Tecate, not ordinarily a tourist destination, is more than just an entry point into Baja. This little town has a lot to offer, and when I stay there, I usually opt for the Hotel Hacienda. The Hacienda is easy to get to, it’s comfortable, it’s inexpensive, and it’s next door to one of the best restaurants in all of Tecate.
As the map above indicates, the Hacienda is easy to get to. You just go south into Mexico about two blocks after crossing the border, hang a right to head west on Avenida Benito Juarez, and ride about a mile. The Hacienda will be on your right.
The Hacienda isn’t fancy, but it’s comfortable and clean, and the parking is secure (you park in a courtyard and you won’t have to worry about your motorcycle). The last time I was there, a room was about $35, and they always have hot coffee available in the oficina. What’s great about the Hacienda is that Malinalli’s is next door. Malinalli’s is absolutely one of the best ever for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I’ll tell you more about Malinalli’s in a minute.
Tecate is home to the beer company of the same name, and most folks think of Tecate as a gritty industrial town. Trust me on this: There’s a lot more to Tecate than just a beer company.
On the U.S. side, Tecate is not much more than the U.S. Customs and Immigration station; on the Mexican side, Tecate (population 102,000) is a much larger and far more intriguing place. Founded in 1892, Tecate’s history reaches back 12,000 years when the region was settled by the Kumeyaay Native Americans who still inhabit the area.
Getting to Tecate is a beautiful ride in itself. California SR 94 winds its way through the mountains just north of the border. Roughly 25 miles east of where 94 originates near San Diego, take a right on 2-mile-long SR 188 and you’re there. There’s a sign warning you not to bring guns into Mexico (duh), and suddenly, you’re crossing the border. There are no Mexican officials or inspections as you enter; you just ride right in. You can do that going south; don’t try it going north.
Even if your plans are for a longer and deeper Baja visit, my advice is to spend at least one night in Tecate and enjoy the town’s best kept secret, which is the cuisine. Two restaurants that stand out are Amores for dinner and Malinalli Sabores Autóctonos for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Malinalli Sabores Autóctonos, right next to the Hotel Hacienda, has exquisite regional Mexican recipes, all prepared with fresh ingredients. Don’t think salsa and chips; this is the real deal and the cuisine is both exceptional and inexpensive. When Gresh and I did the Enfield trip a couple of years ago, we parked our bikes directly in front of Malinalli’s (as you can see in the big photo at the top of this blog) and we ate there both on the way into Mexico and on the way. Sue loves this place, too.
Amores, nestled between the central plaza and the Tecate brewery, features local foods and wines. It’s a dinner spot, it’s what you might call haute cuisine, and it is absolutely outstanding. It’s prices are higher than what you might ordinarily encounter in Tecate, but it’s still inexpensive by US standards. They offer a choice of how many courses you might have for dinner, but the choices are what the staff feels like cooking that day. You won’t be disappointed; this is a memorable dining experience.
If your tastes run to simpler dining experiences, Tecate has you covered there, too. There are numerous taco stands along Benito Juarez, and if there’s a bad one, I haven’t found it yet. Watching the chefs prepare tacos is a treat unto itself, and they are absolutely delicious.
I usually try to work my Baja visits such that Tecate is my point of entry and my point of exit. I like staying in the Hotel Hacienda and enjoying what Tecate has to offer, and bookending a Baja visit with a stay in this cool little town always works well for me.
Want to see more about our travels in Baja? Check out our Baja and Epic Rides pages!
If you’re headed into Baja, make sure you insure with BajaBound Insurance. It’s the best!
The best budget bikes for Baja? You might be surprised!
Never miss an ExNotes blog!
Read about our other favorite hotels in Baja!
Santa Rosalia’s Frances Hotel
Mulege’s Historico Las Casitas
Bahia San Quintin’s Old Mill
Sounds like a wonderful place to start and finish a ride in Mexico. Smaller bikes just seem to make more sense there, I love my Indian Vintage Chief, but agree that the Royal Enfield Bullet or Interceptor might be better. I rode a Honda PC 800 all over the western US and on dirt roads too. Many years ago I had a dream of riding an NSU Supermax to Mexico City and beyond. Oh, well.
I’ve done most of my Baja riding on a 250cc CSC. Rode to Cabo and back one on a 150cc scooter. Smaller bikes just make more sense.
I like this, the whole vibe. Unfortunately I’m in NY the Capital District. Presently run by Chester the Molester, Emperor Andrew Cuomo. Cold and windy here, looks like a great ride though.
It is a great ride. NY. I grew up (aged would be a better word) one state over. East coast politicians are a special kind of evil. But then, so are west coast politicians. And the ones in between. The problem is that all the people who really know how to run the country are out riding their motorcycles and writing/reading blogs…
Boy Gresh, u just changed my mind about ever visiting Mexico . I don’t think I would need to go any farther than Tecate. That food (sans octopus) fresh beer and tequila , and a decent place to flop! Mmmm!
Tecate is a cool little town and the food is just incredible.
Do they even have Salsa and Chips in Mexico ? Do they even let All American H-D Sportsters into Mexico? Do they let used Sportsters back into the USA?
If yes, then when are you going next time?
Asking for a friend…
Yes to salsa and chips, yes to Sportsters in Mexico (although I doubt they are all American), and they let them back into the US. Next time we’re doing is TBD at this point.