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Neighborhood of Tijuana in Baja California, United Mexican States
Photo: Darius Valens, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Tijuana is referred to as the Zona Centro. It includes Revolucion Avenue, which is the main tourist drag. For about 8 blocks, Revolucion is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, many aimed at tourists. This is what most day-trippers to Tijuana experience, and it should go without saying that Revolucion is not representative of Tijuana and certainly not of Mexico.
With a beautiful view of the famous Tijuana Arch. Offers budget friendly authentic Mexican dishes, drinks, cafe de olla, and a very rare tequila with a rattlesnake put into a big jar, supposedly a medicinal tequila.
Reputedly the birthplace of the famous Caesar's salad, in 1924. It is still served there according to its original recipe, mixed and served at your table in accordance to tradition. It has been remodeled with all decoration still similar to the original of the 1930s.
A high-end food court, bringing together great seafood, burgers and ramen.
Unpretentious, non-touristy quasi-Spanish taberna that has been open since 1947. Filled with bullfighting memorabilia, it is a slice of Spain in the heart of Tijuana. Their sangría and tapas have a good reputation.
This inexpensive restaurant is the opposite of the noisy, over-priced tourist traps that line Revolución. Standard Mexican dishes served in a very relaxed, quiet environment. Gringo-friendly, though very popular with locals.
Good mix of continental and traditional Mexican cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week. The omelets are great at breakfast, and at dinner the "Filet with Three Sauces" is excellent.
A staple of nightlife in Tijuana, having been around for more then thirty years.
Catering to the younger, hipper crowd. Serves excellent mezcal.
One of few Zona Centro dance bars that caters mainly to locals.
Cerveceria Norte
Bizarre location on an upper floor of a parking garage, but great views and tasty beers, most of which tend toward lower alcohol levels than at other brewpubs. Some unusual beers, like a "golden stout" (which is an absolute contradiction of terms, but hey, the beer is smooth and tasty!) Big, hearty burgers are a definite winner.
Microbrewery producing a range of very different beer styles including a couple of Belgian saisons and a decadent imperial stout, as well as your usual lineup of pale ales and unimaginitive IPAs. Taproom at Av. Revolution 821.
Interesting small brewpub with 14 beers on tap and an emphasis on sour beers, though other styles are available including some nicely malty porters and stouts.
The Hotel Morelia offers spacious rooms with shared bathroom from M$125 in a safe location. A pleasant place to stay cheap in Tijuana, right in the midst of it all, but reasonably quiet. Only stay here if you need budget accommodations within the vicinity of Av Revolución and do not bring any valuables. Also note that the hotel does not require a deposit for the key, so if the clerk asks for a deposit, he is looking to pocket extra money from you. Do not bring any valuables, because the hotel clerk may steal it from you.
Quiet while being one street away from Revolucion. I do not recommend the breakfast.
The Hotel Nelson is reasonably-priced and clean, and has a bar as well as a restaurant downstairs. The major drawback would be traffic noise from the myriad bars and clubs along this tourist-oriented street.
A hotel at the upper end of mid-range pricing. It has a very good restaurant and bar, comfortable rooms with plasma TVs and free WiFi, and free admission to the dance club "Las Pulgas" which is right around the corner. The staff is very polite and helpful, and most speak decent English. You can get a discount of M$100-150 per night on your room by booking online.
From San Diego, cross the San Ysidro border, and to your right hand side, walk toward the arch all along the pedestrian street: The arch is located at Avenida Revolución and Calle Primera (First Street).
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Tijuana · International · TIJ
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