Directions to Rosarito and Ensenada
Cross the border into Mexico from I-5 or I-805 and once you are inside the
border get in the first lane from the right.
Follow the signs that direct you to
the Scenic Road to Rosarito and Ensenada.
After making a cloverleaf style turn the road parallels the border for about two
miles, then heads up and down
a steep hill where you will be alerted to exit to
the right. The sign for this road will be "Toll Road" or "Scenic Road."
Stay in the left lane and two miles later you will pass through the toll gate.
Tolls are around $2.35 and
the toll areas all have clean restrooms.
Rosarito is located about eight miles down the toll road.
There are four exits into Rosarito.
Note: If you miss the last Rosarito exit for the free road (and it is easy to miss, so watch carefully). Almost at the second toll gate, there is a Pemex gas station and an AM-PM Mini Market. It looks identical to the ones in the U.S. (and sells the same kind of stuff). You can drive through its parking lot (without having to pay another toll) to the free road from there.
There are three toll booths. You may pay in either U.S. or Mexican currency but not a combination of the two. After passing the third and final toll booth you continue through the village of El Sauzal. On the south side of El Sauzal, a fork in the road indicates Ensenada Oriente-Transporte de Carga to the left and Zona Turistica-San Quintin to the right. Turn right at the fork and its only two miles to Ensenada.
Just 70 miles south of the
San Diego / Tijuana border crossing, Ensenada is a great destination for the
quick weekend getaway or the perfect place to park your RV and stay a while!
Situated on the beautiful Pacific coast, Ensenada is one of Mexico's most active
ports for vacation cruise lines and visiting pleasure boats.
The drive to Ensenada from San Diego takes about 90 minutes, and is extremely
scenic and pleasant. The Transpeninsular toll highway running from Tijuana
directly into Ensenada is extremely well maintained and safe. Many parts of the
highway wind through the coastal hills hundreds of feet above the Pacific ocean
making for breathtaking views.
Once you arrive in Ensenada, you will find a multitude of interesting shops, fine restaurants, and charming hotels. There are also many great ocean related activities that can be experienced for very reasonable rates (If not for free) including whale watching tours, sport fishing, surfing, scuba diving, sea kayaking, horse back rides on the beach, and more. Close to town there are also a number of excellent golf courses and fine vineyards which offer tours.