SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/985031
Celebrating Ensenada When attending the 50th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, don’t miss out on all of the culture and cuisine of this seaside city Ensenada, Mexico is one of the most popular destinations in Baja California, highlighted as the city that has hosted the SCORE Baja 500 for more than 40 years. Located on the long stretch of the Baja peninsula, Ensenada is the largest municipality in the state of Baja California, and spans over 20,263 square miles with close to one million inhabitants. While many come to watch the 50th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, the sites and images can’t be passed and visitors are encouraged to take part in everything that the city and surrounding areas have to offer. Go Seaside Starting your day surfing 40-foot waves at Todos Santos island, is one of the unique ways to enjoy the area. If you’re not good a catching a wave, you can catch a glimpse of grey wales as they migrate to the area annually and can be seen from a variety of cruises that can take you to the hottest whale watching spots. Before the end of the day, you could be kayaking or sports fishing in the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez which is only three-hours away. Famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez "The Aquarium of The World" as it boasts more than 600 miles of coastline when you combine the Pacific Ocean side and the shores of the gulf of California. Take the Trans Peninsular Highway and on to dirt roads along the Pacific side of Ensenada. This route has been used as the course for the SCORE Baja 500 and Baja 1000. Along the route, you can visit popular spots like Bocana Santo Tomas, Colonet, Camalu, or go out for great sports fishing at Erendira. BaJa’s Agricultural Side Not far from Ensenada is the city of San Quintin. This area is considered one of the most important agricultural regions in México, where much of the production here is exported to the United States. San Quintin also has attractive beaches, and historical sites like the English cemetery, or the Old Mill. There’s also an abundance of fresh sea food cuisine made from locally caught clams and oysters. In addition, comfortable and affordable accommodations are available for those who want to spend more time exploring the region. If you want to find some of the stops where SCORE racers visit for a bite to eat, take the Transpeninsular Highway inland to the town of El Rosario, and stop at the famous Mama Espinoza’s restaurant. Here you indulge in its famous crab or lobster burritos and admire many photos and autographs of famous SCORE Baja 1000 and Baja 500 racers that have passed through over the last four decades. If you're looking for a desert region that meets-up with turquoise colored gulf waters, head south east down the paved road that now runs along on the Sea of Cortez shore of Ensenada. This is a newly paved highway south of Puertecitos and features spectacular views of the gulf islands all the way to San Luis Gonzaga bay and beyond. The construction of the paved road ends several miles from Laguna Chapala, another well-known area by SCORE racers. Once you're back on the main highway you can head south to the small town of Bahía de Los Angeles, a spot famous for its sport fishing, kayaking, and whale shark diving tours. Head Up To the Mountains Visitors should also explore the areas mountain regions, including the Sierra Juárez mountains where there are old mining sites like Real Del Castillo near Ojos Negros. It was once the capital of the then territory of Baja California. You can also explore Hansons Lake, which is surrounded by pine tree forests and winter snow. If you continue south the elevation rises to the San Pedro Mártir mountains. Here you’ll want to stop at the iconic Mike's Sky Ranch and Melling Ranch, both of which offer traditional area lodging and food and are famous for SCORE racers stopping by for a bite to eat while pre-running the course or just for fun. Once at the top of the San Pedro Mártir mountains, at just over 10,000-feet, you’ll find the San Pedro Mártir National Astronomical Observatory and Museum. From here, visitors can look down at the city of San Felipe as well as the majestic Picacho del Diablo, the highest peak in all the Baja California peninsula. As you descend from the mountain ranges and continue south, you will encounter the Missions of San Francisco Borja, near Bahía de Los Angeles and Santa Gertrudis. These are on the road to San Francisquito, and are an example of the period of the region’s colonization. You can also find the most accessible cave painting site in the peninsula, located near Catavina, just 300 meters from the highway. A Taste of Ensenada In 2015, Ensenada was designated by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as a “Creative City” in the Culinary field. It became the first Mexican city to obtain this distinction, ensuring that visitors live a complete culinary experience. With everything, from street food to “farm to table” dishes in world famous restaurants, Ensenada has honored this distinction. The range of choices here incorporate a variety of ingredients but also a mix of cultures to obtain a unique combination of flavors. Some of these extend from seafood to game meats. Seafood cocktails, the famous fish tacos, or a “ceviche tostada” are a common part of the street food offering, as well as excellent steaks and other signature dishes. Here are BEST BETS FOR GREAT CUISINE WHILE VISITING ENSENADA. Gifts of the Land and Sea Seafood is abundant with abalone, cocktail clams, blue-fin tunas, shrimp, mussels and oysters; six of the fishing industry’s most prized catches. With more than 300 local restaurants, you are sure to discover unique flavors in the seafood and fish dishes with incredibly fresh, recently caught, ingredients. This diverse array of delicacies is perfectly complemented by an ample offering of farm-fresh products grown in the Valle de Maneadero Zone, around 19 miles from the city center. Here, over 140 varieties of vegetables and legumes are produced: baby carrots, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, basil, green beans and asparagus, to name just a few. Street Food One-of-a-kind flavors and fresh ingredients create a perfect symphony in Ensenada’s street food scene. Ranging from traditional grilled beef and marinated pork tacos, to the wide variety of dishes sold from the city’s food trucks, these “carretas de mariscos” (seafood carts), are located all along the tourist throughway of Costero Boulevard. While you’re there, don’t miss a visit to the Mercado Negro, a picturesque seafood market where you can buy typical fish taco from La Guerrerense cart, El Gordito Seafood, tacos in El Trailero, or the signature Fish Tacos at El Fenix or Marco Antonio are the must-visit spots throughout the city. Signature Cuisine If cuisine d’auteur is your thing, there are many restaurants in the city where the dishes are edible works of art. Taking inspiration from Asia, Italy, Europe, India and countless other corners of the world, these chef’s creations are characterized by their use of local, seasonal ingredients with an original flair. Try the seafood specialties at Pacífico Restaurant, La Conchería or La Cocedora de Langosta in downtown Ensenada or an exquisite dinner at Boules, Cava 8 or Chef Benito Molina’s Manzanilla. If you are visiting Valle de Guadalupe you must try breakfast at La Cocina de Doña Esthela or Hacienda Guadalupe, or grab a quick lunch at adobe Food Truck, but make sure you keep room for dinner at Malva, Deckman’s en el Mogor, Corazón de Tierra or Chef Javier Plascencia’s Finca Altozano. All of them with a great view to pair with your food and wine. The Mexican Wine Capital Currently, there are more than 90 vineyards in the six valleys which surround Ensenada, amounting to over 400 world-class wine labels. Experts attribute the Mediterranean climate, with warm days, cold nights and a sea breeze, to the valley’s perfect grape-growing conditions. Be sure to enjoy the full Food & Wine experience, whether you choose the Ruta del Vino (Wine Route) traversing the San Antonio de las Minas, Francisco Zarco and Guadalupe valleys north of the city, or the Antigua Ruta del Vino (Old Wine Route) which meanders through the La Grulla, Santo Tomás and San Vicente valleys. The Cradle of Craft Beers If being the “Capital of Mexican Wine” weren’t enough, Ensenada has also become renowned for its numerous artisanal breweries, characterized for their small size, independent nature and use of traditional production methods. During your visit to Ensenada, you can’t miss the chance to see one of the Tasting Rooms, where you can savor many types of beer while also getting to know the brewing process, accompanied by stunning views of the landscape and a refreshing sea breeze. Visit one of the most awarded breweries such as Wendlandt, and Aguamala, or keep up with the whole circuit involving Transpeninsular, Canneria and Doble C. If you are headed to Valle de Guadalupe, don’t miss Media Perra Brewery. Home of the Margarita Did you know the Margarita cocktail was invented right here in Ensenada? Don’t miss to enjoy the original recipe in the same bohemian bar where it all started back in the 1930’s: Bar Andaluz at the Riviera Civic Center. Museum of Vine and Wine Begin your tour in the wine country with the first wine museum in Mexico where you can develop your Mexican wine knowledge in the areas related to history, industry, culture, identity and art. During your time taking in the 50th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, be sure and take the time to enjoy the many interesting sites of the city and municipality of Ensenada. For more information on your visit to Ensenada, visit www.discoverensenada.com where you can find more activities, recommendations and places to stay! For more information on tour packages and how to visit all of the sites and attractions in Ensenada and its surroundings, contact the Baja California Hosts and Tourooperators Association at www.aatopbc.com or call 01152-1-646-261-1327.