Calendar of Events
Event | Description | Date |
---|---|---|
Gray Whale Sighting | Boat tours in the bay to appreciate the journey of these marine mammals. | January to March |
Ensenada Carnival | Traditional celebration in the Port, which gathers more than 100,000 visitors in a week of activities. | February or March |
Estero International Off-Road Closed Circuit | Event that gathers international figures during three days of competition. | April |
Nauti-Copa | Outboard motorboat competition held at the Port Precinct | May |
Summer Fair Expo | Popular event with exhibits, mechanical games and artist presentations. | July |
Festiva Mexicalien la Playa | Traditional event that takes place for the first time in the port. Presentation of artists, competitions, healthy fun. | July |
Grape Harvest Fair | Tasting of regional wines, guided tours, cultural events, to promote the wines of the region. | August |
Tuna Festival | The main tuna canneries and producers present and taste the products of the sea. | August |
International Fish and Seafood Fair | Food and wine tasting, food competition, participation of restaurants from both Californias. | September |
National Festivities | The traditional Fiestas Patrias, where the Independence of Mexico is celebrated. | September |
Fiesta Viva | Expo of companies and services | October |
Baja 2000 | One-time only off-road race: Ensenada-La Paz-Ensenada | November |
For more information on the calendar of events, dates and services please contact the Secretary of Tourism at (6) 170-3022 or the Ensenada Tourism Promotion Fund ( 6) 178-85-78.
Ensenada
Ensenada offers the happy conjunction of the sea, the mountains, the desert, the vineyards and the city.
Sea
35 km southwest of Ensenada is the cape of Punta Banda where the mountains drop directly into the sea. Here the swell has formed a hollow through which the waves explode with tremendous power forcing the water to rise like a marine geyser. The peculiar and loud noise it produces has given it the name of La Bufadora.
At Punta Banda beach near La Bufadora you can observe the sea lions that frequent it.
Vineyards
In the vineyard area northeast of Ensenada in the Valleys of Guadalupe, Calafia and San Antonio de Las Minas you can visit the wineries of Cavas Valmar, Monte Xaniz, LA. Cetto, Domecq among others, or the Santo Tomas Winery in downtown.
Mountains and Deserts
Excursions can be made to the caves with cave paintings and to the astronomical observatory of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir, 100 km from Ensenada, where the highest peak, the Diablo summit, is 3,000 meters high. Among ravines and gorges, the bighorn sheep -a protected species-, the white-tailed deer, numerous species of birds and bats roam. It is therefore a place visited by biologists, astronomers, archaeologists.
City
Cantina Hussongís is a legendary bar frequented by sailors with a festive atmosphere. Hussong's was opened in 1892 and its motto, in view of the clientele, is "The bar that built a town". At that time Ensenada was a small fishing village with 5,000 inhabitants, mostly foreigners like the German Johann Hussong. At the beginning it opened for errands with a limited menu - beer for five cents and whiskey for ten -. The Hussongís has been visited by Marylin Monroe, Steve McQueen and Bing Crosby, among others.
For shopping the city, and especially the first square, gather the main commercial and hotel areas of Ensenada; there are several streets where craft stores from all over Mexico operate; restaurants and alleys where you can also get antiques and curiosities such as common objects from the 40's and 50's. In addition to the great variety offered by the commercial area, marine and seafood handicrafts are made locally, representing a pleasant souvenir of your stay in the port.
For Shopping
In the commercial and hotel zones of Ensenada there are several streets where stores with handicrafts from all over Mexico, restaurants and small streets where you can also find antiques and curiosities such as objects common in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Using materials from sea products, handicrafts are made with abalone shells.
For more information on locations, prices and services please contact the Secretary of Tourism at (6) 170-3022 or the Fondo Mixto de Promoción Turística de Ensenada (6) 178-85-78.
Attractive | Address | Remarks |
---|---|---|
La Bufadora | Road to La Bufadora, 23 miles south of Ensenada | Marine show on the cliff projecting water jets at impressive heights. |
Ojos Negros Valley | Highway to San Felipe, 34 miles east of Ensenada | Livestock and agricultural valley, famous for its ruins and vestiges from the beginning of the century. |
Guadalupe Valley and Calafia Valley (vineyards) | Highway to Tecate, 30 miles northeast of Ensenada | Wine region par excellence; home of the best national and international vintages. |
San Antonio de las Minas | Tecate Highway, 24 miles northwest of Ensenada | Wine region par excellence, home of the best national and international vintages. |
Wineries | Location | Phone |
---|---|---|
Santo Tomás Winery | Miramar and 6th St. No. 637. | (646) 178-33-33 (646) 174-08-38 |
Chateau Camou | Guadalupe Valley | (646) 177-33-03 (646) 176-06-76 |
Mount Xanic | Guadalupe Valley | (646) 174-61-55 (646) 174-68-48 |
Cavas Valmar | Amber and no. Riveroll 950 | (646) 178-64-05 (646) 174-24-69 |
L.A. Cetto Wines | Guadalupe Valley | (646) 177-23-52 (646) 177-37-63 |
Domecq House | Calafia Valley | (646) 155-22-54 (646) 155-23-33 |
Old buildings | Location | Phone |
---|---|---|
Ensenada Riviera Convention Center Ex-Hotel Riviera de Ensenada | Coastal Blvd. and Riviera Ave. | (646) 176-43-10 (646) 176-42-33 |
Regional Historical Museum (Ex-jail) | Gastélum s/n, Zona Centro | (646) 178-25-31 |
Science Museum | Obregón and 14th Street | (646) 178-89-91 |
Bodegas de Sto. Tomas Cultural Center | Miramar between 6 and 7 | (646) 178-25-09 |