Tijuana is Mexico's busiest border city, pressed up against San Diego with one of the most crossed international borders in the world. For decades it was known primarily as a day-trip destination for cheap drinks and curios, but the city has undergone a genuine transformation. A thriving food scene — especially the street tacos and the craft beer movement centered on the Zona Río and Avenida Revolución — has put Tijuana on the culinary map.
The city sprawls across hills and canyons with a population of around two million, making it one of Mexico's largest cities. The Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT), with its distinctive spherical IMAX theater, is a good introduction to the region's culture. Avenida Revolución, the old tourist strip, still has its share of tequila bars and souvenir shops but is increasingly mixed with galleries and restaurants.
Crossing the border on foot from San Ysidro is straightforward going south but expect long waits returning north, especially on weekends. The CBX cross-border bridge connects directly to Tijuana's airport, a useful shortcut for travelers heading deeper into Mexico.