Driving down the Pacific Coast from San Diego into Baja California, it seems that there was a new house or property development every few miles. I had taken a day trip with Gustavo Torres, owner of Rosarito Beach Real Estate to find out more about the exciting opportunities everyone has been talking about in Baja Norte. 

Gustavo was born and raised in Rosarito and knows this stretch of highway like he knows his own backyard. We start our journey at Playas de Tijuana where a sleepy little neighborhood on the beach is slowly coming to life. Not the Tijuana most Americans expect to find, Playas de Tijuana is a beachfront community that reminds me of Southern California in the 1960’s.  The development of La Perla in Plays de Tijuana is no more than ten minutes from the border and is attracting many Californians who are looking for affordable housing.  There are five styles of homes to choose from and each one is a gem. Two stories with soaring ceilings and large airy rooms, these houses are beautifully landscaped and ready to move into. Gustavo and I both imagine what kind of a house you can get for $208,000 in San Diego and believe me, nothing like these stylish modern “casas” come to mind.  

Our next stop on the well designed and maintained toll road is Real del Mar. You see the sign from the road but nothing prepares you for the emerald green valley that spreads up the hillside and opens to an amazing view of the sea. Gustavo tells me a little bit about the history of this community. Built first as a golf resort, it soon became a premier location to build vacation and retirement homes for a few Mexican families. Americans have now discovered Real del Mar and are equally dazzled by the breathtaking view of the Coronado Islands.  Every home here is a Mexican “work of art” with three bedrooms, modern European kitchens and “spa-like” bathrooms. This is a great community for families and with houses priced at under $250,000, many Americans will find a new home here. Gustavo shows me a wonderful private school for Americans and Mexicans that in days past would send their kids to schools across the border. There is a luxury hacienda style spa on the top of the hill that beckons us to enjoy a relaxing afternoon, but we are on a mission, so off we go. 

On the ocean side of the highway, further south, are the more established communities of San Antonio del Mar, Baja Malibu and Punta Bandera. These are well known American choices for retirement and vacation homes.  Homes in this area are reselling at two or three times the price they sold for only a couple of years ago. Real Estate signs seem to be in every other window. 

I have learned a lot about the Real Estate boom in this part of Mexico today. When we got back in the car, after visiting San Marino, Gustavo was already excitedly planning our next road trip to see Oceanfront Condos in Rosarito.  As I listened to Gustavo’s description of our next adventure, I hit the play button on the CD player, leaned back and began listening to Lyle Lovett crooning “The Road to Ensenada.” 

 Hasta la Vista, 

“The Baja Traveler”