PUERTO SALINAS or LA SALINA (as it is more frequently referred to) lies approximately half way between the U.S.- Mexican border and Ensenada. This gated collection of homes (just push the gate and it opens) sits on a wide stretch of beach and a large estuary. The potential for development was just too good to pass up for somebody with deep pockets and now construction is well underway for a very large scale resort.
The existing and older group of homes at La Salina are modest in size consisting of houses and trailers right on the beach and just back from the beach. Some of these home are very attractive and a couple of them are right out of 'Gilligan's Island'! It's a quiet place and a great place to enjoy the slower Baja lifestyle. At least it was until the new development got started.
Puerto Salinas is the name of the grand plan here. The master plan includes marina-front homes and condos, a hotel, hundreds of boats slips and much more. When it's all complete this will be a premier destination in Baja. However, since you probably won't have a gate card to get in this private resort, you may want to visit this beautiful beach now while it is still accessible to everyone.
If your Baja adventure does include a stop in La Salina do take the time to explore the sales office for the new Puerto Salina development. It's really quite interesting what they are planning, and who knows, it might be something you will be interested in as a Baja vacation home. The sales staff are low key and helpful so it's a fun way to spend 15 minutes.
La Salina's biggest claim to fame is its wide beautiful beach. From Tijuana to Ensenada and all along Baja's "Gold Coast" you won't find a wider beach, with the possible exception of Rosarito Beach. Even better yet the beach here is usually void of people. Baja travelers from the border to Ensenada are usually on a two day mission of non-stop fun and rarely take the time to stop and smell the cactus in sleepy villages such as La Salina. That means you will probably have lots of elbow room as you streatch out on the beautiful sandy beach here!
La Salina is still a very relaxing place to get away from it all and just a short drive up the coast to Rosarito Beach, or down the coast to Ensenada for services, restaurants, and other fun Baja activities.
Thinking about moving south of the border? Visit the web site of BAJA RELOCATION for a head's up for what awaits you.
Puerto Salina was one of the locations that Carlos Fiesta cruised by on his 2,200 mile SOLO BAJA CIRCUMNAVIGATION!
To purchase a good map of the Baja Peninsula visit the web site of MEXICO MAPS.
THE GRINGO FACTOR
La Salina is a collection of mostly gringo-owned oceanfront homes that have been around for several decades. The master planned development of Puerto Salina is also marketed towards gringos and these homes are gradually being built on the hill just south of the marina. Although there are a few year-round residents in La Salina, most of the homes are vacation getaways for gringos who want to slip across the border for an escape from their primary reality.
YOUR FIRST STOP IN TOWN
After slipping off the Baja Highway at the La Salina offramp, note the sales office for the new Puerto Salina project off to the left side. This a good place to check out the master plan for the area and to enjoy views of the marina. Don't worry...the sales crew are low pressure, so you won't feel obliged to buy a second home unless you really want to!
CARLOS FIESTA'S HOT TIP:Looking for a funky place to hang out for an hour or two, and sample a margarita before heading further south? The bar at La Salina can be a fun place to order chips and salsa, hang out, or just lounge on the ocean view patio. The beautiful wide beach is just steps away! The bar offers 3 televisions, a somewhat level pool table, a dart board, a juke box and Romero the bartender can make you a margarita that you will never forget (or remember). Happy Hour runs daily from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and taking in a good dinner (try the steak) at the restaurant afterwards is a great idea.
All of the stars in the Universe lined up for Carlos Fiesta and Juan del Rio when they stopped by the La Salina bar on a drive to Cabo San Lucas. As luck would have it...it was Anna's birthday (long time La Salina resident) and the bar was on fire. Drinking, dancing, singing...it was quite a night. That was the night that Carlos noted an important fact: The restroom at the La Salina bar is one of the few places in Baja that you can see your car in the parking lot while using the urinal in the Men's room.
This stretch of coast has some of the widest and best beaches between Rosarito and Ensenada, and plenty of elbow room to enjoy it all!
Best access is from the large parking area on the west side of the road, just north of La Salina, or in La Salina by the sales office of the new development.
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Camping facilities north and south of La Salina run from very basic to very luxurious. Prices usually reflect the amenities offered.
By far the most extensive R.V park in the area is Baja Seasons, just north of La Salina. It offers a little bit of everything, in a first class environment.
BAJA SEASONS BEACH RESORT
Telephone 011-52 (661) 155-4015.
U.S. (619) 422-2777.
Toll free (800) 754-4190.
Fax 011-52 (661) 155-4019.
1177 Broadway #2, Chula Vista, California, 91911.
Coastal road at Km. 72, La Salina.
Mailing address: 1177 Broadway Avenue, Suite 2, Chula Vista, California, 91911.
Number of sites: 140.
Full hookups / pool / Jacuzzi / beach / restaurant / motel / store / clubhouse / bar / sauna / steam room / gym / 2 tennis courts (lighted) / volleyball / billiards / putting green / TV / miniature golf / full service laundry room / 24 hour security.
One of Baja's few first class campgrounds, located on a huge, beautiful beach!ALISITOS TRAILER PARK AND CAMPING
Located just off of the free coastal road at Km. 59, north of Hotel La Mision.
A large flat dirt area with magnificent sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean...right above the bluffs!
Not many facilities, but a great location. Tent camping is welcome. Services nearby include three good restaurants and three good bars. Inexpensive!
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The construction at the marina is almost complete and when it is finished it will be the closest Baja marina to the United States. In addition to being the closest, it will also be the nicest, designed with the high standards of other tourist-area marinas.
Until then, offshore fishing can be arranged in ENSENADA, or in San Diego.
For more information on fishing in Baja drop by our BAJA FISHING section!
For more information on obtaining the proper fishing documentation required for dipping your hook in Baja waters check with the professionals at MEXICO ADVISORY SERVICES
CORTEZ YACHT CHARTERS
Telephone (619) 469-4255.
San Diego, California.
Fishing packages in the waters off of northern Baja, Mexico.FISHERMAN'S LANDING
Telephone (619) 221-8500.
2838 Garrison Street, San Diego, California, 92106.
A fleet of professional fishing boats independently owned and operated.H & M LANDING
Telephone (619) 222-1144.
2803 Garrison Street, San Diego, California, 92106.
Sportsfishing in Mexican waters out of San Diego Bay.INDIAN SPORTFISHING
Telephone (619) 583-8862.
E-mail: baja@indiansportfishing.com.
6053 Wenrich Drive, San Diego, California, 92120.
Owner/operator Chris Randel has been sharing tight lines in Baja for over 10 years. Check out their web site for more information!
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The master plan for Puerto Salina calls for a luxury hotel right on the beach. Lodging in the general area at this time is limited to the following funky but quaint hotels.
LA FONDA HOTEL
Approximately 4 miles north of La Salina on the bluffs, just off of the free road at Km. 58.
32 rooms tucked away in a lush hillside setting, with spectacular ocean views from almost every room.
The wonderful "Garden of Eden" covered pathway that leads to the beach can be accessed by most rooms, and lets out at the north end of the La Fonda beach.
The rooms are decorated with a funky Mexican decor, and are clean and simple. Most rooms offer balconies and patios...and each room is unique. The restaurant and bar areas are Baja landmarks, and worth a visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.LA SALINA MOTEL
Upstairs, above the restaurant and bar.
8 rooms, each facing the ocean. Spartan.HOTEL LA MISION
Telephone 011-52 (661) 155-0205.
(562) 420-8500.
Located at Km. 59 on the west side of the free road, in La Mision.
10 rooms / 8 ocean front / all with fireplaces / restaurant / huge bar / market.
Looks a lot bigger than it really is, mostly because of the huge restaurant and bar.
Located just above the Pacific Ocean, with great views!CALAFIA
Telephone 011-52 (661) 2-1581.
Fax 011-52 (661) 2-0296.
Mailing address: Post Office Box 354, C.P., Baja California, Mexico.
Located on the free road at Km. 35.5.
Number of rooms: 45.
Rooms and suites.
On the beach.
Very quaint ocean view rooms / huge ocean view restaurant / dining facilities / 2 bars / Jacuzzi / wedding packages / conference facilities.PYRAMID RESORT
Phone / Fax 011-52 (661) 155-0265.
Located of the free road at Km. 57 near La Mision, 20 miles south of Rosarito Beach, 8 miles south of La Salina.
Deluxe spacious villas with private baths, dining sets, kitchens, fireplaces, private parking, and much more.
Complex amenities includes pool / Jacuzzi / tennis courts / health spa and club house.
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SANTA ROSA
Looking for a quaint place to escape the coastal crowds and soak in a bit of true Baja 'manana'? Then a short drive to the rest area of Santa Rosa might be just what the doctor ordered!
Getting there is half the fun! Santa Rosa is located on the free road that heads towards Ensenada. This road leaves the coast at Km. 60, then heads into a large broad valley and eventually up a steep hill to the south end of the valley. After reaching the plateau on top of the hill Santa Rosa is about 15 minutes to the south.
Don't expect much...but you'll like what you find! A v-e-r-y quaint store with a large open patio and lots of refreshments and goodies to choose from. Looking to stretch your legs? A basketball area (1/2 court) is open to anyone who has the desire to play.
Fresh honey is sometimes sold on the counter made from the bee-hives right on the roof! It doesn't get any fresher than this!
Clean restrooms are also available. The whole feeling here is very relaxing...a great place for a fun excursion...or a wonderful pit-stop on the way to Ensenada!
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Check out the WHALE WATCHING section of Baja Expo for mucho mas information on Baja's Whales!
And for a fun place to spend the afternoon stop by FOXPLORATION STUDIOS about 20 minutes north of La Salina!
Visit the web site of WIDE OPEN BAJA for awesome buggy tours of the Baja Peninsula.
Two good web sites to review for RVer's who want to tour the Baja Peninsula in an escorted RV caravan include BAJA WINTERS and BAJA AND BACK RV TOURS.
DIVING
HORIZON DIVE CHARTERS
Telephone (858) 277-7823.
2803 Emerson Street, San Diego, California, U.S.A. 92106.
Located at H & M Landing.
E-mail: divesd@horizoncharters.com.
Web site: www.horizoncharters.com.
Single and multi-day dive trips to Baja and her offshore islands.
Dive boats Odyssey and Horizon are perfectly set up for your dive getaway.
A very professional company!
Drop by their web site for additional information.
SAILING
HORIZONS WEST ADVENTURES
Telephone (562) 799-3880.
182 Marina Drive, Long Beach, California, 90803.
Web site: www.horizonswestadventures.com.
Sailing trips from southern California to upper Baja, Mexico.
Enjoy a coastal cruise aboard the 73 foot schooner Dirigo II.
Visit their web site for additional information.
SURFING
If you are serious about a Baja surfing adventure check out the web site of BAJA SURF ADVENTURES.
LA SALINA
Offers miles of ordinary beach break. A bit further south the bluffs begin, creating small point breaks with better shape. If you really need better shape, it's only a 20 minute drive to the right sliders of San Miguel.
LA FONDA.
North of La Salina,
The north end of La Fonda and Surf Point offer more consistent shape. Located between Km. 58 and Km. 59, this area is mostly a beach break, with some rocky beach at the north point. Left and right shoulders can often be found, especially with any decent swell. A north swell will provides better shape and longer rides.KM. 43
Even further north of La Fonda.
Km 43 offers nice peaks on a rock beach with pretty easy access down a low bluff.CALAFIA.
Just about a mile north of Km. 43.
Large waves are pretty common at the point at Calafia. This is a right break that can offer a fast and steep take off, which gets somewhat mushy as it heads towards shore. This is a nasty place to surf at low tide, with several reefs hiding just below the water line, just waiting to reconfigure the bottom of your board.
KAYAKS
The lagoon is usually a great place to kayak, although there is currently a lot of construction going on in the outer bay. The inner bay might be the best bet for calm water.
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La Salina offers a small restaurant - bar, and it's very easy to get to. The La Salina offramp off the coastal road ends up right there. It's usually a pretty quiet environment, and a good place to relax. Front and rear patios offer two different views. Looking for a funky place to hang out for an hour or two, and sample a margarita before heading further south? The bar at La Salina can be a fun place to order chips and salsa, hang out, or just lounge on the ocean view patio. The beautiful wide beach is just steps away! The bar offers 3 televisions, a somewhat level pool table, a dart board, a juke box and Romero the bartender can make you a margarita that you will never forget (or remember). Happy Hour runs daily from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and taking in a good dinner (try the steak) at the restaurant afterwards is a great idea.
All of the stars in the Universe lined up for Carlos Fiesta and Juan del Rio when they stopped by the La Salina bar on the drive to Cabo San Lucas in 2005. As luck would have it...it was Anna's birthday (long time La Salina resident) and the bar was on fire. Drinking, dancing, singing...it was quite a night. That was the night that Carlos noted an important fact. The restroom at the La Salina bar is one of the few places in Baja that you can see your car in the parking lot while using the urinal in the Men's room.
A fun and funky dining excursion for lunch and dinner can be found just 20 minutes north of Puerto Salina at the oceanfront fishing village of Popotla. This is a piece of Baja coastline that has not yet been taken over by the big-bucks tourist developers even though it is located directly adjacent to coastal development on all sides. Over 30 oceanfront eateries line the shore offering everything from lobster, fish tacos and seafood cocktails. And the prices are as cheap as you are going to find anywhere along the coast. Head north from Puerto Nuevo and turn west on the dirt road under the white arches on the south side of Fos Studios Baja.
Baja travelers looking for an excellent oceanfront restaurant 15 minutes north of Puerto Salina will be impressed with the brand new Villa Ortega Restaurant at the southwest corner of Puerto Nuevo. Carlos Fiesta calls this new hangout the 'best' place on the coast for a meal or drinks between the US border and Ensenada!
There are also two other good restaurants in the area.
LA FONDA EL ROYAL RESTAURANT
6 miles south off of the coastal road, Km. 59 on the toll road.
The new location is just a couple of hundred feet north of the original location.
Indoor and outdoor-patio dining, plus a popular Sunday Brunch!
Outdoors, right up against the smashing ocean view.
Prime rib, steaks, ribs, seafood, stuffed shrimp, lobster, pig, lamb, Mexican dishes, and mucho mas. Early Bird dinner specials Monday through Thursday.
Full bar!
Happy Hour 3:00 to 6:00 Sunday through Friday. Dancing nightly to live music!
The beautiful covered path that leads to the sandy beach below can be reached by walking down to the hotel rooms at the north end of the restaurant.LA MISION RESTAURANT
Telephone 011-52 (661) 155-0205.
(562) 420-8500.
Located at Km. 59 off of the old road, on the ocean side of the street.
A large, open restaurant and bar, with a special balcony area offering tables right up against the big ocean view! Claiming the best seafood on the coast, plus daily specials. Romantic fireplace included!LA SALINA RESTAURANT
Sharp right turn after you exit the offramp. Top of the small hill, left side.
Kitchen open Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The bar is open 7 days a week. Pool table.
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Taxis do not normally hang out at La Salina, but they travel the highway right in front all day long. It's best to call to arrange a pickup. Buses go by here, but do not stop.
Your best place for gas is the PEMAX station just north at the south end of Rosarito Beach.
Two good web sites to review for RVer's who want to tour the Baja Peninsula in an escorted RV caravan include BAJA WINTERS and BAJA AND BACK RV TOURS.
For professional information on securing all of the required documents necessary for visiting Baja, entry fee information and tourist card requirements you may visit the web site of MEXICO ADVISORY SERVICES or e-mail them at mexinfo@mexicoadvisoryservices.com.
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For information on obtaining travel documents for Mexico such as Tourist Cards, boat permits, fishing and hunting licenses check out the web site of MEXICO ADVISORY SERVICES.
BAJA STORAGE
Km. 23 Carretera Escenica #12540, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
Located just north of Rosarito Beach, east of the highway.
The perfect place to store your stuff in between Baja trips!- The large terrace area off the back of the La Salina restaurant-bar is the
perfect place for a large party or BBQ. The view is spectacular! This terrace
is located right on the beach!
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Puerto Salina real estate has been hot, but it is now cooling off now that the U.S. housing bubble has burst. The older homes in the existing La Salina neighborhood to the north of the estuary are quickly loosing the spotlight to the new kid on the block . . . the huge master planned community of Puerto Salina. The plans are now complete and the marina is now well under construction. It won't be long before construction begins on the homes, condominiums, and commercial areas. It's close proximity to the U.S. border guarantees a large audience of potential buyers. When completed, Puerto Salina will be one of the premier residential communities in all of Baja.
REAL ESTATE BROKERS * DEVELOPER PROPERTIES
Thinking about moving south of the border? Visit the web site of BAJA RELOCATION for a head's up for what awaits you.
REAL ESTATE BROKERS
Telephone 011-52 (661) 686-4800.
Toll free (888) 772-5462.
Located off of the toll road at Km. 73.
It's not difficult to find the sales office for Puerto Salina. Heading
south on Baja Highway One, the La Salina highway exit ramp plops you smack
dab at the front door of the sales trailer. Inside the trailer the developer
offers maps, drawings, and scale models of the project, plus literature
to take along with you for the road. The viewing platform next to the trailer
helps add some perspective to the general layout of the project, including
the locations of the main channel, the boat docks, and some of the lots
for sale. The completed project will include 500 boat slips, 590 single
family lots, 450 condos, a shopping center, a hotel and beach club.
DEVELOPER PROPERTIES
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PUERTO SALINA
Telephone 011-52 (661) 686-4800.
Toll free (888) P-SALINA.
Located at km 73 off of Baja Highway 1.
Blvd. Agua Caliente 4558-C1-12, Cal. Aviacion, Tijuana, Baja California, 22420.
Puerto Salina is a master planned community which will include homes, condos, and a huge marina.
When will it be finished? Manana! CLUB MARENA
Telephone 011-52 (661) 614-1020.
Fax 011-52 (661) 614-1555.
E-mail: info@clubmarena.com.
Web site: www.clubmarena.com.
Post Office Box 699, Chula Vista, California, 91912.
Located north of Puerto Salina at Km. 38.5 on the Free Road.
Oceanfront vacation homes ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet.
Pool, Jacuzzi, tennism, clubhouse, gameroom and workout facilities.
Luxury oceanfront coastal living from the mid $200,000's.
Visit their web site for virtual tours, floorplans and additional information.ISLA CORONADO
Telephone 011-52 (664) 622-5141.
U.S. (619) 267-6661.
Blvd. Agua Caliente #11300, Plaza Campestra, Local 236, Tijuana, Mexico.
U.S. address: 4120 Bonita Road, Bonita, California, 91902.
Residential ocean view homes and lots for sale.
Direct financing available.
More information can be obtained from their web site.PUERTO DEL MAR RESIDENCES
Telephone 011-52 (664) 686-1176.
U.S. (619) 267-6661.
Blvd. Agua Caliente #11300, Plaza Campestra, Local 236, Tijuana, Mexico.
U.S. address: 4120 Bonita Road, Bonita, California, 91902.
Site location at Km. 55 on the free road south of Rosarito Beach.
Residential ocean view homes.
Underground services / club house / swimming pool / tennis court / walking areas.
Direct financing available.
More information can be obtained from their web site.
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