Location: Tecate
Top Things to do in Tecate
6 Things to Do in Tecate That You Shouldn't Miss
Tecate (Spanish (help·info)) is a city in Baja California, Mexico, and the municipal seat of Tecate Municipality. It is on the border with Tecate, California, United States and it part of the San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. There is a small port of entry between the sister cities that serves as an alternative to the bustling ports of entry in Tijuana. As of 2015, the city of Tecate had a population of 72,860 inhabitants, while the metropolitan area has a population of 102,406 inhabitants. The city sits at an elevation of 1,770 feet (540 m) above sea level.
Restaurants in Tecate
1. Rancho La Puerta
Overall Ratings
5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By ctk714 - Orange County, California
I have been returning almost annually over the past 12 years with friends. It is a perfect escape for everyone-singles to couples.The majority are single women or groups of female friends coming for a relaxing escape. I have met many single women who are there post divorce, newly retired, or going through a stressful time. It is a great place to find peace and solitude, but also a place to enjoy camaraderie.
Daily options for exercise range from early morning hikes to yoga and pilates classes to salsa and pole dancing and drumming. Stretch classes and a fully equipped gym are available. Their in house instructors are excellent. They know how to instruct safely and effectively. I am a gym rat at home, so I love to do the hikes, yoga and pilates there to mix up my home routine. Daily meditation sessions and lectures on nutrition, relaxation and other topics are available. I love the Sacred Bowls (Tibetan singing bowls) class taught by Maya. There are guest speakers, evening guest performers (musicians), and guest yoga instructors every week. Deborah Szekely, the founder, in her 90s, speaks every week, and I always find her very inspiring. She also founded Golden Door.
Check out the website for all of the activities available. Best months to go are the spring and fall. Summers are hot, although that's when they run special prices. The food is mostly vegetarian, but they have expanded to offering fish and seafood a few times a week. They have their own organic farm so much of the produce is from their own garden. The current chef is terrific, much better than before. I was last there in April, 2016 and the strawberries, beets and lettuce were delicious. Even lettuce tastes so much better freshly picked. I could go on and on about this place. It is the best place to get "centered", refreshed, in shape and even shed a few pounds. Could you ask for more??!
2. Zona Arqueologico de Vallecitos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Al C - Fallbrook, California
Visited this site again on January 19, 2014. It was a beautiful warm day. The last time we came it was cold and rainy, so this was a much better experience. We spent 2 1/2 hours exploring the well marked trails and really enjoyed exploring this rocky terrain and finding the ancient cave paintings left behind by the Kumeyaeh (sp) Indians. We went on a Sunday and found out they do not charge an entrance fee on Sundays. I was charged a video camera fee of 45 pesos or about $3.75. The rocky desert landscape is so beautiful. I am not a photographer but the beauty here is unbelieveable. I loved all the natural plants and rock formations. I am sure this is how California looked when the Spaniards showed up here. The succulents, cactus, trees, manzanita, pines etc are so beautiful and in their natural state. We were in kind of a hurry but could have easily spent another hour or two exploring. Bring a picnic lunch and you wold have a great day trip. The town of Tecate, Mexico is a quintessential small Mexican town with a central plaza downtown. You will not see any tourists here, so what you see is daily life of a small Mexican town. The church, a block away from the plaza is old and beautiful. The "fast food" carts right off the plaza are out of this world and serve much more than tacos etc. The border crossing in and out of Tecate is nothing like getting into or out of Tijuana. From San Diego, take the 94 highway east and follow the signs to the Tecate turn off. Tecate is only about 30 miles from San Diego.
3. Tecate Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By LagunaLizzy - Laguna Niguel, California
November 18, 2015 – Tecate Brewery Tours are currently not offered – will resume in 2017.
My intent was to schedule tour dates in NOV / DEC 2015. Telephone numbers and email address previously listed are no longer current. However, I sent a request via email to [email protected] and had a reply within hours.
First email reply I received requested information regarding the tour date request: 1. How many people in group. 2. Request for tour of which brewery. (Tecate, Monterrey, Navojoa & Guadalajara). 3. Any particular date / time requested for your tour? 4. Is your group an organized trip; business or school? 5. Full address of person requesting tour. 6. Telephone number of person requesting tour.
I replied and the response (from Cerveceria Cuahtemoc Moctezuma) was – At the moment tours of the Tecate Brewery are not offered, due to remodeling taking place. Tours will resume in 2017.
4. Museo Comunitario Kumiai
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By ladyjadegd - Escondido, California
The Tecate Community Museum is a history and culture museum that introduces visitors to the history of the Tecate area. It is only three years old and continues to grow.
There are a couple of highlights and the most complete exhibit is a wonderful history of the Kumiai (Kumeyaay) Indians that used to live in the area. Housed in a domed room with awesome acoustics that they call the Cavern of Ancestors. In this room they explore what they call the "pre-hostoric" era and it focuses on the flora, fauna, natural features of the land and then the Kumiai people and how they lived, ate, interacted, and the handmade items they created. You could actually spend about an hour in there and everything is in both English and Spanish and includes computer and video exhibits as well as some artifacts.
There is a model of a traditional Kumiai home in the style after Europeans arrived and also a botanical garden that provides examples of native plants.
There is a house that is considered the "historical" period and it includes examples of furniture, photographs, equipment, household goods, etc. It is a start, but can use some work and they have room to grow in there.
The third exhibit is considered the "contemporary" period and is a new building that is still under construction. The first floor however is partially set up as a exhibit of the railroad. It's REALLY well done, especially for not being finished and interesting! This is the second highlight of the museum.
There is also a gift shop with kind of a weird mish-mash of stuff, but I bought some jewelry with the excuse that I was helping to assist the community since I had free tour! there are restrooms on site and they do sell bottles of cold beverages in the gift shop. They also take credit cards in the gift shop.
The museum is really nice and probably more focused towards kids and school groups, but we enjoyed it and probably would have enjoyed it even more if it weren't over 100 degrees at the time! it's located right next to the awesome sports complex. Recommended!
5. Parque Miguel Hidalgo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By mlove999
This probably is the main central area to Tecate. Peaceful and relaxing. Vendor booths for items and souvenirs.
6. Canada del Sol
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Jose V - Tijuana, Mexico
Es lugar es ideal para salir con la familia , amigos, pareja etc... Cuenta con renta de cabañas, areas para acampar, asadores, baños .alberca que solo esta abierta en temporada de verano, botes de basura etc. Puedes andar en bicicleta o en moto. Fácil camino de acceso, ya que desde la carretera hasta la entrada al rancho es camino de asfalto.
A menos de 5 minutos por la carretera encontraras un Oxxo,
Recomendación : lleva todo lo que necesitas para pasar un día muy agradable en familia, ropa de cama, y abrigos, ya que por la noche estará algo frió.
