CaliforniaBride

I've never done the Mexico thing. But I have a friend visiting this summer who would love to do it. We'll be taking my 11 yo son with us. Now I've heard about across the border for adults but is there anything family/kid oriented?

Lord Lionheart

Go past Tijuana to Ensenada. Tijuana is pretty much, shops, bars and strip clubs. OKay if you want indian style blankets, leather goods, chess sets, velvet paintings, tequila and watching chubby Mexican ladies dance topless.
Ensenada has a fishing excursion ( early 6AM), horse back riding, La Bufadora (blowhole) http://www.bajaquest.com/sidetrips/sidetrip03.htm. Ensenada is set in a cleaner fishing village type setting. Papas & beer and Hussongs cantina are fun bars.
It's about 80 miles south of the border and you will need Mexican insurance when you take your car down there. Make sure you reserve a nice hotel/motel with a pool and good reviews, as many hotels can be poor by American standards. Make sure you take the toll road from Tijuana, better driving conditions and faster than the free Mexican highway.

ironporer

Well, they don't call the area just outside of town "Boy'sTown" for nothin'. LOL

BigDavyG

Actually there's a "Boy'sTown" here - you wouldn't want to get stuck there without your cab fare home

Lord Lionheart

Also, the roadside taco stands are great.
We used to go there for a fishing weekend. After a days fishing, the night would then consist of bar hopping. We wouldn't stop at a restaurant for a sit down meal, but would sustain ourselves by grabbing fish, steak or chicken tacos in between bars and beers. There something about adding the assortment of condiments and salsas on the side of the road that is so......... well Mexican. I'd eat about 10 of them per day on a weekend visit. Probably not the most hygienic food stands I'm sure, but I never got sick

Mallory

We drove from LA to Ensenada about 3 weeks ago, and stayed in a really nice hotel. The drive down is very pretty, but there is a load of poverty. Your son might not like that so much. It's very dry and dusty. Some nice little market type shopping though. I bought a necklace and bracelet which are really nice. We had great weather. Also, lots of clay pots if you need any. You buy Mexican car insurance in San Diego, in a shopping plaza, right before the border - it's not much. Ensenada is a pretty little town, it you stay on the main street. The cruise ships dock there.

CaliforniaBride

Thanks for the info. I looked at Enseneda and so far all the hotels are fully booked. I'm surprised that no one else on expats has taken their children to Mexico?

Lord Lionheart

I feel like it many times, but Elina usually talks me out of it as the Grandparents might start asking questions.

TruBrit

Mallory

we stayed at Estero Beach Resort. It's much prettier than the pic on the web site. It's sort of in an estuary. We could see lions on the sands. Beautiful pool area for yr son.

Lord Lionheart

Lions on the beach and Mexican food I'm not sure the kids will make it back

Mallory

ROFL that was a funny goof. i meant sea lions!

snowbunny

South of here (Texas) and you run into rampant crime and drug problems.

I would DEFINITELY make sure you get insurance and if you really like your car, perhaps renting one (with insurance to take it to Mexico) would be better. Do NOT have a wreck, as it's a criminal offence and you'll be held responsible.

Of course, they may treat tourists differently along the Baja California. Here within driving distance of the border, Americans are seen as giant cash pockets to rob from or hit up for a bribe. This has gone very much downhill in the last ten years.