9 Fun Things to Do with Kids Near Ensenada, Mexico
There exist many a list about what to do in Ensenada, but we are here to make the case that there is so much more to Baja Norte, the northern part of Baja California, Mexico, than just Ensenada. Explore the area around Ensenada and be sure to check out these awesome spots, great for kids and adults to enjoy!
Painted trees, La Estrella Guadalupe, Valle De Guadalupe
1: La Cocina de Doña Esthela
Slightly off of the main road in Valle De Guadalupe is La Cocina de Doña Esthela, a true gem with prices that will make you want to try everything on the menu. They don’t make it easy to get here: the road is gravel, uphill, and bumpy, and the line of cars waiting to park on weekends might make you want to turn around and leave other, knowing patrons in a cloud of dust. Don’t! We promise the wait is worth it. When you park, put your name in and check out the pigs, cows, goats, and chickens on the ranch. The best part of the wait? Your kids can play to their hearts’ content on the outdoor playground, equipped with slides, bridges, and swings.
Unlike many parts of Valle de Guadalupe, the clientele is predominantly local, which is awesome because that’s why you’re in another country, right? When you’re seated, make sure to sip on a warm cafe de olla and get some chocolate milk or fresh orange juice for the kids. A favorite for our kids were the elote (Mexican street corn) hot cakes.
The menu is all in Spanish, so if you’re not comfortable reading or speaking it, make sure to have a translator app (like Google Translate) downloaded on your phone. La Cocina de Doña Esthela is open six days a week (closed on Mondays).
2: No Whining, Just Wining
While you’re in Valle de Guadalupe, it would only make sense to get some wine from one of the wineries. There are over 100, so there is certainly one for you! Some wineries are not kid-friendly, while others allow children over a certain double-digit age. Check before you go for reservation and age requirements!
If your children are young, and like most parents with young children, you don’t want to have to focus on other winery goers’ displeasure regarding the behavior of your wild little ones (ahem, been there), you might prefer a tried-and-true, kid-friendly winery, like Finca Altozano. The main seating area is outdoor, covered, and beautiful, but what is truly captivating is sitting in under a canopy of trees in the restaurant’s yard. The good vibes are palpable, and the children are free to be children. There are onsite goats and sheep, and next door to Finca Altozano, just steps away, is a cute ice cream shop with delectable flavors.
3: Experience La Bufadora
La Bufadora is a marine blowhole, not a geyser! While a geyser is created by a thermal source, La Bufadora is the result of air getting trapped in a sea cave and exploding upwards. The water from waves pushes the air into the cave, and when the waves recede, the air is released with a BOOM, spouting water up to 100 feet in the air. It’s quite something when the waves are particularly large, leading to water that rains down on the unsuspecting crowd. Legend has it that La Bufadora is a whale that became stuck in the rocks, spouting water to attract its pod’s attention, but eventually turned to stone.
Unlike many natural sites, La Bufadora is an experience, not just something you view. To get here, you can drive or take a bus (there are tours available from Ensenada as well) along a cliffside road with views you cannot beat. Parking is inexpensive (around $3-4) and there is no fee for walking down to the attraction, but prepare to be bombarded by a swarm of vendors on the crowded walkway. Some might find this slightly off-putting, but it is certainly something that you won’t forget. Vendors will haggle if you wish, and samples of churros, virgin piña colada, and even tequila abound. There are a few restaurants with amazing tacos galore, and while they come with the cost of being in a tourist area, they are worth it for the view, the atmosphere, and the quality.
4: Visit the Beach
Arguably, the most compelling reason to visit Ensenada is the surrounding beaches. Miles of quiet, sandy beaches await you, and pricing for hotel or house rentals on the beach can be quite cost-effective. Dogs are allowed on most beaches, but don’t expect an active dog beach here: the distance between another family and yours is a luxury not known on the beaches due north in San Diego. In fact, you might not see another soul for hours on some of the beaches just south of Ensenada.
Take out some boogie boards and paddleboards (rental shops abound) or relax with a quiet picnic lunch as you try to spot dolphins or even whales at sea. As always, respect the Earth and pack out what you packed in!
You can get an Airbnb with this kind of view for less than you think.
5: Go Out to Eat
Going to a restaurant in the United States with young kids can be…difficult. They get bored easily, and sometimes that boredom manifests itself as loud, crazy behavior that makes you want to sink under the booth and disappear. In Mexico, though, they seem to understand kids’ needs better and it seems that half of the restaurants are equipped with awesome play structures. Your kids can play while you wait for food or a table without having to dine at a McDonalds.
While we are on the topic of playgrounds, you need to take your kids to at least one while you’re in the country. Mexico’s playgrounds are built with entertainment (and sometimes exercise) in mind, and kids will tucker themselves out just in time for you to sit on your beachside patio and enjoy the bottle of wine you got in Valle de Guadalupe.
6: Get Out of This World at Punto en el Cosmos [NOW CLOSED]
And speaking of eating…you could argue that Punto en el Cosmos would make more sense in New Mexico than Mexico, but that’s half the fun of this quirky alien-themed restaurant. Aliens abound, from styrofoam representations to full-on alien mannequins that the restaurant uses as hilarious models on its Facebook page.
Surprisingly, the aliens are only half of what makes this place a visually striking—at this point in the cosmos, the food is truly out of this world. The drinks are treats for the eyes and mouth combined: make sure to order a cosmic milkshake (malteada cósmica) or a frappe cósmico or…okay, honestly, just find something with the word cósmico/a on the menu and order it because no regrets will be had. Just…so…beautiful and delectable.
Punto en el Cosmos is a gem in, well, literally the middle of a field, and it makes a great stop on the way to La Bufadora or any of the beaches in that area. The restaurant boasts indoor and outdoor seating with a full patio and is open every day from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. except Wednesdays (closed). The food and drinks come at extremely good value, and there is a wide variety for everyone, with plenty of vegetarian/vegan options. And, of course, there is a small play area on which your kids can entertain themselves while you help yourself to half of their milkshake. Ahem. Not that you would ever do that.
7: Experience Tranquility At Punta Banda Estuary
The Punta Banda Estuary is a cool spot for anyone who likes the outdoors. Several different types of birds, including blue herons, egrets, sand plovers, and more, flock to this sanctuary on a thin strip of land on which one side lies the sea and one side the estuary. Education and preservation is the goal of the reserve, so keep in mind proper etiquette and trash disposal.
With a trail that is approximately a one-mile loop, this is a nice spot for little kids to walk and learn about the birds that live on the sanctuary. If your Spanish isn’t strong, don’t worry: signs are in both English and Spanish. Finding your way to Punta Banda Estuary might not be easy—the main left turn off of Hwy 23 is not obvious, so follow signs for Estero Punta Banda and also use a GPS if you have one. You will come to a guard station; tell the guard that you are headed to La Reserva del Estero Punta Banda and they will let you in. The estuary is at the end of the road, and you can park there.
8: Practice Your Spanish
What better way to immerse yourself in a language than to visit a country with that language as its mother tongue? Practice the language with your Spanish learners and emphasize the importance and usefulness of acquiring a second (or third) language. Even better, there exists an opportunity to help your child realize what ESL students/adults go through in the U.S. when communicating and reading. Putting your children (and yourself) in their shoes helps build a stronger world view…progress!
9: Grab Some Cheesy ‘Za At Alfonso’s
Okay, okay, this one is in Ensenada, but the pizza is worth it. Unassuming and charmingly drab, this pizza place serves up unique flavor with a thick crust and lots and lots of cheese. Not in the mood for pizza? They also have Italian food, with several vegetarian options, and even come through on a hot breakfast. Close to the plaza and fountains, Alfonso’s is easy to access, but if you want your pizza delivered by motorcycle (no, not some zippy scooter—an actual motorcycle!), they can do that for you as well. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available. Best of all, while eating out on vacation can be hard on the family budget, Alfonso’s is deliciously cost-effective.
And hey…you can pick up a couple and take them on the drive over the border! Check out tips on crossing the Tijuana border.
