24hrs Valle de Guadalupe
A little quick trip roundup
Just south of the border, Valle de Guadalupe is a hidden gem for wine and food lovers. We recently took a quick 24-hour trip from San Diego for my birthday and packed in as much as possible. It was giving; bus, club, another bus, no sleep. Every time I get down there, I wonder, why aren’t we doing this more? To answer your question, yes, it was easy to drive down, and I have Global Entr,y which helps on the way back, and no I didn’t feel unsafe. In my experience and opinion, if you’re smart, like in any country, and you’re respectful and aware, you will have a great time. So, here’s a little look at our itinerary so you can plan your next Valle trip!
Getting There & Checking In
We hit the road from San Diego and made our way down to Valle de Guadalupe, an easy and scenic drive. You can go one of two ways: through Tijuana (coastal) or Tecate (inland scenic). It was our first time going through Tecate, and it seemed so much easier, less crazy and busy than the TJ border, but it was a little more windy, so if you’re prone to being carsick, this may not be the way to go. We stayed at a cute little cottage-style room at Entravalle Hotel Boutique, a charming and modern retreat nestled in the heart of the valley. Upon arrival, we wasted no time with some of the best margaritas we had on the trip from their on-site restaurant—we were able to catch sunset with margs in hand before getting ready for the night.
Wine & Dine: Our Evening Stops
With a driver picking us up, we kicked off our night at BRUMA Wine Garden, one of Valle’s most renowned wineries but also a stunning hotel. It’s my goal to stay here at some point. Last time we were in the Valle, we had the full wine and tasting menu experience at Fauna and HIGHLY recommend it; it’s a highlight every time. Since we had a second reservation, we opted to eat and drink in their wine garden, and that too DID NOT disappoint. The setting was stunning, and we indulged in light bites and cocktails before heading to our next stop.
Next, we made our way to Bloodlust, a must-visit for natural wine enthusiasts and seekers of vibesss. This place is literally shaped like a garlic bulb, I’m not kidding. It truly is vibes with a DJ, candle-lit tables, and a cool bar scene. I know they have good drinks, so I was skeptical of their food offerings (hence why we went to Bruma ahead of this), but it was great. I think it’s more of a light bites and drink spot rather than a full dinner, but since we ate a little before, it was perfect. It’s also good to note that almost everything closes at 10 pm as the employees usually commute to and from Ensenada so that’s good to know in case you’re hoping for a late-night spot!
Morning Coffee & Winery Hopping
The next morning, we started our day with a much-needed cappuccino at Almagre Café & Deli, a cozy little spot with a great selection of sweet pastries and breakfast bites. It was out of our way, but Bruma looked like they also had an amazing cafe, so next time, it’s on our list to check out! Caffeine in hand, we were ready for our winery adventure.
Our first stop of the day was Montefiori Vinos Paoloni, a winery that beautifully blends Italian winemaking traditions with Baja terroir. Eric wanted us to stop here as my first winery given my Italian heritage, he thought this would be the perfect way to start. And start we did. We quickly ran into the owner upon being the first ones to arrive, and he greeted us with a glass of sparkling wine, which was a rare occurrence, our waiter told us. We sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine while having a tasting flight of their wine selection. We ended up leaving with a bottle of Paoloni Aglianico 2020!
Next up was Lechuza, a family-run winery known for its elegant and complex wines. We also met the owner, whose family was originally from Santa Barbara but ended up falling in love with the Valle and starting a winery. Their daughter, whom we met, is the one running the show now, and she was extremely proud of everything that is and has become of Lechuza! This is our favorite spot for the Pluma Nebbiolo canned wine, so we grabbed a couple more and also a large bottle of the Lechuza Voclo 2023. After this, it was time to have lunch before heading back. I feel like stopping at two was perfect for the day. Left us wanting more!
Lunch with a View & Heading Home
For a light lunch, we dined at Deckman’s, a rustic outdoor restaurant that embraces an open-fire cooking style. We had a couple bites and, of course, I got a margarita. We kept it short and sweet. I feel like this wasn’t my favorite stop, but I think if we did a full tasting menu, my opinion would be different!
As we made our way back towards San Diego, we decided to make one more stop. Right before the border, we popped into Aruba Cocktail Bar in Tijuana for one last round of cocktails and a delicious tostada— a perfect sendoff before crossing back. If you have time, or if you’re in the area, this is a MUST stop for cocktail lovers like myself. It was rated one of the top bars in North America, so obviously, I had to go. But I highly recommend this spot to all!
Can’t wait to go back, Mexico. I love you forever and always!!
If you have any questions about traveling to Valle or my past trips, message me!
Xoxo, cheers!