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Tijuana Culture & Culinary City Tour from San Diego

Five Star Tours • 1050 Kettner Blvd. • San Diego, CA 92101
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Colorful handcrafted paper mache puppets with painted faces and costumes hang in a row at a market stall.
A city street scene at sunset with the Tijuana Arch in the background, cars on the road, pedestrians, and lit storefronts, including Hotel Nelson on the left.
Colorful "TIJUANA" sign with the phrase "Aquí Empieza la Patria" in front of palm trees, a dolphin statue, and border fence near the ocean under a blue sky.
Entrance to Mercado M. Hidalgo, an outdoor market with colorful signage and various shops visible under a yellow and orange archway.
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About Tijuana Culture & Culinary City Tour

Overview

Travel from San Diego to Tijuana on a guided Tijuana city tour featuring cultural landmarks, local markets, taco tastings, and a private tequila experience. Round-trip transportation, escorted border crossing, and a bilingual guide make this a smooth, half-day visit to Tijuana.

up to 5 hrs 1 or more people

Good To Know

  • Guided cross-border day trip from San Diego into central Tijuana neighborhoods.
  • Five-hour experience blending cultural walks with local food tastings.
  • Visit Pasaje Rodríguez, an artistic alley filled with murals, indie shops, and local creatives.
  • Wander Mercado Hidalgo, a beloved open-air market full of vibrant colors, traditional crafts, and local produce.
  • Sample street-style tacos at several well-known local taquerias.
  • Enjoy a private tequila tasting, with mezcal available upon request.
  • Round-trip transportation included for a smooth journey to and from Tijuana.
  • Fast Pass Lane return helps streamline the U.S.-Mexico border crossing.
  • A valid passport is required to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • Moderate walking required; comfortable shoes recommended.
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Promotional Images (10)
A colorful outdoor market scene with food stalls, vibrant papel picado banners overhead, fruit carts, and people walking under a bright blue sky. Two people wearing sombreros sit on a donkey painted like a zebra, surrounded by colorful decorations and signs reading "Tijuana" and "Mexico" on a street. A plate of tacos topped with chopped onions, cilantro, diced tomatoes, and pickled red onions sits on a paper plate. A white tour bus with tinted windows is parked at a curb in front of a building. An older man wearing a colorful poncho and large sombrero stands in a shop filled with vibrant Mexican pottery and souvenirs.

Description

Discover the vibrant heart of the Baja California Peninsula on a guided Tijuana city tour from San Diego. Over five hours, this immersive experience combines iconic local markets, street food, and regional tastings to highlight the city's culture, history, and world-famous flavors.

The afternoon begins with pickup in San Diego and a scenic drive south with a bilingual local guide. After entering Mexico, you'll walk through Pasaje Rodriguez, an artistic alley filled with murals, independent shops, and local creatives. Continue through Mercado Hidalgo, where colorful stalls, spices, and fresh produce reflect the rhythms of daily life in Tijuana.

Food anchors the itinerary with guided stops at top local taquerias serving classic street-style tacos. A private tequila tasting follows, highlighting regional spirits, with mezcal available upon request.

The return to San Diego takes place via the U.S. Fast Pass Lane, helping streamline re-entry at the end of the afternoon. With transportation, border guidance, and tastings included, this tour offers a well-organized half-day visit perfectly suited for travelers curious about Tijuana's food, culture, and artistic side.

Please Note: Guests must bring a valid passport to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Failure to bring valid documentation will result in denied entry into Mexico, and no refunds will be issued.
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Tijuana Culture & Culinary City Tour Reviews

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Jp0906
San Francisco, California
"Do not book - Radical Storage Santa Fe Station, San Diego"
TripAdvisor user rating 1.0 out of 5
Reviewed April 04, 2025
Wished that I was able to find the other reviewer's review here before booking, but Radical Storage only reveal the contact information AFTER you have booked and paid. Upon arriving at the Santa Fe Amtrak Station in San Diego and also walked over to the Museum of Contemporary Art I called the phone number provided by Radical Storage and spoke with Alfonso from Five Star Tours, but he denied having anything to do with this storage listing and instead offered me charter bus tours, even though the confirmation email clearly listed him as the point of contact. Take down the listing please, it's frustrating for anyone having to deal with this nonsense. To their credit, Radical Storage initiated a refund right away after I emailed them. However, they didn’t follow up on my request to have the listing removed. So if you’re reading this, please staying away. There’s nothing worse than disembarking from a cruise, walking over with your kids, parents, and a ton of luggage only to find out the storage doesn’t exist. If you’re looking for nearby storage, there’s a UPS Store on Broadway just up the block. They have a secure room for storing luggage, and the staff there are incredibly helpful.
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fsjnherman
Plano, Texas
"Awesome private day trip to Tijuana with Five Star Tours"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed April 02, 2025
Five Star Tours is awesome. We arranged to have a 12 passenger van (12 would be a tight squeeze) for 11 of us. Al picked us up in La Jolla at our hotel, drove us across the border into Tijuana, took us to multiple places we wanted to go, including Mercado Hidalgo, Revolucion and some other places. We asked Al about going to a place for straw hats. Al took us to a store that had better quality hats and it was a hit. After 6 hours in Tijuana, using the fast pass, we got back across the border in under 30 minutes. Well worth paying for the fast pass. Then back to the hotel. Al was awesome as he knows Tijuana well and got through traffic with no problem. He was very flexible with our wants and we never worried about our safety. If you want to go to Tijuana for a day trip and do it the easy way, Al and Five Star Tours is well worth it.
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marysakadjian
"Full day Mexico tour from San Diego"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed January 01, 2025
We would highly recommend this tour. We had the best tour guide and driver Al!!! He was courteous, knowledgeable, excellent driver and professional. We had delicious food fish tacos and lobster. Selection of tacos stand and restaurant was perfect. On the way back from the tour Monique our agent had suggested to buy the fast pass, and it took us less than 30 minutes to cross the border from Mexico to US. We highly recommend Five Star Tours!!!!
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91reedg
"Fun Adventure"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed December 27, 2024
We had a good time on a private tour of Tijuana, Rosarito, and Puerto Nuevo. Alfonso, our guide was very friendly and helpful. We wanted to go to Caesar’s the birthplace of the Ceasar salad and it was a highlight of our trip. We hadn’t been across the border in a long time and it was nice to just relax and see the sights. Thanks again!
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Tijuana Culture & Culinary City Tour is located at Five Star Tours • 1050 Kettner Blvd. • San Diego, CA 92101
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tijuana Culture & Culinary City Tour

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour will pick up at the Santa Fe Depot at 1050 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.

What forms of identification do I need to cross in and out of Mexico?

U.S. Citizens are required to bring a passport for re-entry into the United States. Any parents traveling with children are encouraged to carry birth certificates. For Non-U.S. Citizens, a passport, 1-94 card or resident alien card is required. Due to high-security alerts, additional paperwork may be required and is left to the guest to inquire through their local embassy.

Does the bus have a restroom?

The 50-passenger motorcoach has a restroom and is the vehicle most commonly used on this tour. The smaller motor coaches and vans do not have a restroom.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately five hours, including round-trip transportation from San Diego and time spent exploring Tijuana.

What is included in the experience?

The tour includes round-trip transportation, a bilingual local guide, cultural walks, taco tastings, and a private tequila tasting.

What kinds of food and drinks are included?

Guests sample street-style tacos from several local taquerias and enjoy a curated tequila tasting, with mezcal available upon request.

Is this tour suitable for children?

This tour is designed for guests ages 13 and older.

How much walking should I expect?

Moderate walking is required on city streets and market areas, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Does the tour operate rain or shine? Is there assigned seating?

Five Star Tours operates rain or shine and do not have assigned seating.

What should I bring on the tour?

Guests must bring a valid passport for the U.S.-Mexico border crossing. Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection, and a refillable water bottle are also recommended.

Can special requests or accessibility needs be accommodated?

Five Star Tours makes every effort to provide an inclusive experience for everyone. Please contact the tour operator in advance if you require wheelchair access, special seating, or assistance so that proper arrangements can be made.

Are gratuities included?

Gratuities are not included. A standard tip of 10–15% is appreciated for guides and drivers providing excellent service.

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