MEMORIES:
Hollywood Crush remembers...Keep your money hidden here. The little ones are trained to pick your pockets. The taxi rides are so scary ... More »
Posted on 08/03/07
Trivia:
Every year, millions of visitors to San Diego, California, make the short trek over the US-Mexico border to visit the infamous town known as Tijuana. Some go for the shopping, others for the restaurants and clubs, and others for more nefarious reasons. Whatever the reason, Tijuana awaits with open arms, or at least an open hand – eager to relieve its guests of their precious American dollars.
This rapidly growing tourist town has been popular with visitors ever since the 1916 “San Diego – Panama Fair” that attracted scores of travelers across the border. When prohibition came in the 20s, Tijuana’s popularity increased tenfold as a place to legally drink and gamble, two vices no longer allowed up north. The famed Agua Caliente Casino opened and Tijuana was on its way to becoming a tourism Mecca.
Today, it still holds the same distinction. For the tourist, there are numerous places to purchase handmade souvenirs, leather goods and other handicrafts from the small shops and local street vendors. Bartering is expected and with a little perseverance, one can find some great bargains. Many come to purchase bottles of alcohol, notably tequila and the popular coffee-flavored liqueur, Kahlua, which can be had for a much lower price than in the States. Dining is readily available, from the street vendor tacos (if you should be so courageous) to notable five-star restaurants and everything in between. Just don’t drink the water.
Of course, the bars and nightclubs of “TJ” (as the Californians have dubbed it) have particular appeal, especially to the herds of college and even high-school aged kids that visit, due to the lower and little-enforced legal drinking age. The infamous Avenida Revolucion is home to scores of drinking establishments where the tequila flows without interruption.
If you keep your nose out of trouble, visit in groups, and engage in some “street-smarts,” quite an enjoyable day visit can be had. Besides the above activities, you can take in a Jai Alai game, a greyhound or horse race, or even a bullfight. Most of the locals are friendly and eager to make you feel welcome. And of course, many a bargain can be found, along with ample places to wet your whistle and gorge on plentiful helpings of local cuisine. There’s all kinds of fun to be had in TJ. Again, just don’t drink the water.
