Tijuana pedestrian crossing opens

The US and Mexico have been working for several years to modify and upgrade the crossing points in to Tijuana for several years.  The US has fully rebuilt the San Ysidro crossing going North to the US and continues to expand with additional auto lanes and streamlined pedestrian crossing.

Likewise in Mexico the El Chaparral crossing has created numerous additional auto lanes but not so much for pedestrians until now. The new Puerta Este for pedestrian crossers looks much more like you are arriving at an airport than any pedestrian facility seen before at a US border crossing.

For the most part the crossing is simple and crossers may be requested to push a button that will give a green light or red light. The green light means go on your way while the red light means you will be asked a few simple questions such as how long are you visiting Mexico, where you will visit and if you have anything to declare. The majority of people passing through the facility will have little scrutiny.

What is true, no matter if you are crossing by vehicle or on foot in to Mexico that there is much more scrutiny than ever before. The number of Customs Officials has increased dramatically. Click here to view a previous post regarding visa requirements to visit Tijuana.

Full story at San Diego Union Tribune.

Wine Harvest Festival > August 7 – 23

Suggested events: 

Friday August 7, 2015: Muestra del Vino 2015

The kickoff to the Vendimia takes place at one of the most iconic buildings in Ensenada, the Riviera del Pacifico. This event has wine from over 50 wineries and food from around the region accompanied by music. This year will celebrate the 25^th annual Vendimia celebration.

Sunday, August 16: Party at the Riviera

Wine tastings, music, culture and dance at the Riviera del Pacifico in Ensenada. Enjoy a wonderful time with family at this free event.

Thursday, August 20: Party in the Valley

This free event offers wine tastings, food and artisanal craftsfrom the Valle de Guadalupe in the Parque el Porvenir

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Sunday, August 23: Paella Contest 2015

This huge event concludes the Vendimia festival. A magical event with more than 50 winemakers and 80 teams competing to offer the best paella, this is always a favorite. 

Full list of events at DiscoverBaja

Tijuana Festival at the Beach

Festival Tijuana en la Playa

Date: July 24 – 26, 2015
Time: starts at 9:00am
Cost: Free
Place: Malecon (boardwalk) in Playas de Tijuana

The festival will showcase food, music, art and culture of the San Diego-Tijuana border region. There will be three pavilions with different foods, vendors and  services available to visitors. Items for sale and services include foods of the region, travel and tourism, massage, clothing, and beach accessories. Exhibitions and activities include paintings, sculpture and body paint, among others.

Other activities include:
 – dog parade    – volleyball tournament    – body boarding competition
 – surfing exhibition    – skateboarding exhibition    – Zonkey photos  
 – sand castle building    – swimwear show (men and women)    – many more!

Playas de Tijuana is located approximately 8 miles from the San Ysidro / El Chaparral border crossing. The drive takes only about 10 minutes along the international highway. Taxis from the border are available for approximately $10 USD.

Tijuana Pride – June 27

June 27- Parade starts at 5:00p

After party at Ranchero Bar on Plaza Santa Cecilia

Plaza Sta. Cecilia is 10 minute walk from the San Ysidro / El Chaparral border crossing or $4 USD taxi ride. Uber is also available in Tijuana.

The Committee for Tourism and Conventions reports that the number of gay visitors to Tijuana will spike during the week of the Pride festivities. Acceptance of gay visitors has become more widespread as the positive impact of those visitors is seen.  Tourism in Tijuana has increased by 8 percent this year over last.

Gay marriage in Mexico

The Supreme Court of Mexico ruled that state law which considers the ultimate purpose of marriage to be “procreation, and or defines (marriage) as celebrated between a man and a woman, is unconstitutional.”  This does not mean however that gay marriage will immediately state in all states.  Any person who is denied the ability to marry based on these circumstances has the right to petition the local court.

For more detail read:  English  Spanish

Baja Bike Race

June 21, 2015
Tecate to Ensenada

This new bike race is 73 miles through scenic Baja starting in Tecate and finishing in Ensenada.

Click here for the information sheet. Learn more, register or volunteer at the Baja Bike Race website.

World Naked Bike Ride

Guadalajara
June 6, 2015
Facebook

Mexico City 
June 13, 2015
– map –

Morelia, Michoacan
June 20, 2015
website

Puebla, Puebla
June 20, 2015 

• Puebla, Puebla (Ciudad de Puebla, Puebla): 15 Jun 2013 (Previous rides: 16 Jun 2012)
• Mexico City (Ciudad de México): 14 Jun 2014 (Previous rides: 8 Jun 2013, 9 Jun 2012, 11 Jun 2011, 12 Jun 2010, 13 Jun 2009, 7 Jun 2008, 9 Jun 2007, 10 Jun 2006)
• Guadalajara: 8 Jun 2013 (Previous rides: 9 Jun 2012, 11 Jun 2011)
• Morelia: 15 Jun 2013 (Previous rides: 16 Jun 2012, 11 Jun 2011, 12 Jun 2010 suspended by police)
• Colima (Ciudad de Colima, Colima): 15 Jun 2013 (Previous rides: 16 Jun 2012)

Tijuana Airport Bridge

 The long awaited bridge to walk from parking in the US to the Tijuana airport has been built. It is expected that the customs and immigration facilities will open by the end of 2015. The enclosed bridge is 390 feet long and has divided north/south corridors. Ticketed passengers will be able to walk across between the United States and Mexico, avoiding lines at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry.

The bridge was built using private funds and cost an estimated $120-million USD. The developer, Otay Tijuana Venture, LLC, is calling the project “Cross Border Xpress.”  A fee for using the bridge has not been released but previous estimates run as low as $13 USD up to $20 USD, per passenger.

Baja Pride Events

Ensenada
June 20

Tijuana
June 27 

Mexicali
September 19

More information to come!

See past event photos from BajaAdvisor

Artisinal Beer Expo – Tijuana

Expo Cerveza Artesanal

Date: May 29 & 30, 2015

Time: 2:00p – 11:00p

Cost: $200 MN

Corner of Sánchez Taboada and Independencia / 10th

Zona Rio – across from Mercado Hidalgo

Tijuana and regional microbreweries will be represented along with some international brands as well.  Food trucks and local restaurants will be onsite as well.

 

The location is very close to Plaza Rio and is a short taxi ride from the San Ysidro / San Diego border crossing.