SCORE Journal

FALL IN LOVE WITH ENSENADA IT TAKES NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS Ensenada is one of the most attractive municipalities in Baja California, a unique destination of beaches, magnificent cliffs, dark stone hills, wine valleys and great deserts that make it a favorite of food, off-road racing and nature lovers. The route to reach this paradise begins on the scenic highway from Tijuana to Ensenada, a wonderful journey of one hour and twenty minutes to enjoy the sunrise, the enchanting blue of the Pacific Ocean and its hypnotic movement of waves that make this road the "Sixth World Surfing Reserve". When you arrive in Ensenada you will find a happy, warm metropolis with classic glimpses and cozy places to stay. The first experience you should enjoy is the food; Start on First Street, where you will find street stalls called "Carretas" offering aguachiles, cocktails, ceviche tostadas of various fresh fish and seafood such as tuna, cod, shrimp, octopus, scallops, sea urchins, clams, crabs, snails, mussels and oysters. The three most iconic "Carretas" are: La Guerrerense, Mariscos El Güero and El Gordito. Ensenada was nominated in 2015 as a Creative City by UNESCO for its gastronomy. After this first gastronomic experience, we invite you to visit the Malecon with its beautiful views over the Pacific Ocean. It is the heart of the port and arrival point for tourist cruises; here visitors can enjoy restaurants, cafes, bars, craft shops and clothes, street stalls and the black market where the catch of the day is offered, a place full of colors and flavors. Ensenada style fish tacos are an original local recipe that you can choose for lunch. It is a piece of weathered fish, with a garnish of chopped cabbage, a touch of mayonnaise, lemon, salt, corn tortillas and the famous flag sauce made of tomato, onion and Serrano pepper. This delicious dish is served in Tacos El Fénix, Tacos Marco Antonio and La Floresta. Your next destination is the Social, Civic and Cultural Center “Riviera de Ensenada”, where you will enjoy a museum, beautiful gardens, a craft shop and a bar. But not just any bar, here the genuine margarita cocktail has been created, this drink that blends tequila, ice and lemon and served in a glass with salt rim. In this complex there is also Hussong's, one of the oldest “Cantinas” in the country, decorated in a pure western style and live music that will surprise you. To end the day with a fantastic dinner, you should certainly visit the "Manzanilla Restaurant" where chef Benito Molina and chef Solange Muris will happily pamper you. On the second day, the options are various, you can choose an experience of nature. Ensenada has a wonderful protected natural area, “El Parque Nacional Constitución de 1857”, an ideal place to practice outdoor activities in a forest of Jeffrey pines, pinyon trees and shrubs known as Manzanita. It is a haven for birds and wildlife like the mouflon d'Amérique. An ideal place to sleep beneath the stars in one of its ten camping areas or rent a rustic-style cabin. Besides being the perfect place to go hiking, climbing and canoeing in "Laguna Hanson", which is the biggest body of water of all its forested areas. Another option is “La Bufadora”, a natural spectacle where waves collide with rocks and cause water jets up to 20 meters in height. It is a phenomenon similar to a sea geyser which can be seen from a viewpoint. For relaxing in the sun or hiking, snorkeling and kayaking, the region offers a variety of beaches. Typical of this area is an activity known as “coasteering”, where hiking, rappel, climbing, diving and zipline are combined. If you love wines, beautiful views and poetic sunsets, Ensenada is considered as the "capital of Mexican wine". Over 75 per cent of the country's wine is produced here through the agricultural valleys of Ojos Negros, La Grulla, Guadalupe and Santo Tomás de Ensenada. Wine tasting experiences are offered through tours of the cellars of over 150 wineries with different landscapes, architecture and different concepts. The wines you enjoy come from grapes grown in a climate similar to the French Mediterranean combined with the sea breeze of the Pacific Ocean. The visit of the wine valleys is completed by the production of the best quality olive oil, incredible gourmet restaurants, rural or fusión, Tras Lomita, Finca Altozano, Doña Esthela, Fauna, Laja, Animalón, Lunario, Deckman's, La Justina, are just a few of the options. You can also visit a tasting room of craft beers such as Media Perra and Cervecería Artesanal Misioneros. Back in town to sample award-winning Trans-Peninsular and Wendlandt beers. Ensenada in two days is just a sample of its beauty and this will be a memory that will bring you back very soon.

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