If you plan to visit Tijuana in 2019, you may be wondering, is Tijuana safe? Tijuana is one of the most popular border destinations in Mexico, and hundreds of thousands of people do the San Diego to Tijuana border crossing each week. As long as you travel during the day, stay on the toll roads and stick to well-lit areas with your wits about you, driving to Tijuana is safe and convenient. Once there, you’ll want to make the most of your time. Don’t miss these seven awesome activities to do in Tijuana.
1. Telefonica Gastro Park
Immersing yourself in delicious cuisine is one of the first things you’ll want to do after driving to Tijuana from San Diego. The Telefonica Gastro Park is a foodie’s paradise, featuring a variety of incredible food trucks for traditional Mexican cuisine and beyond.
2. Avenida Revolución
This street, though touristy, is the most famous one in Tijuana and is just a short walk from the border. Aside from the traditional tourist shops, there are some pretty incredible gems that sell unique jewelry and handcrafted (rather than tacky mass produced) souvenirs. Don’t forget to take a photo with the “zebras” or traditional painted donkeys that have been seen in Tijuana for more than 100 years.
3. Mercado Hidalgo
Whether you’re looking to make purchases or not the Mercado Hidalgo is one of the most fun places to visit. This vibrant, indoor market is home to a variety of locally grown produce and trinkets from the entire country. It’s a great place to go for a snack, fresh juices and traditional sweet candies to enjoy on the spot or take back home with you.
4. Museo de las Californias
Get a history lesson at this intriguing museum which teaches visitors all about the history of the Baja California area. Inside, you’ll find hundreds of artifacts and relics brought in from all over the area. You can walk yourself and explore or take a guided tour in English or Spanish.
5. Domo Imax
Also situated within the Centro Cultural Tijuana, this theater was established in 1982. You can watch a variety of interesting artistic and cultural films on a huge screen. Typically, there are quite a few options for films and is a great place to spend some time, especially if the weather is not cooperating at any point during your trip.
6. Pasaje Rodríguez
Explore the murals along the Pasaje Rodríguez, which is filled with incredible street art, art galleries and boutique coffee shops. This artsy area has been revitalized and injected with a new energy. It is truly the perfect place for a photo opp as the vibrant artists have created quite a trendy scene that’s gone viral on social media. Each piece and craft restaurant is unique in its own way.
7. Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Explore a piece of history at this church which dates back to the early 1900’s. It’s beautiful face with powerful clock tower is a site to be seen when visiting Tijuana. The best photos are taken from across the street to get the entire structure, including its beautiful dome, in your shot.
Though there are many things to do when driving to Tijuana from San Diego, these are some of the most popular. Get to the border crossing early in the morning to avoid the rush hour crowd and have the best part of the day across in Mexico. If going for a short period of time, you’ll also want to leave in the early afternoon to avoid the even longer lines to enter the U.S.