If not designated as an official “Pueblo Magico” (magical city), you would possibly in any other case have second ideas visiting a Mexican border city, largely often known as being dusty and laden with pharmacies.
We’re not saying pharmacies do not exist on each nook, however we’re saying this magical city lives as much as its appeal and is much from being the down-trodden hellscape you would possibly image with out additional data.
Take it from me — I go to Mexico as usually as I can, whether or not crossing on foot from San Diego or swapping California’s chilly waters for all-inclusives and endless sunshine.
In this case, I go to Tecate at the least as soon as yearly. It’s a textbook “hidden gem” so accessible, generally customs agent do not even verify your passport stepping into (however ensure you convey it anyway).
Known because the gateway to wine nation, whereas Baja’s in style Valle de Guadalupe serves because the area’s “Napa”, Tecate is commonly skipped as a mainstay — however not for this man!
I hone in on what I imagine to be arguably Mexico’s prettiest lodge, perched atop a hill in an unsuspecting neighborhood, overlooking Tecate’s rugged mountain backdrop and residential to certainly one of Northern Baja’s most famed eateries, Asao, the place each dish is impossibly scrumptious from ceviche to birria and higher-end objects like steaks.
Santuario Diegueño alone, holding a formidable 4.7 Google ranking, makes Tecate definitely worth the detour, whether or not you’re sneaking down from SoCal for the day or easing into your journey by means of the Ruta de Vino.
Welcome To Baja’s Sanctuary
We’ve all seen the beer cans.
Yes, Tecate is dwelling to the extremely in style cerveza sharing the identical identify, however regardless of its boozy repute, it is possible most who move by means of do not realize the extent of Tecate’s cultural heritage.
Santuario Diegueño is an ode to that heritage, because it’s framed as a contemporary reimagining of the sanctuary the Kumeyaay individuals celebrated within the area for hundreds of years.
No, there aren’t any tourist-trap gimmicks or faux-tribal theatrics, however it’s a contemporary Baja retreat rooted in native stone, clay, woodwork, people artwork, and the staggering mountain backdrop that makes Tecate really feel so distinctive compared to Mexico’s family names.
Only costing you within the low $100s all through summer season for a room, this meticulously designed oasis couldn’t be extra inviting with its world-class restaurant serving up unimaginable views simply as exceptional because it’s selective menu of hand-crafted cocktails, sensational modern-meets-local delicacies, and naturally, ice-cold bottles of Tecate.
I’ve made my approach right here at the least as soon as yearly, and I’ve by no means seen it crowded. There’s all the time a poolside lounger open, all the time a barstool on the patio the place the photograph above was taken, and all the time zippy service and no strains it doesn’t matter what time you present up — although you possibly can e book a desk on Resy when you’re an AMEX holder like me.
From Asao’s mountain-view patio to the gleaming pool and cultural touches showcased all through the property like a dwelling museum, it’s such an unimaginable place to decelerate and soak in a facet of Baja most vacationers overlook.
No place is ideal, nevertheless, and this could possibly be attributed to why it by no means appears to attract a crowd regardless of being drop-dead attractive.
It does again as much as the infamous “wall”, which is not precisely probably the most postcard-ready photograph op.
That mentioned, you hardly discover it, however I’ve a sense that is why most individuals skip it in favor of exploring deeper into Valle de Guadalupe for extra open house and on-site wineries as “border town” reputations have not completed any favors for locations like Santuario Diegueño, irrespective of how aesthetically beautiful they might be in the event that they had been constructed wherever else.
Make positive you double verify travel alerts and tourist fees earlier than your journey too.
Free Beer, Local Wine & Small Town Charm
Being a Pueblo Mágico, the small city’s enchantment is off the charts, particularly the middle of city, backed by a timeless cathedral, old-school accommodations, and a mixture of outdated and new eateries reminiscent of matcha cafes and ageless taco joints standing the take a look at of time.
Anchoring the townscape, you possibly can’t miss the intense purple Tecate signal emblazoned on the large brewery that takes up a number of blocks.
This ought to function your North Star, although Tecate does surprisingly have Uber, so that you keep away from the treacherous hills.
Best of all, when you go to the brewery’s beer garden, you get a free beer only for strolling in. Just know hours differ, however even when you’re a Corona loyalist, there aren’t any questions requested.
Being the gateway to wine nation, you do not have to courageous the winding roads dotted with wineries to take pleasure in a glass of the area’s acclaimed wine.
My favourite spot is Vinoteca, only a block away from the principle plaza the place the “action” is — you already know, memento trinkets, beer stands, and the aroma of bacon-wrapped scorching canines scorching on the grill.
It’s half beer backyard, half cozy wine hangout, with principally shaded out of doors seating that makes it approach too straightforward to remain longer than deliberate, like I did yesterday.
Offering all the things from fruit wines to rosé and beer flights so you possibly can pattern brews you’ve by no means heard of, it’s an ideal low-key cease to ease into Tecate with out feeling such as you stumbled into some vacationer entice such as you would possibly end up in neighboring Tijuana.
