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Day Trippin’ to Tijuana

12.16.11

Tell someone that you just spent an afternoon in Tijuana and know that you’ll be scolded for doing something unsafe and crazy. But just last week, we did just that and were pleasantly surprised to find that our Tijuana experience wasn’t dangerous at all. (Of course, random violence can happen anywhere, just watch the news for a few minutes.)

Cups in La Jolla

We recommend that on our way down to TJ, you stop at Cups in La Jolla for some excellent gluten-free and organic cupcakes, a glass of strawberry milk on tap (no really, it’s to die for) and espresso drinks. Cups is a cute organic cupcakery and lounge that also offers catering and culinary classes.

Horchata in Tijuana

Or stop by the mod Burger Lounge, a popular hamburger joint with six locations in the San Diego that’s committed to serving premium burgers made from grass-fed beef; and tasty fries, onion rings, shakes and salads—even flavorful quinoa burgers for vegetarians.

It’s certainly easy to dismiss Tijuana as a border town with a bad rap, but we like to think of it as a place to travel internationally to in a short amount of time. We found some hidden treasures.

Pastries in Tijuana

Start the day off in downtown Tijuana near Avenida Revolucion, where Mexican crafts shops abound. It’s a tourist district, but you’ll find no shortage of inexpensive jewelry, blankets, baskets, pottery and leather goods in stores.

Tijuana open air market

We liked the Silver Mine (1181-B Avenida Revolución) filled with silver jewelry from Taxco as well as turquoise, amber, Mexican fire opal, and traditional Mexican masks made of clay, wood and stone.

Silver Mine in Tijuana

Definitely check out the open air market for food lovers, Mercado Hidalgo (Boulevard Sanchez Taboada and Avenida Independencia ), where locals buy kitchenware, sweets, spices, dried chilies, produce, herbs, fresh tortillas and deep fried chicharrones and more; and the Mercado de Artesanías (Ocampo and Negrete Streets ), a huge crafts market for finding pottery, blown glass, carved furniture, handmade clothes and locally made clay ware.

Housewares from Tijuana market

We were blown away at how well you can eat for very little money. One of the first stops was Tacos El Gordo (Constitución 992 Centro), with bright red tiles known for its carne asada tacos. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also go for sesos (beef brain) or lengua (beef tongue) tacos, or the spicy tacos adobada that come right off the trompa (vertical spit) smothered in salsa verde and costing no more than a few dollars for large portions.

El Gordo tacos in Tijuana

We were also in taco nirvana at San Manuelito-Carnecerita (Niños Heroes 1024 Centro), where you can order five carnitas tacos with chopped onions, fresh salsa and two drinks for just five bucks. Lastly, go to Tacos El Poblano (7813 Boulevard Diaz Ordaz)) for carne asada taco perfection. The meat is tucked in two corn tortillas and served with a creamy avocado Baja-style guacamole, with diced onions. The taqueria is known for its three cuts of choice meats with a proprietary blend of seasoning grilled over an open flame—tacos are juicy and flavorful.

Manuelito tacos in Tijuana

Ok, so now you’re full. You picked up some great silver jewelry to take home as gifts, a handmade leather bag, and maybe some Mexican jumping beans for the kids. Que bueno.

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Day Trippin’ to Tijuana

12.16.11

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