Tijuana

We Walk Across the Border Every Month — Here’s Why

The first time we crossed into Tijuana, we were nervous. That was over twenty years ago, and we had no idea what we were missing. Now we live in San Diego, ten minutes from the San Ysidro border crossing, and Tijuana is our default weekend destination. We’ve crossed more than fifty times, and every visit we discover something new — a taco stand that’s been perfecting birria for three generations, a brewery that just opened in a converted warehouse, a gallery showing work that would sell for ten times the price in LA.

Tijuana is not what most Americans think it is. The city went through a rough stretch, and that reputation stuck. But the Tijuana we know in 2026 is a city in the middle of a full-blown cultural renaissance. The food scene rivals any city on the continent. The craft beer movement has exploded to over fifty breweries. Young chefs and artists are choosing Tijuana over Mexico City because the energy here is raw and real and the rents are still affordable.

Jenice grew up visiting family across the border, and she’ll tell you that the TJ of her childhood — the tourist traps on Revolucion, the donkey photo ops — has been replaced by something far more interesting. The taco stands are still there (thank God), but now they sit alongside Michelin-worthy restaurants, natural wine bars, and food halls that feel like they belong in Brooklyn or Copenhagen.

We grab our passports, hop on the Blue Line trolley, and walk across the border on foot. No car, no parking hassle, no Mexican auto insurance. Forty-five minutes after leaving our apartment in San Diego, we’re sitting at a taco stand with cold beers and plates of birria that cost less than a sandwich back home.

What Makes Tijuana Different?

Every border city has cheap food and nightlife. What sets Tijuana apart is the convergence of cultures happening right now. San Diego tech workers, Tijuana artists, Mexico City chefs, and Central American entrepreneurs are all colliding in a city of nearly two million people that straddles two countries and two economies.

The Zona Gastronomica on Calle Sexta has become one of Mexico’s most exciting food corridors. Within a few blocks you’ll find Japanese-Mexican fusion, traditional Oaxacan mole, Baja Med cuisine (a genre born here), and street-style birria that’ll ruin you for every taco you eat back in the States. This isn’t tourist food — locals eat here, chefs eat here, and the prices reflect a Mexican economy, not an American one.

The craft beer scene deserves its own paragraph. Tijuana was producing craft beer before most American cities outside Portland and San Diego. Breweries like Insurgente, Border Psycho, and Cerveceria Tijuana have won international awards. A tasting flight at most breweries costs 150-250 MXN ($8-14 USD) — less than a single pint at many San Diego taprooms.

Where to Eat in Tijuana

Eating is the main event in Tijuana. We’ve tried dozens of spots over the years, and these are the ones we keep coming back to.

Tacos El Gordo

The line is always long and it’s always worth it. Their birria tacos — slow-braised beef in a rich, chile-spiked consomme — are legendary. We order four or five each, dip them in the consomme, and add their smoky salsa roja. At 35-50 MXN ($2-3 USD) per taco, this is the best deal in any city on the West Coast.

Mariscos El Mazateno

Our go-to for seafood. The aguachile verde hits different here — raw shrimp cured in lime and serrano chile, served with tostadas. Jenice always orders the ceviche mixto. Expect to spend 180-280 MXN ($10-15 USD) per person for a full seafood spread.

La Cerveceria de Tijuana

When we want to sit down with good beer and solid food in one place. Their house-brewed IPAs and ambers pair perfectly with their carne asada fries. Craft beers run 90-150 MXN ($5-8 USD) each. The rooftop patio has views of the city that are worth the visit alone.

Telefonica Gastro Park

This converted lot is Tijuana’s answer to the food hall — a collection of chef-driven stalls around an open-air courtyard. On any given night you’ll find wood-fired pizza, Korean tacos, craft cocktails, and artisanal ice cream. Budget 120-200 MXN ($7-11 USD) per dish. We usually share three or four plates between us.

Caesar’s

This is where the Caesar salad was literally invented in 1927. The original Restaurante Caesar’s on Revolucion still prepares it tableside, and honestly, it’s theatrical and delicious. The rest of the menu is upscale Mexican-Continental. Full dinner for two runs 350-600 MXN ($20-35 USD) per person. Save this for a special occasion.

Taconazo

Our late-night staple. Nothing fancy — just a street stand with plastic chairs and fluorescent lights — but the al pastor tacos here are carved fresh off the trompo and hit perfectly after a night of brewery hopping. Tacos are 40-80 MXN ($2-4 USD) each. Open late, which matters.

Where to Stay in Tijuana

Most of our Tijuana visits are day trips from San Diego, but when we stay overnight, these are our picks.

Hotel Lucerna (Mid-Range)

A solid, well-located hotel in the Zona Rio business district with a pool, restaurant, and reliable Wi-Fi. Rooms run 1,500-2,200 MXN ($85-125 USD) per night. It’s our default when we want something comfortable without overpaying.

One Baja Real (Budget)

Clean, modern, and no-frills. Rooms at 800-1,200 MXN ($45-68 USD) per night make this the smart pick for travelers who plan to spend all their time eating and drinking anyway. Good location near the Zona Gastronomica.

Hyatt Place Tijuana (Upscale)

If you want an American-style hotel experience, the Hyatt Place delivers. Modern rooms, a gym, and a rooftop bar. At 2,400-3,200 MXN ($135-180 USD) per night, it’s pricey by TJ standards but still half what you’d pay in San Diego.

What to Do in Tijuana

Avenida Revolucion

Revolucion has reinvented itself. Yes, you’ll still see souvenir shops, but now they’re outnumbered by galleries, mezcalerias, and boutiques. Walk the full length on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll find live music, street art, and popup markets.

Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT)

The iconic globe-shaped cultural center houses an IMAX theater, art galleries, and rotating exhibitions. Admission is 50 MXN ($3 USD). The permanent collection focuses on Baja California history and contemporary Mexican art.

Craft Brewery Crawl

With over fifty breweries, a crawl is practically mandatory. We like starting at Insurgente (the granddaddy of TJ craft beer), walking to Border Psycho, and finishing at Ludica. Tastings run 150-300 MXN ($8-17 USD) per brewery. Budget three to four hours and pace yourself.

Mercado Hidalgo

This is where Tijuanenses actually shop. A sprawling indoor market with produce stalls, butchers, spice vendors, and prepared food counters. Jenice comes here for dried chiles and mole paste. It’s loud, crowded, and completely authentic.

Zona Gastronomica (Calle Sexta)

More a neighborhood to explore than a single attraction. Walk Calle Sexta and let your nose guide you. Some of the best meals we’ve had in Tijuana were from places we stumbled into with no plan at all.