More than 25 years ago, my siblings and I walked across the border at San Diego, entered into Mexico and hopped a bus crowded with people, chickens and baggage to search for a more authentic experience than the one offered in the border town, Tijuana. We found it in Ensenada, a sleepy little town with residents who greeted the site of Black American tourists with transparent curiosity.


Today, Ensenada is a busy, bustling city with shops on every corner selling Mexican silver jewelry, and nearly anything else to thousands of tourists who descend here as a port of call from several cruise ships. It is located along Baja California which stretches from Tijuana, the busiest border crossing in the U.S. to Cabo San Lucas, a trendy resort area nearly 600 miles to the south. Baja California is a peninsula of beautiful and rugged land surround on one side by the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean on the other.


Ensenada, located on the Pacific side, is blessed by the breezes from the ocean that blow in to make living here more hospitable. Many Americans have bought second homes here lured by favorable exchange rates, low crime and year-round entertainment such as a Mardi Gras, Paella, wine and seafood festivals. Restaurant options are available in every price range and if there is ever a time you make an exception to eating street food it should be here.
The city is famous for the street vendors selling fish tacos and delicious oyster tostados made with today’s catch delivered by the fisherman at the docks located less than ten minutes away. For less than what you’d tip a taxi driver, you can enjoy this authentic Mexican experience. In case you are visiting the city via cruise ship, skip your planned dinner in the dining room and instead have dinner ashore. An unforgettable meal can be had at one of several restaurants located around town or in one of the many hotels that also offer live entertainment. Strolling Mariachis serenade diners eating from menus bursting with Polano Chiles stuffed with shrimp, rice and beans, lobster crepes in chili sauce, tender slowed cooked beef and pork, and fresh fish.

With all of the talk these days about illegal immigration, Ensenada remains a beautiful example of the love, respect and enjoyment the majority of Americans hold for the history, culture and people of Mexico.