Things To Do In Ensenada

-- The oldest bar in the Californias, Hussong’s was originally a stagecoach stop built by its German founder Johan Hussong. Order a cold cerveza and imagine the cast of characters who have sidled up to this bar. On big weekends like the Ensenada Race, Hussongs can be a crazy, wild place complete with mariachis, dancin’ fools and a lot of fun. Or like the Monday after during the Prayer Meeting, a great spot to reflect on your life, past and future.

-- The valleys outside Ensenada have an excellent climate for grape growing and a large number of wineries are getting attention in the wine world. Many offer tours and tastings. During the summer, many festivals are held, meaning large parties, and include food, wine, music and dancing!

BODEGAS DE SANTO TOMAS
Telephone 011-52 (617) 78-3333
Avenida Miramar #666, Ensenada
Baja’s oldest winery, daily tours available

CASA VALMAR WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (617) 8-6405

L.A. CETTO WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (668)5-4450.
Located in Guadalupe Valley,
outside of Ensenada

MONTE XANIC WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (617) 8-3146.
Located in Guadalupe Valley,
outside of Ensenada CASA PEDRO WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (662) 3-2390
Located outside Ensenada in Guadalupe Valley
CHATEAU CAMOU
Telephone 011-52 (617) 7-2221

MOGAR BADAN WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (617) 7-1484

SAN ANTONIO WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (617) 8-3939

SANTO TOMAS WINERY TASTING ROOM
Telephone 011-52 (617) 8-3333.
Located in downtown Ensenada.

--Todos Santos Bay and the outer waters off Ensenada teem with fish. The island of Todo Santos to the west, the rocky shoreline of Punta Banda to the southwest, the flat, sandy bottoms of Estero to the south and the multitude of kelp beds provide an ideal home for both indigenious and migratory fish. During the summer you can expect to catch Yellowtail, Bonito, Barracuda, White Sea Bass, and Sand Bass, within 10 miles of Juanito’s Marina. Bottom fish are plentiful all year and include Halibut, Rock Cod, Ling Cod, Perch, Sheephead and White Fish.

There are a number of ways to go fishing out of Ensenada Harbor and you’ll find charters to suit most budgets. With a wide selection of boats and knowledgeable skippers, you’ll always catch fish.

--During the 1930’s, this was the premier casino on the west coast of the Americas.  Stunning period architecture and beautiful gardens with monuments depicting the history of Baja.  Not to be missed is the evolving Museum of History recreating the early dasys of the Baja California colonization, Indian cultures and Missionary Period. Open 9AM-5PM Tues.-Sunday. Blvd. Lázaro Cárdenas y Av. Riviera, Tel 76-4310 / 76-4233, 77-0594.

-- The 185 Constitution National Park is in the Sierra de Juárez, mountain range, approximately 45 miles east of Ensenada. Within its 5,009 hectares (12,400 acres), is one of interior Baja California’s few semi-permanent bodies of water, Laguna Hanson. Forests are only a part of the park’s natural resources. Chaparral zones, boulder-studded peaks, grassymeadows and the lake itself contribute to a rich ecosystem supportive of many kinds of plants and animals life. Hanson Lagoon is an important stopover for certain migratory birds.

The park shelters at least 80 spicies of mammals, various reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Forty-four species of birds, including both residents and migrants have been spotted in the Park. Mammals include deer, coyote, bobcat, mountain lions, gray fox and rabbits. Common birds include the pinyion jay, the acorn woodpecker, two species of quail, several species of hawks and various ducks.

The park is an ideal place for ecotourism, camping, walking, jogging, mountain-bike ride, horseback riding, admiring the beauty of nature, its flora, fauna, waterfalls and the lagoon itself.

-- This marine geyser is considered as the second highest of the world, after Hawaii. Other blowholes exist in Australia, Tahiti and one in Japan, but Japan’s is artificial. La Bufadora is the most spectacular of all of them, because it’s situated on a rocky inlet near the tip of the ruggedly beautiful Punta Banda peninsula. Its tremendous roar seems to come from a huge angry animal at bay. The blowhole explodes upwards sometimes as high as 80 ft. above sea level, producing a tremendous sound. A deep underwater canyon leads to the cave in the cliff, gouged out over aeons of time by pounding surf. The surge of heavy ocean swells is channeled through the canyon and forced beneath the surface into the narrow, tunnel-like entrance of the cave.

-- This beautiful, island-studded bay is a prime spot for all kinds of aquatic activities, including windsurfing, kayaking and whale-watching. The drive to Bahia de Los Angeles is equally stunning. Spectacular desert landscapes and plants line the way from San Quintin to the Sea of Cortez.   

Avenida Lopez Mateos, Ensenada
Main shopping street lined with shops selling everything from straw hats to wood carvings.

Cultural Center of Ensenada, Ensenada
Housed in an old casino, this center contains space to be rented out for public events, but also has a natural history museum that can be seen for US$1.

Avenida Ruiz, Ensenada
This street is lined with some of the more refined shops and cafes.

Catavina Rock Paintings (Las Pintas), Ensenada

Plaza Civica, Ensenada
Ensenada’s city center containing the busts of three historical figures: Benito Juarez, Miguel Hidalgo and Venustiano Carranza.

Aduana Maritima, Ensenada
The oldest public building in Baja now serves as the exhibit space for the National Institute of Anthropology and History.

First Street, Ensenada
This street is lined with shops selling curio, with many items costing under $5.
Attraction type: Street

The Fish Market, Ensenada
Buy some fresh fish and some tacos at this open-air market.

Caracol, Ensenada
Ensenada’s museum of natural science is best known for its organized whale-sighting trips.