by Karen Lewis
It all began when visionary entrepreneur Manual Barbachano bought Rosarito Shores, a 12-room hunting lodge just 18 miles South of the border, on the tranquil shores of the Pacific. In 1925, he reopened it as the Rosarito Beach Hotel.
In the years since, it has become Baja California’s best-known resort, one that gave birth to the popular tourist town of Rosarito Beach. Millions of people from throughout the world have been guests and a good number of them have been famous: Mexican presidents, international royalty and Hollywood stars including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, Gregory Peck, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Wayne and Britney Spears.
Rosarito Beach Hotel
In August of 2008, the Rosarito Beach Hotel became Baja’s largest as well as its most historic beachfront resort, with the completion of the 17-story Pacifico Tower. Adding to the original Playas tower and the newer Coronado tower, the brand new condo-hotel tower, Pacifico, offers accommodations unlike anything else in Rosarito.
Rosarito Beach Hotel
In Rosarito, water sports such as surfing are very popular as are the wide open sandy beaches. Golf can be played on a course created right next to the ocean. In this part of Baja California, the third most important cycling race in the North American continent is held. There are quad bikes for rent and horseback riding is also available on Rosarito Beach.
Horseback riding on Rosarito Beach
Playas de Rosarito is such an ideal location that Fox built a studio there especially for the filming of Titanic and several other blockbusters which have been filmed there since, including Pearl Harbor and Master and Commander.
Baja Film Studios
Rosarito has many eating places to choose from. Its cuisine is mainly based on shellfish; as an example, between locals and visitors more than one million lobsters are consumed each year. You’ll have no trouble finding good seafood while you’re there.
There is also a great variety of other options available to suit any palate.
La Bamba 50
La Bamba is a 1950’s American Diner, which once had a very basic small American menu that has expanded into the seven pages it currently offers today. You know it will be a different experience when you see a car sticking out of the front of the building. The staff is very warm, friendly and attentive and the diner is well-known for their hearty American-style breakfasts and 100% homemade deserts.
Tapanco is a great place to go for a good steak. The restaurant has a tropical, jungle atmosphere and the service is good. Or if you’re in the mood for a good Italian meal, go to That’s Amore.
For the history buff, The Castle is a great place to visit. It was built by the infamous Al Capone to entertain Hollywood friends in the late 1920s and is now a fine restaurant.
The Castle Restaurant Bar in Rosarito, México
In Rosarito, there are many eating places to experience the Mexican culture. You will often see taco stands. However, if you want to try some genuine Mexican food, why not try Birrieria El Cuñado for a taste of the real local flavor. They do great tacos and sell the best quesadillas around at very low prices.
Birrieria El Cuñado in Rosarito, Baja California, México
The town of Rosarito Beach is a great vacation destination for all the family. Whether taking a stroll around the new modern outdoor shopping center or shopping for souvenirs, handmade furniture and crafts at the more traditional Mexican shops, you’re sure to come home with a taste of México and great memories of good food, sun, sea and sand.
Sounds very good. I wish that my vacation wasn’t over already, otherwise I might think about visiting. In any event, I will not be soon forgetting. It sounds like a great place to relax.
Thanks.
.-= A recent submission from James: Community Theatre in Kingsburg? =-.
I came over to Rosarito from Scotland for my holidays this summer. It is a lovely place with a beautiful beach and you can swim in the sea without any danger because it is quite shallow near the shore. The people are so friendly and most seem to speak English which is good as I don’t speak Spanish. The food is excellent and cheap — even in quite nice restaurants of which there are many!