going without a reservation.
La Escondida
Try the chicken mole or tequila shrimp in this old-time hacienda.
What to do when you’re not eating:
