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Ensenada
Harbor
Day Trips
31°50.39'N - 116°38.3'W
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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 La Bufadora -- "The Buffalo Snort" 23 miles
southwest of Ensenada at Punta Banda, about a half-hour drive from central Ensenada.
There are actually two things here to see. The alley of shops filled with
every touristy knick knack imaginable and then some, the constant barrage of churro
vendors and the smell of open cooking are reminiscent of downtown Vegas before the
redevelopers hit it, a street in downtown Bangkok or a swap meet gone Latin. The
other side of the coin is the beauty of the small scalloped bay and rocky shores nestled
in the hills rushing down to the sea. Diving and snorkeling all along the northern
peninsula is a rewarding challenge. Through the vendor area and around the point is
the 'blowhole' that sends ocean water and foam high into the air with each incoming swell
from the Pacific Ocean. Worth a trip once. |
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Parque Nacional Constitución
de 1857 -- The home of Laguna Hanson
(the name comes from an agriculturist, solitary pioneer. Richard N. Hanson, first
inhabitant of the place in 1850), the park is about 20 miles off Highway 3 to San Felipe
from Ojos Negros (km.55). Located in the high plateau country of the Sierra de Juárez,
above Guadalupe Canyon, the area offers a calm and pleasant
get-away, where, in addition to the beautiful terrain, solitude is one
of its main attractions. The lake is surrounded by pine forests, unusual rock
formations and has great campsites on its western side. If you wish to camp, hike or
simply to spend a day afield between encino forests and pine and cactaceous scrubs, you
may see some deer, wild burro, pumas, cats, coyotes, bald eagles and a diverse selection
of snakes. Winter visits are iffy, snow does fall here, take precautions since sometimes
the area is incommunicado. Along the edge of the lake lives the forester and next to
his house there are several cabins, some of which are rented; there are pretty places to
camp although they lack amenities completely. Few mountains are seen in the park, but
those that there are are imposing. Enormous rocky blocks formed by powerful Earth
forces and polished by the abrasive effect of the wind through many thousands of years are
abundant. Throughout all the park are yet enormous rocky crags, capricious and
smooth, that are in harmonious beauty with the nature and the landscape. Ten kilometers in
before Hanson Lagoon is an fire observation tower that offers a panorama of the park that
is a truly beautiful vista. This area is interesting for geologists and specially for
mineralogists because of the variety of garnets, quartz, micas, plagioclases, tourmaline,
hornblenda and other stones found here. Exceptional crystals, weighing over 10 kilograms,
have also been found. A small entrance
fee is usually charged.
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  Riviera del Pacifico -- During the 1930's, this was the premier casino on the west
coast of the Americas. Stunning period architecture and beautiful gardens with
monuments depicting the history of Baja. Not to be missed is the evolving Museum of
History recreating the early days of the Baja California colonization, Indian cultures and
Missionary period. Open 9AM-5PM Tues.-Sunday. Blvd. Lázaro Cárdenas y Av. Riviera, Tel
76-4310 / 76-4233, 77-0594
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Museum of Sciences -- Dedicated to astronomy, flora, fauna, fossils
and marine life of Baja California. Av. Alvaro Obregón 1463, Tel. 78-7192
Regional History Museum -- Located at the former city jail. Av. Gastélum
and López Mateos
Open 10AM-5PM Tuesday-Sunday, Tel. 78-2531
Aduana Maritima -- Av. Ryerson 1. Built in 1887, this former customs
house is the oldest public building in Baja and also the site of the National Institute of
Anthropology and History.
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WINERIES The
valleys outside Ensenada have an excellent climate for grape
growing and a large
number of wineries are getting attention in the wine world. Many offer tours and
tastings.
During the summer, many festivals are held, meaning large parties, and include
food, wine, music and dancing!
BODEGAS DE SANTO TOMAS
Telephone 011-52 (617) 78-3333
Avenida Miramar #666, Ensenada
Baja's oldest winery, daily tours available
CASA VALMAR WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (617) 8-6405
L.A. CETTO WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (668)5-4450.
Located in Guadalupe Valley,
outside of Ensenada
MONTE XANIC WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (617) 8-3146.
Located in Guadalupe Valley,
outside of Ensenada |
CASA
PEDRO WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (662) 3-2390
Located outside Ensenada in Guadalupe ValleyCHATEAU CAMOU
Telephone 011-52 (617) 7-2221
MOGAR BADAN WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (617) 7-1484
SAN ANTONIO WINERY
Telephone 011-52 (617) 8-3939
SANTO TOMAS WINERY TASTING ROOM
Telephone 011-52 (617) 8-3333.
Located in downtown Ensenada. |
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  Hussong's Cantina -- The oldest bar in the Californias, Hussong's was
originally a stagecoach stop built by its German founder Johan Hussong. Order a cold
cerveza and imagine the cast of characters who have sidled up to this bar. On big weekends like the Ensenada Race, Hussongs
can
be a crazy, wild place complete with mariachis, dancin' fools and a lot of fun. Or
like the Monday after during the "Prayer Meeting" a great spot to reflect on
your life, past and future.
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DIVING
-- There are some good dive spots including Punta Banda, south of town 12 miles, right at
Punta Banda signal, at the end of the road. With convenient parking, easy water access and
fairly protected waters at Bahia Papalote, Puerto Escondido and the tip of Punta Banda,
Banda has one of 2 dive shops in the area. Another spot is Isla Todos Santos about 9
miles from Ensenada Harbor and 4 miles off of Punta Banda. You must go by boat but with
minimal currents, visibility is good.
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