Rosarito Beach lies just sixteen miles south of the U.S. border, on the Pacific coast of northern Baja. The beach here stretches for 5 miles and is one of the nicer, easily accessible, beaches in northern Baja. Rosarito Beach has earned a reputation as a party town and they do their best to live up to its reputation. This small town has more than its fair share of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants where you can drink, eat, drink, party, and then drink some more.
There is a peaceful side to the town, although you would never know it if you arrived during the five weeks, or so, of spring break. The Rosarito Beach Hotel has been an institution in northern Baja since 1927 and remains a class act to this day. This is one of the places that really prospered during the prohibition era in the U.S., as hordes of people arrived from Southern California and points beyond to relax and enjoy legal cocktails and also the gambling that was available for a short time. The hotel has a great restaurant, two pools, a spa, a newly built pier, some great suites, and a really wonderful bar that is a favorite place to catch the sunset.
Horseback riding, golf, ATV rentals, surf fishing, and bicycle rentals are but a few of the activities available here. Shopping for arts and crafts, pottery, hand-made rustic style furniture and of course, silver items from all over México is always a good way to pass some time.
A local activity that has always been a favorite in Rosarito Beach is cruising the local bars, having a quick drink, and then visiting one of the many fish taco stands. Fish tacos are a local favorite and also a delight to tourists. This is an activity that starts early in the day and is practiced well into the wee hours of the morning.
There is an 18-hole golf course a few miles to the north at Real del Mar and more to the south, on the way to Ensenada. Fox studios has an active set location (tours available) several miles to the south of Rosarito Beach.
Puerto Nuevo…one of the main reasons people make the drive to Rosarito Beach, isn’t really in Rosarito Beach. Puerto Nuevo, also known as “Lobster Village” is located 11 miles south of the Rosarito Beach hotel and is a major destination by itself. All of the thirty-plus restaurants in Puerto Nuevo specialize in one item…lobster! Many of these restaurants also have other items on their menu, most notably fresh fish, but the real attraction in Puerto Nuevo is the relatively inexpensive lobster dinners. Be aware that this village of restaurants and gift shops can get very busy, especially on weekends. There is a turn-off from the toll road and a large parking lot that is usually full on weekends.
Another 7 miles to the south is La Fonda Restaurant, Bar, and Hotel, another Baja landmark known for its delightful cliffside dining where you can dine on exquisite prime rib or tender steaks along with great margaritas, served on a cliff that sits above the Pacific Ocean in a very dramatic setting. The Sunday brunch at La Fonda has become a tradition, of sorts, that attracts visitors from all over northern Baja and many more that make the drive from Southern California.
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