Undiscovered Rosarito - Part II
Smooth Traveler:
Undiscovered Rosarito (Part Two)
By Renée S. Gordon
Rosarito Beach, located thirty minutes south of San Diego , covers twenty-miles of Baja California Norte’s scenic Gold Coast, where the mountains slope down to the sea. If driving from Tijuana visitors should take the toll road ($2.50), follow the green signs for “Ensenada Cuota” and take one of three Rosarito exits. Once in Rosarito always use the free road that parallels the toll road. It provides stunning views and access not to all the riches in the area.
Rosarito Beach is a thoroughly modern city that manages to maintain an aura of old Mexico and the main street, Boulevard Benito Juarez, is lined with restaurants and stores that represent the best of both worlds. There are more than a dozen eateries that serve regional specialties that range from tacos to the catch of the day and one can easily spend an afternoon examining curios and handcrafted items.
The Festival Plaza Hotel Complex, the focal point of the city’s entertainment district, is nearly three acres of accommodations, dining, attractions, activities and excitement. There are a number of distinctive drinking and dining establishments, convention center, spa, weekend craft market, and a large concert and live performance outdoor venue. The entire package is uniquely constructed, wrapped in bright colors and topped with a Ferris wheel in the courtyard.
The 203 hotel accommodations are equally creative. The majority of the rooms have ocean views and some rooms are equipped with kitchenettes. Rooms in the Pink Zone are for women only and provide additional security.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Rosarito region is the burgeoning arts scene. Artists have always migrated to this beautiful and serene part of the Baja and for years people have crossed the border to purchase handmade furniture and artworks to accessorize a room or decorate an entire home. Many of the artists have been featured internationally in museums and galleries but the prices here are a fraction of what you would pay in the United States . There have been Tiger Woods sightings in several of the galleries in Popotla.
An Art Route has been established from Rosarito Beach to Cantamar and includes nineteen galleries and studios and two arts centers and all of the art is original. The real thrill of gallery hopping here is that you often get to meet the artist and make very personal artistic selections.
I was intrigued by the metal sculptures created in workshops on the route. Life-sized horses with flowing manes vie for attention with snorting bulls and cavorting monkeys. Other studios feature stained glass, jewelry, fine art, pottery and crafts from throughout the country. My only regret was that I did not have a truck.
Six miles south of the heart of Rosarito Beach is the perfect place for a secluded, couples vacation. Las Rocas is a boutique resort and spa, set amid the rocky shoreline of the Pacific Ocean , that is ideal for a wedding, honeymoon, tryst or solo getaway. It is the ultimate in romance with 74 oceanfront accommodations with private balconies, seaside Jacuzzis, two infinity pools, fine dining, live entertainment, a pebble beach and awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets.
The Las Rocas holistic spa is world-class and offers a full schedule of signature treatments that employ local healing and rejuvenating ingredients. There are couples saunas and steam rooms and treatment rooms have picture windows and are suspended over the ocean to enhance the total experience.
Located directly across the highway from the resort, atop a mountain stands a 75 1/2-foot statue of Jesus. The 40-ton fiberglass and steel sculpture was the gift of Antonio Piquena. It replaced a small cross that once stood at the site. The statue is a little disconcerting because a lighted antenna is attached to Christ’s head as a warning to aircrafts.
Foxploration, 20th Century Fox Studios Baja, is a great place to tour. This working studio was located here because of the level of craftsmanship available. Studio tours are approximately two hours and include the sets of “X-Men,” “ Pearl Harbor ,” “Master and Commander,” and “Titanic.” The tour is interactive and the highlights include Titanic sets, the “Alien Resurrection” pod, automobiles from “Romeo and Juliet” and the cockpit from the plane in the “X-Men.” The compound has a great gift shop and food court so you can spend the entire day. (866-FOX-BAJA).
Ground zero for Baja Norte is definitely the Hotel Calafia and Historic Village . The hotel is situated on the site of the 1769 Mission San Diego de Alcala and the original boundary between Alta and Baja California , established in 1773. The boundary was relocated and officially set by the US in 1848.
The historic village presents the history of colonial Mexico through replicas of artworks and structures, artifacts and interpretive panels. The highlights here are replicas of a Spanish galleon and an Olmec sculpture and a reproduction of the façade of the “Mother of All Missions,” the Mission of Loreto. This is definitely the place to gain an understanding of regional history.
The hotel rooms, restaurant and bar are blended into the historic area and are constructed on the cliffs that overlook the ocean and the views are some of the best in the area. The dining room is decorated with furnishings and light fixtures from the set of the “Titanic” and from December through April guests can watch the whales as the pass by on their 5,000-mile migration. The margarita Sunday Brunch is a local favorite.
Puerto Nuevo is recognized internationally as the lobster capitol of the world. In the ‘50s tourists would return from a day of fishing wanting to eat. Their local guides told them all they could offer them was lobster. Once they tasted the deep-fried lobster an industry was born. Today there are more than 30 restaurants but you can still dine on lobster prepared using Rosa Maria Plasencia’s original recipe at Puerto Nuevo II, on Avenida Rentería, while listening to mariachi music. Puerto Nuevo Lobster Village is 11-miles south of Rosarito Beach .
There is much more to do and see, dining in The Castle, one of Al Capone’s haunts, surfing, sunset horseback rides or just soaking up the atmosphere. The price is right and the Mexican government has taken extra measures to ensure tourists’ safety. A visitors’ hotline is available by dialing 078 round the clock. Check it out. I promise you will thank me.
I wish you smooth and creative travels!