Ensenada help needed!

[famof4togo]

I grew up in San Diego and spent much time down in Ensenada (20 years ago), frankly I didn't really like it there then, but I haven't been back since.  We will be stopping there on an upcoming cruise in March.  We do not want to do an excursion but would like a close by, good,  safe and most importantly FUN place to just post up for a few hours have a few drinks and eat some yummy food....(something similar to Mango deck or Sand Bar in Cabo) any suggestions?  Ideally close to a bit of shopping for "2 stone in 1".  Lastly, how far is La Bufadora and is it worth checking out? TIA

Edited January 20, 2022 by famof4togo

[SelectSys]

1) nothing like Mango Deck or Sand Bar exists in Ensenada.  The beach in Ensenada proper doesn't have big tourist areas and is oriented towards the local crowd.  Remember from your time in San Diego that the weather won't likely be all that warm in March and the water will be cold.

 

2) Bufadora to me is nothing special but it does/did have a lot of tourist restaurants and souvenir shops.  My guess is that it can be up to an hour to get to the Bufadora depending on traffic which seems to increase all the time as the city and the area to the south grows.

 

The Bufadora meets your 2 for 1 criteria.  You could do the same just walking around the tourist district.

 

BTW - anywhere you are likely to go in Ensenada will be safe.  I wouldn't worry about personal safety too much.

Edited January 21, 2022 by SelectSys

[famof4togo]

Thank you for the information!!!!  So given the above and lowering my expectations...lol...

 

Is there restaurant's / shopping right off the boat?  If so, any restaurant you would recommend?

[ilovesparky13]

On 1/21/2022 at 8:55 AM, famof4togo said:

Thank you for the information!!!!  So given the above and lowering my expectations...lol...

 

Is there restaurant's / shopping right off the boat?  If so, any restaurant you would recommend?

I cruised to Ensenada last month, and honestly, it’s the type of place I would recommend you have some sort of excursion planned. The downtown area wasn’t that great especially when you live in gorgeous San Diego.
 

I enjoyed La Bufadora, but it was a long drive, and gets quite windy at parts. You could easily spend a few hours there enjoying food, drinks, shopping, and the views. 

[famof4togo]

What about Avenida Lopez Mateos?  Is that walking distance from ship?  Can we find a decent restaurant to have a yummy meal at?  Reminds me of the Revolution in TJ....similar?

[SelectSys]

23 hours ago, famof4togo said:

What about Avenida Lopez Mateos?  Is that walking distance from ship?  Can we find a decent restaurant to have a yummy meal at?  Reminds me of the Revolution in TJ....similar?

You are correct, the feel is similar to Avenida Revolucion in TJ.  Perhaps the best restaurant on the street would be La Guerrerense.  They also have a food cart with a more limited menu at lower prices which is excellent.

 

You can also walk to Hussong's to see the oldest continuously operating cantina in Baja - at least I think so.  You can also walk to Bar Anadaluz inside the old casino building at the other end of the street which is the alleged home of the margarita drink.  

 

[JuliaMS]

Bar Andaluz is just across the street from the port. hey had good margaritas on a nice patio at a good price. They had a QR code for a full menu but were not serving food when we were there in December. We walked past some restaurants that looked good about 2 blocks away (near Av Blancarte and Av Adolfo Lopez Mateos). 

[kjenaz]

We went back last month for the first time in over 10 years.  We were very pleasantly surprised how much cleaner it was and we were impressed with the port area.  We walked around, went to the catholic church just to look and then went to the tequila testing place on main street.  The tour there was much nicer than we expected.  Highly recommend!

[SelectSys]

@kjenaz I am not surprised.  Even Mexicans in other parts of Mexico have tended to look down on the area historically.  However, the developments along the coast and the explosion of the Valle de Guadalupe has more and more people looking at the area in a favorable light.

[famof4togo]

I am still needing a good place to post up and eat and drink off ship that is not too far.... anyone have any suggestions there????????

[BrwnEyedGirl35]

I too have been searching for something to do in Ensenada that doesn't require me to book an excursion. I did see a few youtube videos of places to eat in Ensenada, that might be helpful to you. Enjoy!!

[SelectSys]

22 hours ago, famof4togo said:

I am still needing a good place to post up and eat and drink off ship that is not too far.... anyone have any suggestions there????????

What type of place do you want in terms of food and ambience?  Also, how long do you want to “post up?”

Edited March 5, 2022 by SelectSys

[famof4togo]

2 hours ago, SelectSys said:

What type of place do you want in terms of food and ambience?  Also, how long do you want to “post up?”

Close...convenient...casual...fun...music...yummy food...good drinks...nothing fancy...itll just be a group of middle aged ladies...TIA

[SelectSys]

4 hours ago, famof4togo said:

Close...convenient...casual...fun...music...yummy food...good drinks...nothing fancy...itll just be a group of middle aged ladies...TIA

I really am not sure about an “all in one” destination.  I hate to say it, but maybe Papas and Beer would work for you.  It’s casual and it has music - at least you can hear it from the street.  I can’t say anything about the food or drinks because I have never been inside.

 

If you go there, you might also go into Husong’s Cantina which is just down the street.  Husong’s attracts everyone especially at night.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

On 3/4/2022 at 11:46 AM, famof4togo said:

I am still needing a good place to post up and eat and drink off ship that is not too far.... anyone have any suggestions there????????

 

La Guerrerense, La Bête Noire, Birrieria La Guadalajara, Sabina Restaurante, El Rey Sol Restaurant, Boules and La Cocedora de Langosta (Puerto Nuevo style lobster).

[kjenaz]

If you walk to the GIANT flag pole and turn towards town, after going over the main hwy on the right side of the street is a great Shrimp Taco and cheap Beer place.  After lunch go upstairs for a great tour that teaches you how Hacienda Dona grow and create Tequila.  With the tour you get 4 shots of great tequila.  Educational and entertaining.  We had a really good time.

[SelectSys]

On 3/10/2022 at 12:31 AM, scottca075 said:

El Rey Sol Restaurant

I am much more a fan of this restaurant for breakfast than dinner/lunch.  Went with some friends a couple of months back for dinner and felt the whole place is a bit tired at night.  Maybe it was just me.

 

I do like sitting out front on the street for breakfast here. I like their "machaca mantarraya" which is made from sting ray - I think.  I also think the pastries are pretty good.