Our Baja newsletter, and other articles and resources for Baja fans.
Norte Baja
Newsletter
SUMMER 2025
Baja Articles
NORTE BAJA Our Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Hey This water is COLD!
You saw the Baja pictures on the internet and you thought you were coming to a beach paradise, but nobody told you about the water temperature! Yup. The Pacific Ocean on the northern Baja coastline has a special set of circumstances called: ‘The Upwelling Current’.
What this means is that the structure of the mostly volcanic coastline underwater drops off quite a bit and relatively suddenly a few hundred yards from shore. These are the rocky underwater cliffs basically that run all along the coast until you get up to San Diego. What happens is that the cold water from down on the bottom hits an underwater wall and gets pushed up. The water doesn’t have much of a chance to warm up by the time it gets to the beach.
But it’s so warm in the summer, doesn’t that translate to the water temperature? Actually, it does – but only if you go offshore. Ask serious fishermen who go after tuna 50 miles offshore. The water is much warmer out there, because the entire surface is continually absorbing the rays of the sun. If you go to Coronado Island in San Diego area for example, there is a long shallow gradual sandy bottom that goes out for a long way. The water in these shallows has a chance to warm up, making it much more pleasant for swimming.
Most of the year in Baja California – at least on the Pacific side, the water is between 59 degrees (super brisk) and maybe 67 (still friggin cold). There are beautiful waves and its super scenic but these temperatures are preferred more by lobsters than humans. In the dead of August and September the water temperatures may reach a peak of 72 degrees. Nice but still, not the relaxed balmy temps you want to languish in all day.
Water Temps 59 - 68 degrees
So- what do you do?
You’re here in beautiful Baja Norte but you can’t go in the water? Well, of course you can, the answer is what every serious California Water man will tell you – is to get a wetsuit. A Full Wetsuit. Yes, they might seem a trifle expensive but believe me, it will become one of your most favorite possessions for years to come. Now you can get out there and float around, swim, kayak, boogie board, and honestly you will be safer in addition to being more comfortable.
Cold water can be a serious thing and a shock to the system you don’t need if you’re getting older, but a wetsuit in Baja will mean you can get out there and float around at any time of year and hey – if you’re travelling to some mountain lakes somewhere you’ll be glad you have it as well. Going fishing all day in an open panga? Bring your wetsuit. Kayaking far out there? Bring your wetsuit. Fishing along the coast and want to wade out to throw your line further? Bring your wetsuit. Bar-B-Cueing on the beach on a colder day? Go for a splash and a soak and be glad you’ll have the wetsuit on when the wind is blowing on the beach.
A Full wetsuit is your ticket to fun in Baja California Mexico. Don’t leave home without it.
How Do You Define Excellence in the
Baja Restaurant Scene?
With so many great restaurants to choose from in Baja California, (over 300 in Rosarito alone) how can we digest every dimension of each place, their offerings and commitment to the customer?
Elegance might be one measure that applies to some of the establishments in Baja California. Take for example the fine dining room of Saverios in Tijuana’s Gastronomy district, or the French Inspired over the top - El Rey Sol in Ensenada’s vibrant downtown, or perhaps the Michelin star worthy Japas at the Punta Morro Hotel where you will be pampered and attended to like royalty with China and crystal tableware.
Getting personalized treatment is not a monopoly in Baja’s restaurants in any of Baja’s regional food scenes. From Mexicali’s exotic Craft Breweries like The 686 which offers small batch artisan quality with a culinary edge they are will twist your arm to sample their art.
Being proud of your menu has become the rage in Valle de Guadalupe’s Chef-lead menu’s of the day where you will eat what they are cooking that day. Fuego Cocina del Valle, Deckman’s or Trentino Restaurante are a few that offer to take the decision making away from you and let the Chef show off. You won’t regret it.
Another Great Music Festival For Rosarito
October 10-12
The United Roots Charity Music Festival is a vibrant three-day celebration of music, culture, and community taking place October 10–12 at the stunning Las Rocas Resort & Spa in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, this unique festival brings together local and international reggae and roots musicians for a powerful cause: to raise support and awareness for orphanages, women’s shelters, and local farmers throughout Baja California.
The weekend kicks off Friday with a VIP Wine Dinner & Private Concert, offering guests a curated culinary experience paired with live music. Later that evening, the energy shifts outdoors for an open-air concert spotlighting the rich and rhythmic sounds of Baja California reggae and vibes artists.
Saturday is an all-day music extravaganza with over 10 performances on two stages, featuring an exciting mix of international reggae and roots acts. Festivalgoers can explore a vibrant marketplace of local food vendors, artists, and crafts, while those seeking a premium experience can enjoy VIP access with elevated amenities.
On Sunday, the festival winds down with music and art by the infinity pool, overlooking the ocean. A special ceremony and performance will mark the official closing of the event, making for a meaningful finale on Columbus Day weekend.
Hotel accommodations are available for both VIP and General Admission guests, creating a full weekend retreat at one of the coast’s most scenic resorts.
United Roots Festival is proudly presented in partnership with Baja Angels of the Sea, a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ensuring that every beat and every moment directly supports those most in need in the Baja community—through the love and magic of music.
SUMMER CAMPING!
Camping - Glamping - Or RV ?
Check out our complete Baja California Camping Guide
Is It Time To
Fix Something?
Hey we all need something fixed or corrected these days. Good news is Baja California Mexico is a
Go-To destination for Medical Tourism. Yup, everything from lower cost Dental Work and Breast Augmentation to Lifestyle Lifts and Bariatric Surgery.
Baja Medical Treatments have come a long way and are a great resource for Baja visitors as well as local Expats. Check out these links for different Baja providers in the area.
Baja California Fish Reports
In Ensenada this week, anglers are finding success with a mix of inshore and offshore species. The inshore bite is producing good numbers of bonito, white seabass, and various rockfish. Offshore, dorado (mahi-mahi) are responding well to surface lures, and there are reports of wahoo and roosterfish near rocky points. Weather conditions can be variable, so it's wise to be prepared for calm windows of opportunity.
Specific Fishing Reports:
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Kelp Bass: @Chasey_Boi2 reported a good catch of kelp bass.
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Pacific Bluefin Tuna: @mikebonifacio reported a nice Pacific bluefin tuna catch.
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White Seabass: @dannymagdaleno reported a good white seabass catch.
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Eastern Pacific Bonito: @csanchez8832 reported a good catch of Eastern Pacific bonito.
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Striped Bonito: @donaldana reported a good catch of striped bonito.
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Dorado (Mahi-Mahi): Solid catches are being made offshore, responding well to surface lures.
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Wahoo: Active near rocky points and drop-offs.
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Roosterfish: Also active near rocky points and drop-offs.
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Yellowtail: While the bite has been spotty recently, there are still some quality fish to be caught, particularly around Punta Banda.
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Lingcod: Anglers are finding good lingcod catches along with yellowtail off Punta Banda.
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Ocean Whitefish, Johnny Bass, Sheephead, and Rockfish: These inshore species are also available.
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Sand Bass and Sculpin: There's been a good bite on sand bass and sculpin at the Imperial Beach Pier and other spots.
Excellence has as one of its defining characteristics, another dimension called ‘Quality’. In Baja quality is strongly associated with fresh local ingredients. Whether it be seafood still wriggling right out of the ocean with fresh fish, octopus and clams in places like La Guerrerense Food Truck on a busy corner in Ensenada or the famous Eucalipto restaurant in San Quintin where giant Sonoran Rib eyes are grilled in front of you with local Oysters on the side.
Excellent local produce is grown here as well as the standard local fare, with much of it being sold to stores in the states like Trader Joe’s and Wholefoods for a lot more money. Wine goes with everything and that’s locally made too with the finest wines in Mexico made in the backyard in Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe Wine Country (See our list of Baja Wineries).
Value, of course is one of the main features of Baja’s food scene, and stands in sharp contrast to the high prices a few miles north over the border. Many Expat retirees who have moved to Baja will tell you that their fixed incomes go a lot further without sacrificing quality of what they eat because of what is available in Baja. From $2 dollar awesome Carne Asada Tacos to lobster Dinners at Puerto Nuevo for $22 and all the fixings. There are many great restaurant deals from $5 pizza Mondays and Taco Tuesdays to amazing full on Lamb Dinners for less than what it cost for lunch for 2 at Carl's Junior.
Atmosphere is something Baja has in abundance. Awesome ocean views that out-do the chicest few and far between restaurants where you can get anywhere near the ocean in places like Los Angeles. Live music everywhere, big comfortable tables and furniture and no one rushing you along trying to flip your table to get another set of diners in as fast as possible.
Tijuana’s old traditional eateries like La Differentia and Sin Anos have an Andre Segovia look alike playing amazing classical guitar under soft candle light. Even at the rough and ready Popotla fishing village you can sit outside on the patio and feed hovering seagulls tortillas chips by hand as you use a beach rock to crack open giant crab legs while the surf crashes below. I mean, where else can you do that?
Commitment to the customer is personified by Baja restauranteurs who recognize the value of a returning customer and yes - they will remember your name and treat you like their own family by the end of your meal. The warmth of Baja will create a level of comfort and relaxation that’s hard to find in other parts of the world. Why do you think people keep returning to this magical place?
If you’re looking for a safe and fun, warm and welcoming high quality and reasonably priced restaurant experience – you have found it here in Baja California Mexico.
BAJA
NATURE
FACTS
GOLDEN SILK ORBWEAVER
(Trichonephila clavipes): Known for its incredibly strong, golden-hued webs that can span several feet, this large and elegant spider is a remarkable sight. The females are much larger than the males and are often seen hanging in their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, waiting for prey.
(Not poisonous) See More Baja Insects
LOOKING FOR SOME ADVENTURE?
Check Out Our Baja Tour Operators Guide
BAJA BEACH PROJECTED ROSARITO WORLDWIDE: PROMOTERS... #Rosarito. - A great projection of Rosarito for the world wide, I leave the massive beach festival known as the Baja Beach, highlight Cesar Rivera González.
The President of the Association of Hotels and Motels of Rosarito (HMPR, indicated that with an estimated attendance exceeded 25 thousand people, the festival not only filled almost to the maximum the hotel offer of the city, but also benefited "Airbnb" owners and entrepreneurs who rent your homes or condominiums and offer services during this season.
The total economic outflow in accommodation is estimated at 72 million pesos, generating a direct impact on hundreds of families and local businesses.
“Beyond the numbers, the Baja Beach Fest projects Rosarito Beaches at the national and international level as a vibrant destination, capable of hosting great events and offering unique seaside experiences, strengthening its image as a meeting point for music, culture and the tourism," he mentioned.
He emphasized that the success of the “Baja Beach Fest” is a reflection of the collective work between organizers, tourism sector, community and authorities, and that maintaining these results in a complex context is a cause of pride and an achievement that demonstrates the relevance of this festival to our region.
"We thank the Organizing Committee for their dedication and joint effort to make this successful edition possible," he said.
Rivera Gonzalez added that, in the face of the 2026 edition, the Hotel Association and the Organizing Committee will work together to manage more resources in promotion and advertising, with the firm purpose that "next year we will not only match, but exceed these results." We invite all sectors to join from now on this collective effort to continue showing the world the greatness of Rosarito Beaches.
Finally the president of the Association of Hotels and Moteles de Beaches of Rosarito reiterated the importance of continuing to promote and support artistic, cultural, nature and adventure events, strategically integrating our tourist product to diversify the offer and consolidate the value chain that makes Beaches de Rosarito a unique and competitive destination," he concluded.
Editorial August 19, 2025 #7DINFO
By Gerardo Diaz.
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