Rosarito

Our Go-To Beach Escape, Thirty Minutes From Home

We have a ritual. When the work week grinds us down and we need ocean air without the San Diego crowds, we load up the car, grab Mexican auto insurance on our phones, and drive south. Thirty minutes from the Tijuana border crossing, the toll road crests a hill and there it is — Rosarito Beach stretching out below, four miles of sand with the Pacific crashing in on the left and low-slung hotels lining the boulevard on the right.

Rosarito is not trying to be anything it isn’t. There are no luxury mega-resorts, no velvet ropes, no influencers posing for content. It’s a beach town where you wake up to the sound of waves, walk to a taco stand for breakfast, spend the afternoon on the sand, and eat lobster for dinner. The whole weekend costs less than a single night at a beachfront hotel in Coronado.

Jenice loves Rosarito because it reminds her of the Mexico she grew up visiting — families on the beach, vendors walking the sand selling fresh fruit and churros, old men playing cards on the hotel patios. There’s a warmth here that’s hard to manufacture, and we feel it every time we pull into town.

What Makes Rosarito Different?

Rosarito sits in a sweet spot — close enough to the border for a day trip, far enough south to feel like you’ve actually gone somewhere. The town has been a weekend retreat for Southern Californians since the 1920s, when the Rosarito Beach Hotel first opened and Hollywood stars started making the drive down the coast.

The appeal is simple: ocean, affordability, and zero pretension. A beachfront hotel room costs 1,000-2,000 MXN ($56-113 USD) per night. Fish tacos cost 40-60 MXN ($2-3 USD). A bucket of Coronas on the beach is 150 MXN ($8 USD). You can have a full weekend of sun, surf, food, and drinks for what brunch costs in La Jolla.

The coastline south of town is where things get interesting. K38, a surf break at kilometer marker 38, draws surfers from both sides of the border. Further south, the road winds through cliffside communities with ocean views that rival Big Sur. And Puerto Nuevo — the famous lobster village — is just ten minutes down the road.

Where to Eat in Rosarito

Tacos El Yaqui

A Rosarito institution. Their specialty is the “perro” — a flour tortilla stuffed with carne asada, cheese, beans, and guacamole, grilled until crispy. We’ve been coming here for years and the quality never drops. Tacos run 50-80 MXN ($3-5 USD) each. Cash only.

El Nido Steakhouse

An old-school Baja steakhouse with a stone fireplace, dim lighting, and mesquite-grilled meats that have been drawing crowds since 1971. Their rib-eye is legendary. Dinner for two runs 400-800 MXN ($22-45 USD) per person with drinks. Make a reservation on weekends.

Mariscos El Tio

Oceanfront seafood right on the main strip. Ceviche tostadas, shrimp cocktails, and a fish taco plate that comes with three perfectly battered tacos. Plates cost 120-220 MXN ($7-12 USD). Grab a table on the patio and watch the waves.

Susanna’s

A breakfast institution. Jenice orders the chilaquiles every single time — crispy tortilla chips smothered in salsa verde with crema and queso fresco. Scott goes for the machaca con huevos. Breakfast for two costs 250-400 MXN ($14-22 USD) with coffee.

Popotla Fish Market

Just south of town, this tiny fishing village sells the morning’s catch directly from pangas (small boats) on the beach. Pick your fish, and a nearby stand will fry or grill it for you with fresh tortillas and salsa. A whole grilled fish plate costs 150-250 MXN ($8-14 USD). This is the freshest seafood you’ll eat in Baja.

Where to Stay in Rosarito

Rosarito Beach Hotel (Mid-Range)

The grand dame of Rosarito, open since 1925. The original building has old-world charm — hand-painted tiles, arched doorways, ocean-facing balconies. The newer tower has modern rooms with better views. Rates run 1,800-2,800 MXN ($100-160 USD) per night. We always request an ocean-view room in the original building.

Las Rocas Resort & Spa (Upscale)

Perched on a cliff south of town with infinity pools overlooking the Pacific. This is where we come when we want to treat ourselves. Rooms are 2,800-4,000 MXN ($160-225 USD) per night. The spa alone is worth the trip.

Festival Plaza Hotel (Budget)

Right in the center of the action with clean rooms and a pool. Nothing fancy, but at 700-1,100 MXN ($40-62 USD) per night, it frees up budget for eating and drinking. Walking distance to everything.

What to Do in Rosarito

Beach Day

The main beach is wide, walkable, and rarely crowded on weekdays. Rent a palapa and chairs for 200-300 MXN ($11-17 USD) for the day. Vendors come to you with fresh fruit, coconuts, and tamales. We bring a book and stay until sunset.

Surfing at K38

Kilometer 38 is one of Baja’s most accessible surf breaks — consistent waves, sandy bottom, and a laid-back local crew. Board rentals cost 300-500 MXN ($17-28 USD) for a half day. Surf lessons run 600-900 MXN ($34-51 USD) including board and wetsuit.

ATV Rides

Several outfitters on the main strip offer guided ATV tours through the hills above Rosarito. A two-hour ride costs 800-1,200 MXN ($45-68 USD) per person. Dusty, loud, and genuinely fun.

Foxploration at Baja Studios

The former 20th Century Fox studio where Titanic was filmed now offers behind-the-scenes tours and film set experiences. Admission is 350-500 MXN ($20-28 USD). The massive water tank where the ship sinking scenes were filmed is still there.