BajaNomad - TJ/Rosarito Playcation

TJ/Rosarito Playcation

bajadock - 7-18-2011 at 06:59 PM

After a successful beverage import from BevMo San Diego on Friday, I was able to hang in the TJ/Rosarito area for the weekend.

There were only a few cars in line headed south at the SY/TJ gate Friday afternoon at 4:15pm.

Plan B Bar KM 22/east side Per Ashley's promise, I had the best bloody mary available between KM 22 and the border. Also had 3 of their chicken tacos, which were delicious.

Gusto restaurant KM22/west side featured Italian food in a night club atmosphere. It's solid, not spectacular food with ocean views. They also had a Barry White act singing on Friday night. He was pretty good. But, he's gotta axe the Cher set, unless he's going to break out the torn fishnet stockings.

Tijuana Beer Festival Saturday was better than expected with lots of food booths to accompany the dozens of craft brews. Mentioned the Cucapa Runaway IPA as my fav'.

Best part of the trip was my first-ever visit to Popotla on a busy Sunday afternoon.

Had great seafood and I was the only gringo seen. Ate at the first restaurant available, Brisas Del Mar. The valet parking came in handy due to the traffic and people congestion. If you love fine dining, Popotla ain't for you. Enjoyed a caldo del mar, shrimp ceviche and pico de gallo checking out the waves.

Must explore Popotla more thoroughly soon.

Rosarito was busy this weekend. Has this been the trend this summer?

[Edited on 7-19-2011 by bajadock]

[Edited on 7-19-2011 by bajadock]Gusto restaurant KM22/west side

[Edited on 7-19-2011 by bajadock]

DENNIS - 7-18-2011 at 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajadock
Must explore Popotla more thoroughly soon.

Maybe at night. I hear it turns into a bustling yachting community.

woody with a view - 7-18-2011 at 07:38 PM

valet? at popotla? you must have good insurance or a POS rig!

we had a good crab meal there once. valet? must just be the gringo in me.....

edit: :lol:

don't get all butt sore.

[Edited on 7-19-2011 by woody with a view]

bajadock - 7-18-2011 at 07:47 PM

Woody,
It was great. They bring the keys back to your dining table. Throw the keys back at the boys to retrieve your rig when you are ready.

And my rig IS a POS '89 Jeep Cherokee. I don't think I have every displayed a butt sore attitude here. Prefer to get some humor at my expense to keep things light around here.

Dennis, are those Guatemalan boat crews?

woody with a view - 7-18-2011 at 07:49 PM

great to see a sense of humor again. besides mine, of course!

Woooosh - 7-18-2011 at 07:51 PM

Brutal. Come on guys- You have to give BajaDoc credit for not doing the whole Puerto Nuevo thing while our local lobtser is out of season. Poptla is still an authentic (but dusty) place to perch over the ocean and eat decent seafood on the cheap. Nothing fancy for sure but good for friends and late lunches.

I don't think there are any car valets- maybe some menu-pimp just saved him a spot out front of his place.
:tumble:

Great trip report by the way!

[Edited on 7-19-2011 by Woooosh]

tjBill - 7-18-2011 at 08:34 PM

I tried to go to Popotla on a Sunday afternoon. But they said I had to valet park to get into town. It seemed creepy so I left.

Woooosh - 7-18-2011 at 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjBill
I tried to go to Popotla on a Sunday afternoon. But they said I had to valet park to get into town. It seemed creepy so I left.

seriously? I wouldn't give up my key to anyone down here. No reported car thefts there, so not sure what to make of it.

Thanks for the Beautiful Pictures

Gypsy Jan - 7-19-2011 at 10:27 AM

I am glad that you had a great time.

I think that Dennis was referring to the human smuggling business that goes out of Popotla at night.

The honest and good people there turn away because the smugglers are armed and dangerous.

Gusto?

Dave - 7-19-2011 at 10:49 AM

Where is that place? From the web site it looks to be either above, or in San Antonio Del Mar. I guess they don't think it's important to tell you.

bajadock - 7-19-2011 at 11:09 AM

Dave, Gusto is at S.A.D.M. entry. Friends invited me for birthday party Friday. Had a blast with 50/50 mex+gringo crowd.

It does amaze me how many businesses fail to provide location, phone, email, hours on their websites or F-book. Gotta make it ez for me to spend money.

Will post the Popotla valet service website later. :tumble:

Cranskin - 7-22-2011 at 02:43 PM

Our favorite places just south of Puerto Nuevo is "The Palms" in Cantamar, and Splash, just 2 miles south on the free road. Splash is right next to the

rug Rehab place....but it is safe, great food...and they watch you car. Right on the ocean. Try the philly-cheese steak sandwich. Not on the menu, but the best I have ever had. We live in this area 3 months in the summer and feel safe, we are home by 9pm however, Lynn

bajamigo - 7-22-2011 at 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
I am glad that you had a great time.

I think that Dennis was referring to the human smuggling business that goes out of Popotla at night.

The honest and good people there turn away because the smugglers are armed and dangerous.

Doc is in the process of writing a book with the working title, "Baja on 50 Pesos a Day." I believe he has a chapter on the regularly-scheduled service from Popotla to Carlsbad. He recommends traveling tourist class.

bajadock - 7-23-2011 at 09:22 AM

DENNIS - 7-23-2011 at 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajadock

WOW....It's been a while since I've been down there. It's a busy place.

.

durrelllrobert - 8-14-2011 at 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajadock

WOW....It's been a while since I've been down there. It's a busy place.

.

here's another photo recently posted by tripledigitken:

How Times Change

Gypsy Jan - 8-14-2011 at 05:51 PM

Or maybe not so much.

Years ago, a Mexican friend of ours, the head of the immigration office in Rosarito, wrinkled his nose up when we asked him about maybe visiting the Popotla fishing village.

He said that it was the most active spot for car theft in Rosarito because the location was in a dead cell area and because there were so many targets of opportunity on the weekends.

He also said that it was a great place to get Hepatitis C from eating there because they did not use purified water in the restaurants.

After that conversation, we have never even thought about going down the road to the village.

Nappo - 8-14-2011 at 09:31 PM

Popotla is a great side trip. Right next to the movie set for Titanic and I hear they're opening back up for another film. Check out the art on the wall on the right as you drive into Pop. There's a huge story about all the artists that came when the studio was first opened and people were forced out at gun point as well as paint and other crap dumped right into the kelp beds in front. Beautiful little place that is hard to find and cars zip by every day. I remember just parking in the large dirt lot to the left.