Vacation Activities in Tijuana

One of Mexico's major tourist cities, Tijuana is located directly south of the United States border, just 12 miles (19 kilometers) from San Diego, California. Tijuana is in the northwestern Mexican state of Baja California Norte. Its shopping and entertainment opportunities have attracted tourists from the United States for many years, and their influence is noticeable.

Tijuana's history dates from 1829 when the region it occupies was part of a large cattle ranch known as Rancho de Tia Juana. The origin of the name is not clearly known. In 1864 a judge was appointed with jurisdiction over Tia Juana, and by 1891 settlers in the area were calling the place Tijuana.

It became a municipality in 1917 and the seat of the municipio of the same name in 1925. The city began to grow significantly during the United States prohibition era from 1919 to 1933 and developed as a gambling and tourist resort.

Things to do: Day Trips

Cultural Center

Address: Paseo de los Heroes at Independencia. Designed and built by Pedro Ramirez Vasquez, architect of Mexico City's famous Museum of Anthropology, the Cultural Center houses the Space Center where extra-large-screen science oriented films are exhibited.

Mexitlan

Address: Avenida Ocampo entre calles 2 y 3. Scaled-down depictions of principal archeological, architectural and colonial structures throughout Mexico set on a map covering over 150,000 square feet on the roof of a parking lot. Sort of a quick walk-through tour of Mexico.

Mundo Divertido

Address: Plaza Rio. "Happy World" is an eclectic combination of activities including batting cages, miniature golf and roller coaster, among others. Plenty of food concessions available.

Museum of Mexican Identities

Address: Centro Cultural Tijuana. Historical, archaeological and anthropological displays depict life of certain Mexican ethnic groups.

Tijuana Wax Museum

Address: Calle 1 at Avenida Madero. Tel. 688-2478. Collection of wax figures that includes Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and other Mexican and American stars, plus Mexican historical personnae.

Return to top