Forget Napa! Ride California’s Exciting New Ferry Straight Into Mexico’s Wine Country
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Finally! Californians have a brand new handy approach to attain Mexico with out the trouble of Customs.
As you’ve got absolutely heard on the information, simply because we’re neighbors doesn’t suggest you may cross over both aspect all willy-nilly.
Tons might be stated in regards to the border, however one side is plain – wait instances are unpredictable, and after they’re dangerous, they’re actually dangerous!
It is stated Tijuana is residence to the busiest border on this planet, drawing an impenetrable line within the sand between a pair of fascinating locations.
Slightly than go to Napa Valley, the inarguable wine king of California, Southern Californians typically select to remain nearer to residence by crossing into Mexico’s stunning area of Valle de Guadalupe for world-class wineries and beautiful surroundings.
A new thrilling ferry makes the method a lot simpler.
Skip the daunting traces and take a straight shot to the Northern Baja port metropolis of Ensenada.
Azteca Ferry: The New Straightforward Route To Wine Nation
Azteca Ferries would be the operator for the one ferry connecting Californians to Mexico. Cruises are a unique story, clearly.
For vacationers eager to discover extra of Baja past Tijuana, you need to make an vital choice: Do you wish to threat getting caught in line coming again residence for hours on finish?
Regardless of what number of TikToks you may scroll by means of for 3 hours, it is not a superb time.
That is why I am additional excited to find this new ferry, particularly as somebody who has lived in San Diego for 10 years, in all probability crossed into Tijuana no less than 200 instances, and by no means made it to Ensenada, one in all Baja’s most missed gems.
Reaching Ensenada is sort of actually a ache.
It is so shut, but so distant. Roughly 90 minutes from Tijuana, Ensenada is each a preferred cruise port and gateway into Mexico’s underrated wine nation.
These 90 minutes again to the border can flip into 5 hours if the traces are backed up.
That is why this ferry trip is such excellent news to flee the trouble by departing from San Diego, reasonably than even stepping foot in Tijuana.
Tip: See if you happen to’re eligible for a SENTRI card, the kryptonite to bypass border traces. New appointment openings are launched between 10am – 11am, so refresh the web page when reserving!
What To Anticipate
Whereas Azteca Ferries’ web site continues to be fairly naked bones, native publication San Diego Red revealed some juicy perception.
For the report, there isn’t a official departure date. “Coming quickly” teases us on Azteca’s web site. The nice factor is that Valle de Guadalupe is nice to go to any time of 12 months.
In keeping with San Diego Purple, these would be the departure instances:
- San Diego to Ensenada can be from 11:30am to three:30pm and from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
- Ensenada to San Diego can be from 7:00am to 9:30am and from 3:00pm to five:30pm.
Pricing isn’t official both, however these are the anticipated ticket costs:
- Single journey – $70
- Spherical-trip – $130
Though, kids and senior residents could also be eligible for reductions.
Regardless of being out on the open sea, the most effective perks can be wifi and food and drinks service, which is able to absolutely supply native wine aboard for a pattern of what you are getting your self into.
The boat will seat 300 passengers.
Ensenada To Tecate: Mexico’s Most Underrated Journey
There are lots of methods to achieve Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. Earlier than this ferry, my private choice was by means of Tijuana’s next-door neighbor of Tecate.
Most frequently, individuals start their journey by means of the ‘Napa of Mexico’ from Tecate to Ensenada, passing by means of pleasant small cities and lovely wineries alongside the way in which.
With the ferry, you will should do it in reverse order with Ensenada as your start line.
Ensenada itself is primarily generally known as a blip on cruise itineraries and an exceptional seafood vacation spot. In any other case, it is merely a gateway to Northern Baja’s famed wineries.
There are ample tour guides to rent or you may go at it alone. Simply know regardless of Tijuana sketchy status, the remainder of Baja may be very secure.
You will discover some actually superior locations to remain right here too just like the newly opened Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe or my private favourite Santuario Diegueño providing breathtaking views overlooking Tecate.
In keeping with TripAdvisor, these are the highest 3 wineries to go to proper now:
- Xecue Vinicola
- Monte Xanic
- L.A. Cetto Boutique Valle de Guadalupe
Tip: Should you’re simply as into beer as you might be wine, cease on the Tecate plant the place you are given a complimentary beer on arrival.
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