Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! See my Privacy Policy for more information.
“Don’t go to Mexico, it’s so dangerous.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this. So let me set the record straight: I just spent 2 days exploring Baja California with this Baja California Itinerary with my two long time friends, Armando and Sonia, and I have never felt more welcomed, more full, or more in love with a destination. This tired myth needs to retire, and I’m here to help do it. Baja has a stunning coastline, some of the best food I’ve had, I’m talking Michelin rated without the big price tag and after this trip, I completely understand why so many Americans are becoming expats here.
This isn’t my first rodeo with Mexico. I’ve explored the flamingos and bioluminescent beaches of Holbox on the Caribbean side, and eaten my way through Oaxaca‘s mezcal and mole scene, so trust me when I say Baja California easily holds its own as one of the country’s best regions.
If you’re looking for a Baja California itinerary that’s;
- Easy to replicate
- Foodie-focused
- Doable in a single weekend from Southern California
Then this is it!
Plan Your Visit
Use this complete 48 Hours In Baja California: A Foodie Road Trip Itinerary From Long Beach and get all the travel information, tips and recommendations you need to plan your visit or return visit to this must see location.
 Flight |  Stay |  Do |  Drive |
| Skyscanner | Agoda | GetYourGuide | Rentalcars.com |
Baja California Itinerary Table of Contents
Why Visit Baja California
Baja California is the Mexican peninsula that starts right below the California border. Think fresh seafood, Michelin-rated restaurants, world-class wine country in Valle de Guadalupe, and a coastline with views that rival those in California. The big bonus, you get even more for your buck minus those California prices. For example, visiting Napa Valley which I have been to for a bachelorette party trip, as well as doing a solo road trip along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) AKA route 1 in California.
Admittedly, I went in with an outdated idea of what Tijuana would look like, shaped by decades of stereotypes, and left honestly a little embarrassed at how modern, developed, and beautiful it actually is. This is a destination that deserves way more credit than it gets and I am glad that I can now defend it given my visit this summer.
Getting To Baja California From LA / Long Beach
One of the best parts of this trip is how easy it is to get to. We drove from Long Beach, and the drive to the Tijuana border took about 2 hours. Crossing into Mexico is genuinely as simple as driving through, no complicated logistics required, which makes Baja California one of the most accessible international trips for anyone based in Southern California.
Easy ways to get to Baja:
- Rent A Car and drive yourself using Expedia
- Hop on a tour and do the Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego
Baja California Itinerary: Day 1 (Tijuana → Rosarito → Ensenada) Must See
🌮 First Stop: Tacos El Franc, Tijuana
Our first stop was right in TJ at Tacos El Franc, a Michelin-rated taco spot with drive-up service if you’re short on time. We only grabbed a sampler here since we had lunch reservations, but don’t sleep on this spot. It’s proof that some of the best food in Baja is found at a taco stand, not a restaurant.
💆♀️ A Quick Reset In Rosarito
Before lunch, we stopped in Rosarito, a beach resort town known for its surf scene and nightlife, for a massage. I won’t lie, it wasn’t the best massage of my life, but for the price, there were zero hard feelings. Sometimes you just need a little R&R before a full day of eating, and it did the job.
Want to see more in Rosarito?
Explore rosarito & cove/ secret places grounded boat
🦞 Lunch
A Mariscos Feast at La Casa del Pescador is the meal you save room for. La Casa del Pescador served us a full seafood feast: fresh caught lobster, sides, house sauces, tortillas, and a margarita, all on a breezy terrace, for about $35 per person. You will not beat this price-to-quality ratio anywhere. Come hungry, because you will leave full.
🍹 Sunset, Dessert, And Drinks
To maximize our foodie stops, we saved dessert and post-dinner drinks for Los Portales De Gracia in Rosarito. A gorgeous restaurant with live entertainment that’s perfect for catching the sunset. There’s actually a whole strip of excellent restaurants in this area worth exploring if you have more time, including El Faro and Encanto, both known for stunning coastal views and serious Instagram potential in Rosarito.
🛏️ Overnight In Ensenada
We booked accommodation in Ensenada for the night to get an early start the next morning.
Baja California Trip Itinerary: Day 2 (Valle de Guadalupe Wine Country)
🍳 Breakfast At La Cocina de Doña Estela
We woke up early to head to La Cocina de Doña Esthela, a Michelin-rated breakfast spot in Valle de Guadalupe that opens at 8am. We arrived at 9am and it was already packed, and we ended up waiting 45 minutes. My honest tip: go even earlier than 9am, because I suspect the wait only gets longer from there.
The wait was made easy thanks to Rancho San Marcos, right on the same grounds, where we got to see the farm animals that supply the restaurant’s ingredients. Everything from the produce and meat is sourced directly from the ranch, which is part of what makes this place so special.
Portions in Mexico run big, so consider ordering to share. The restaurant is known for its machaca and corn cakes with requesón cheese. I went with the machaca platter that included the birria de borrego, trusting that the quality of the lamb would be excellent, and it did not disappoint. Absolutely worth the wait.
🍷 Wine Tasting In Valle de Guadalupe
Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe is the region’s wine country, and it’s packed with excellent vineyards. My friends, who visit multiple times a year, recommended Vinícola 3 Mujeres, Decantos Vinícola, and Monte Xanic, though they noted Monte Xanic’s tasting packages have gone up in price recently.
We visited Decantos Vinícola, a relaxed spot with crisp wines and beautiful views over the valley.
Combine a wine tasting in Decantos Vinicola with a visit to Casa Friday by booking this Wine tasting Valle de Guadalupe & Casa Frida
🌅 Bar Bura At Cuatro Cuatros
Even stuffed after brunch, we made one more stop: Bar Bura at Cuatro Cuatros in Ensenada. This spot requires a minimum spend per person depending on where you sit, but the views are genuinely gorgeous. You’re shuttled to the restaurant by minibus from the vineyard grounds, and the ride comes with a complimentary drink. Our driver brought the music and kept the energy high the whole way to the top. Bring cash to tip him.
The food is tasty and the drinks are strong. While it is on the pricier side and the menu has reportedly shrunk a bit from what my friends told me. I’d say it’s worth it for the views if visiting around sunset and drinks. Don’t skip the tuna tartare and visit their most reviewed item…their bathrooms which have panoramic Pacific Ocean views.
Discover even more unique experiences in Ensenada using Viator.
Crossing The Border: What You Need To Know
After Bar Bura, we made the 4-hour drive back to Long Beach (which also has its fair share of attractions if you’re like me and visiting here), timing our crossing for nighttime to hopefully avoid crowds. A few things worth knowing before you go:
| Get Mexican car insurance before you cross. There are spots right near the border that sell it, and it runs about $30 for 2 days. |
| Exchange some cash beforehand It was useful to you have pesos on hand. |
| Global Entry makes the return crossing significantly faster If you’re a US citizen or resident, thanks to dedicated car lanes and a shorter entry process. I don’t have Global Entry since I live abroad now, so I walked across instead, which took about an hour. |
| Mexico shopping is a must Mexico is often more affordable and a great spot to pick up medication if you need an extra pharmacy stop. |
Also visiting Long Beach? If so, you’re in luck — Long Beach offers its fair share of attractions for visitors like you and me. For instance, check out some of the most popular options, including whale watching and, of course, a trip to Catalina Island.
Baja California Travel Tips
| Go early to Doña Estela. Arriving even a little later than we did could mean a much longer wait. |
| Order dishes to share. Portions run large across Baja, especially at breakfast spots. |
| Budget for Bar Bura’s minimum spend …if you want the sunset view. |
| Bring cash For tipping shuttle drivers and smaller vendors. |
| Cross back to the US at night After 9pm is a good option on the way back to the US to try to beat border traffic. |
Before any international trip, I always make sure I’m covered in case of unexpected issues abroad.
I use Compensair which can get you set up in minutes.
FAQ About Visiting Baja California
Is Baja California safe to visit?
Yes. Like anywhere, it’s smart to use common travel sense. Tourist areas like Rosarito, Ensenada, and Valle de Guadalupe are visited by both locals and visitors. I felt safe exploring with my two friends.
How long does it take to drive from Long Beach to Tijuana?
From Long Beach, the drive to the Tijuana border took about 2 hours on the highway.
How many days do you need for a Baja California trip?
You can easily do the top highlights in 2 days.
If you have more time, stretch this into 3-4 days adding more food, wine, and coastline stops.
Do I need a car to explore Baja California?
Renting a car (or having a DD driver, shoutout to Armando) gives you the most flexibility, especially for reaching Valle de Guadalupe wineries.
Don’t want to drive? Guided day tours from the border is a solid alternative: Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego
What should I eat in Baja California?
Don’t miss the corn pancakes with requesón at La Cocina de Doña Esthela, lobster at La Casa del Pescador, and tuna tartare at Bar Bura.
Where else in Mexico should I visit?
Mexico is massive and every region feels different. If you loved this Baja itinerary, check out my guides to Holbox for an island escape, or Oaxaca if you want another food-first trip.
Huge thank you to my ride-or-dies, Armando, our designated driver all weekend, and Sonia, who planned this entire trip. Thank you both for the good energy and the memories. I can’t wait to explore more of Baja California with you two soon.
Have you been to Baja California? Drop your favorite spot in the comments, I’m already planning my next trip back.
Rethinking Mexico?
Baja California is just the beginning. If this trip has you rethinking what Mexico travel can look like, go read about my time in Holbox and Oaxaca next.
See even more destination by checking out my Travel Guide Section for tips and recommendations for other cities in North America.
Sign up for my email list to get the latest posts and brand news to your inbox directly.
Discover more from Girl Takes Mundo
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.