Much of the city of Ensenada hugs the coastline of Bahía de Todos Santos between the mountains with small towns and lone streets in between. Action revolves 24/7 around downtown.
Downtown
Picture Tijuana with all of the charm and none of the chaos. Most of the city’s hotels, restaurants, shops, cantinas, clubs, and tourist facilities are located here either along Avenida López Mateos or between avenidas Castillo and Ruiz.
El Malécon and the Port
The malécon, or seafront boulevard, is lined with touristy shops and hotels that front the port and cruise terminals. For many; especially cruise passengers, it is the center of Ensenada.
South along the Coast
South of downtown is where you’ll find La Bufadora, the famous blowhole, clean beaches like Playa Estero and Playa Hermosa, clear waters for divers and snorkelers, and jumping off points for kayakers. The area culminates in the Punta Banda peninsula.
North Along the Coast
Compared to the coast south of the city, the northerly coast seems desolate and underdeveloped. Nonetheless, it is home to some of the area’s most luxurious beach hotels and resorts like Casa Natalie and Hacienda Baja Maras well as crumbling Dominican missions.
Wine Country
Ranches, lodges, haciendas, vineyards and wineries are found scattered about the mountains, hillsides, and desert valleys of wine country along highway 3 (both north and south of the center).
