There are various ways to arrive to Rosarito from Tijuana; the most enjoyable is the scenic route, where you have an impressive view of the Pacific Ocean and Coronado islands, there use to be a very exclusive casino there before and now it's a Marine base for the Mexican Armed Forces; the other option is the free road, this will take you through the City of Tijuana and surrounding towns between Tijuana and Rosarito. If you drive during the afternoon near sunset as you're driving right before "Cuesta Blanca" you can get a glimpse of the oil tanks and the most marvelous of all sunsets on the Pacific Ocean.

HISTORY
The first land grands were made in Rosarito in the year 1827. And after secularization of the mission lands in 1833, it has been estimated that over 700 private land grants were made in California within the nest decade.

Baja California had its share, with many of the grantees being families who were prominent in Alta California. One of the largest in the northwestern sector was Rancho El Rosario, or Rosarito. It extended from what is now the southern edge of the San Antonio Shores development to the Rosarito River bounded on the west by the ocean and stretching eastward to the peaks of the mountains. The first grant had been made to Don Jose Manuel Machado in 1827 by the Mexican governor, Jose Maria Echeandia Machado had been born in San Gabriel and had grown up and married in San Diego. His land grants, along with the later one of the famous ranchos that marked the "age of the Dons". It may be said that it was at this time that the people of Rosarito first learned to party.

"The Age of the Dons", the Golden Age, is probably best remember for the hospitality and sociability of the people on barbecues were the order of the day. All classes of society and all people from surrounding rancho took part, and though the music was a far cry from the heart of native musicians and the vigorous stamp of dancer's feet.

Great herds of cattle and horses roamed the brown hills, and it was at this time that the Rosaritans first became renowned for their fine mounts. Truly the vaqueros who bring their horses to the beach for tourist to ride and to splash through the surf are part of those great traditions of the past.

It was at this time also that there was a migration of people from Western Europe to the ranchos of Baja. Names like Ames, Crosthwaite, Gilbert, and Ireland, joined the Machados, Yorba's, and Valdez's on the ranches of the time. Intermarriage was common, and the cultures blended then as they do today, resulting in families with names Machado Gilbert, Crosthwaite Machado, Yorba Gilbert, Ames Crosthwaite, etc. even to this day.

In 1937 Manuel Barbachano shrewdly remodeled and greatly enlarged the hotel. Mexican muralist Matias Santoyo was retained to create the fascinating murals that adorn the lobby. During this period of extensive construction at the hotel, Barbachano also built an ornate and spacious mansion next door for his young bride Maria Luisa Chabert. Through the years the Rosarito Beach Hotel continued to attract the world's glamourous people. The beautiful mansion, located at the north wing of the hotel was restored into a world class spa and the elegant Chabert's restaurant.

The Rosarito Beach hotel boasts now 280 deluxe rooms and suites, two restaurants, three bars, 4 swimming pools, 3 jacuzzis, museum and a lot more. Is a place that reflects Mexico's past like no other hotel in the world. An alluring past is now combined with an exiting present and the future is just beginning...

TITANIC MUSEUM
In the elegant first-class men's card room, a blackjack hand has been interrupted in progress. A face-up jack, partly covered by another card, is a chilling reminder that the players will never return to this game. Every item in the room is authentic and these very details make the story all the more real. A small box of Rizla rolling papers for tobacco open on a shelf; the wooden boxes of cigars from Honduras and the Dominican Republic, some tied with red ribbons. You'll see them in the movie. It is disconcerting to see them here in the stillness of the museum. There are also the simple, carved wooden toys of children, the watermarked suitcases, including a wicker pet carrier, the alligator purse, with claws, of a wealthy but doomed passenger, the corroded silver hairbrush brought up from the bottom of the sea. All are poignant reminders of the human side of this 86-year-old drama.

From the single canvas life jacket marked Titanic to the eerily lit and empty first-class hallway, the props and sets alone at the museum bring the history of this tragedy alive. And a short video, detailing the making of the movie right here on this location, brings Cameron's larger-than-life retelling of it to life, too. It is definitely worth a half-hour stop the next time you're in Rosarito.

The "Titanic" Museum is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is also open on Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m. when there is no production at the Fox studio. Look for the sign out front signifying that the museum is open. Admission $5. Find the studio on the Free Road, five minutes south of downtown Rosarito.

WA-KUATAY MUSEUM
At the museum of Playas de Rosarito you will find the most important historical events, divided in several exposition halls. It shows how the Kumiai tribe lived and you will also find arrows and vessels made from stone.

It's important to mention that descendants of the Kumiai tribe still live in a reservation south of Rosarito.

The museums also counts with Pre-hispanic and Mesoamericans objects where you can find pieces from 2300 b.c to 300a.c and from the "post-classic" period from 900 to 1521. The recent history of Rosarito is well-illustrated with pictures, displaying all the information in English and Spanish . The museum opens from 10am to 4pm Monday thru Sunday (Closed on Tuesday). Your host will be Mr. Pedro Arias.

HORSE BACK RIDES
One of the most attractive activities for people visiting the beautiful Rosarito is without a dude, horse back riding. As many other recreational activities (in my opinion) this is the must do one if you don't' own a horse.

If you are not a cowboy don't worry, a horse back ride can be as romantic, fun or whatever as you want; it's a complete family activity and believe me, it will be a wonderful experience for the children. Horse back riding is easy; the tough part is to get on top of the horse, the guides will help you to sit looking at the horse head instead of the back (things can happen!). If you are short they'll help you by doing a step with their hands so you can climb on the horse.

There are the beach rides where you can enjoy a sunset, the sea breeze, the seagulls and even a pelican! For the fearless ones there are rides through the ranches and mountains that will allow you to discover the rural life of the citizens. All guides will speak English. The horse herds are generally located at the beach and besides the main street.

PUERTO NUEVO: THE LOBSTER VILLAGE
If you are one of those people with a healthy appetite for good food, a definite recommendation is this quaint village dedicated exclusively to the sale of seafood and their specialty is recognized worldwide as lobster based dishes.

Puerto Nuevo is only 10 minutes South of Rosarito Beach (approximately 45 minutes South of the border with the U. S.) it's accessible from the toll road as well as the free road. We must mention that the view from the road is absolutely breathtaking. The spectacular marine view on one side and the hills on the other, they are an ideal excuse not to forget the camera. If you are traveling from North to South, Puerto Nuevo will be on your right hand side and you will be able to identify it when you see its arched entrance. The climate is always nice but it never hurts to take a jacket.

It's a small village by the ocean, surrounded by sun and beach, it started many years ago as a fishing village. There is still some fishing but its infrastructure has changed. Today its filled with restaurants and store filled with Mexican craftsmanship ideal for spending a nice afternoon delighting your pallet and doing a little shopping.

All of the restaurants without exception sell dishes based on lobster Puerto Nuevo Style, it consists of a lobster cut in half served with a bowl of rice and beans with delicious hand made flour toritillas with melted butter and lemon on the side. (mmm!) You can accompany the lobster with a pitcher of Margaritas or your favorite Mexican beer.

The ambiance in these restaurants is very Mexican and for a few dollars you can enjoy some of the traditional Mexican music, interpreted by mariachis bands there at your table.