Tijuana Entertainment
Simply going out to taste the local food at a restaurant is entertaining and fascinating in Tijuana, as Mexican cuisine boasts extraordinary decoration and uses many colourful ingredients. Nightlife in Tijuana is also exciting, while cultural shows can keep you entertained. Shopping enthusiasts can enjoy some time visiting the most popular shopping street, Avenida Revolucion.
Eating out
Tijuana offers a wide range of restaurants for the ultimate dining experience, from local Mexican food to Mediterranean, American, European, Japanese and Chinese cuisine.
If you want to dine in luxurious style, Tijuana has an array of upscale restaurants to suit the most refined taste. The most notable restaurants include Villa Saverios, an elegant restaurant boasting a hybrid, innovative culinary concept that combines European, American and Mexican ingredients; Como Que No!, a restaurant-bar with an original concept combining Mexican eating and drinking with dancing to the rhythms of salsa, merengue and mariachi; and La Escondida, which will tempt you with Mexican dishes, fresh seafood and house specialties.
If you are looking for local food, head to the smaller taco shops where you can enjoy the best carne asada tacos in the world for a very reasonable price. Also, try the delicious churros made by the street vendors.
Local cuisine
Known for its intense spiciness, varied flavours and colourful decoration, Mexican cuisine is famous among food connoisseurs for its impressive presentation and richness of proteins, vitamins and minerals. The most common dishes usually come with tortillas (made with flour or maize), salsa (a tasty sauce made from a mix of red or green tomatoes, onion, chilli, cilantro), frijoles (boiled or fried beans), guacamole (avocado mashed with onions, chillies and cilantro) and big poblano chillies.
One of the most remarkable dishes that you must try when you are in Mexico is a delicious Caesar salad, which originated in the city, having first been created by Mr Cesar Cardini at the Caesar Hotel.
Nightlife
Clubbing in Tijuana is fun and exciting. The most popular bars are clustered in Pueblo Amigo, va Oriente and Paseo Tijuana in the Zona Ro, a new hub designed to resemble a colonial Mexican village. Tijuana is also home to many lively discos and a new addition to the clubbing scene, sport bars, with satellite TV from all over the United States as well as from Tijuana's Caliente Racetrack. These sports bars attract both sport lovers and party-goers.
Beer-drinkers should visit the Cerveceria Tijuana, the Tijuana Brewery, and its brewpub, located on Boulevard Fundadores, a few minutes south of Avenida Revolucion shopping district by taxi. Also, a shot of tequila or tequila in a margarita is a must when out clubbing in Tijuana.
Shopping
The most famous shopping street in Tijuana, Avenida Revolucion is always packed with shoppers, who make their way through the crowded street to buy a variety of Mexican bargains. Here, you can find many things, from blankets, baskets, pottery, hand-carved trinkets, toys and clothes to Austrian crystal. If you are not into shopping, you can have as much fun just observing the people.
Another place for shopping, located just five minutes from the border, is Mercado Hidalgo. This is where locals buy their specialty items and produce, so everything is priced for locals. You can find a variety of chillies, spices and Mexican candies including unusual seasonal specialties made of Aztec grains and a wide collection of Mexican cooking utensils.
Recreation
Spend some quality time with your family at Fun World (Mundo Divertido), a centre providing all kinds of family entertainment. Explore the many arcade games, go-karts, baseball batting cages, the rollercoaster, mini golf course and childrens train. You can also leave your boys at the Video Game Zone if they refuse to join the fun family adventure.
Golf
Golf-lovers flock to Tijuana, as the city offers professional golf courses amid stunning scenery. Real del Mar, a golf club and luxurious hotel located in Tijuana and just 20 minutes from the Rio area by car, welcomes tourists to its 18-hole professional golf course that hosts a number of organised tournaments such as the Governors' Cup, San Diego Magazine and Mattel.
Festivals
Many festivals and traditional cultural events are organised annually in Tijuana, giving visitors a glimpse into the fascinating cultures of the city. The Fiesta Bravo, or the Brave Party, is where you can find famous bullfighters showing their ability, while the Tijuana Fair features Mexican and international singers.
If you want to see impressive artistic performances, make sure you catch the Citys Anniversary Festival. Food-lovers should attend the Fish and Seafood Festival and the Mexican Dishes Festival.