I still remember the first time that we took Giovanni to one of our favorite taco stands in Tijuana. He was just over a year old, with a mouth full of little teeth ready to join in on one of his papá’s staple meals growing up. I swear his eyes lit up the second that the aromas off of the charcoal grilled came billowing over to us. Okay, so maybe it was my eyes that lit up, but he was still super excited to get his hands on a fresh corn tortilla filled to the brim with bits of carne asada, and creamy green avocado. I hope that he looks back on these days when he gets older, and remembers us traveling often between the Californias, and for more reasons than just checking out all of the cool piñatas and candy. Camila is still at the age where a piñata definitely is more appealing to her, than a quesataco filled with birria, but we are still working on that. Ha!

Speaking of piñatas and an ultra stimulating experience, you must visit Mercado Hidalgo. We always try to make a point to take the kids more often around the holidays, because they always have a beautiful set up for Day of the Dead, and keep it festive throughout the Christmas season. We have even started little traditions like letting each of them pick out their own sugar skull in the Fall, and choosing the color of the piñata for Christmas Eve. Yes, we are fairly festive around here, and can not resist a piñata at basically any family gathering. I love the market visits just as much as the littles do. Taste some of the local cheeses, check out all of the wonderful produce, and my favorite is adding some of the gorgeous dishes to my collection at home.

As a parent, there are stages that each child goes through, whether it be when they first become mobile, decide to all of a sudden be the pickiest eater, or just all around want to be a child and run free, rather than being confined to a seat for a hour or two meal. Visiting restaurants can often times be daunting, and while I have enjoyed many dishes as they were already starting to cool, it always feels like such a success when everyone gets to sit down at the table together and have an amazing time doing so. Places like Caesar’s Restaurant are great for the kids, and there’s a mini history lesson thrown in there too. There’s nothing like enjoying the world renowned Caesar salad, where it was originally “born”. Giovanni is always intrigued by watching the ‘ensaladero’ precisely prepare one of his favorite salads. I can always whip up a Caesar salad at home, but there is no way it even comes close to theirs. Oh, and I definitely can not make limonadas con agua mineral (sparkling lemonades.) like they do. Parents, make sure to grab a glass of their house wine or beer, or even the tamarind martini, you will thank me later. Take a stroll down the vibrant Avenida Revolución, with little curios shops, and zonkeys on the street corner, what’s not to love.

Erizo is an all time favorite of ours. I totally have dreams about their green ceviche tostadas. Grab a seat on the outdoor terraza during the warmer weather months, which thankfully is most of the year in Baja California. Eat fresh mariscos to your hearts content. They offer a kids menu, that the littles can color in with crayons, which is always a lovely distraction. The fish tacos with extra crema are the top pick for the little ones here.

Although most of our trips to Tijuana with our littles in tow, involve street food or restaurant stops, we do try and pay a visit to spots like Pasaje Rodriguez to let them check out all of the colorful murals, or walk through the aquarium at Cecut. During baseball season, the Toros de Tijuana games are such fun for the kids. I mean, one of the main reasons we go to sports games is for the food right? I can’t be the only one. Well, in this case you will not be able to resist with the sweet smell of filled churros wafting by, or watching other patrons with their chamoy rimmed drinks, and tostilocos just casually walking by, like “Oh, nothing to see here.” *Lifts jaw up off of the floor.*

We frequent Telefonica Gastropark, and Foodgarden, when we want to indulge in a little bit of everything. From ceviche tostadas, to adobada ramen, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. More so than enjoying the delicious eats, they are both fun spots to people watch, and my littles love to walk by each of the food stands picking out their favorites.

Whether it be a day filled with BajaMed pizzas, catching a flick at the cinema, or racing the littles up through the different levels of the Museo de Trompo, Tijuana is filled with so many unique and exciting experiences for you and your little ones.

Tijuana: Traveling with kids | Part I