text by connie ellig; photos by david hopps

A warm and friendly atmosphere, mild climate and accessibility by land, sea and air have made Ensenada a favorite tourist destination for decades. Located 70 miles south of the international border, the city of Ensenada is a 90-minute drive from San Diego along a modern toll highway with breathtaking views of the Pacific ocean. Nestled on the shore of Bahía de Todos Santos, Ensenada is Mexico’s second most visited port-of-call for major cruise lines and pleasure boats.

The third largest city in the state of Baja California, Ensenada is renowned for its fishing, seafood, canning and wine making industries as well as its excellent restaurants, superb shopping, ample array of services and wide variety of accommodations. In addition to sports and recreational activities, there are many fascinating attractions including historical, cultural and natural points of interest, museums and galleries, wineries and missions.

And if that’s not enough, there’s also an extensive calendar of events to suit every taste! Major annual international events include Carnaval (Mardi Gras), Rosarito to Ensenada Fun Bike Rides, the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, the San Diego-Ensenada Yacht Race, the Estero Beach Volleyball Tournament, the San Miguel Surf Fiesta, and world famous SCORE Baja 500 and Baja 1000 Desert Races. Culinary connoisseurs can savor the International Seafood Fair, Fiestas de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival), the Mushroom Fair, the Paella Festival, and J.D. Hussong and Los Gordos Chili Cookoffs. There’s also the Real del Castillo and La Misión Fiestas, Ensenada Anniversary festivities, Mexican Independence Day Fiestas, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, traditional Christmas posadas, and numerous art expositions, concerts, plays and community events.

Although many visitors are familiar with the city of Ensenada, few realize that it is the seat of government of one of the largest municipalities in the world. The county of Ensenada extends south from La Misión to the 28th parallel (the border with the state of Baja California Sur), and has coastlines on both the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. In addition to cirio-studded desert landscapes and pine-scented forests with snow-capped mountains, the county of Ensenada contains the rich agricultural valley of San Quintín, the historic town of El Rosario, the primitive cave paintings of Cataviña, the remarkably intact missions of San Borja and Santa Gertrudis, the natural hot springs of Puertecitos, and the incredibly beautiful Bahía de los Angeles.

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