The Centro Cultural Tijuana, universally known as CECUT, is the most architecturally striking building in the city. The main hall, topped by a 37-metre geodesic sphere housing an Omnimax cinema, sits beside the Agua Caliente Boulevard in Zona Río and anchors the cultural life of the city.
Inside, the Museum of the Californias traces the history of the Baja California peninsula from pre-Columbian times through the missions and into the modern era. The collection is well-curated and the English-language signage is decent. Temporary exhibitions occupy a large gallery space and often include work by Tijuana and Baja artists. The complex also has a bookshop with a good selection of regional history and literature.
The Omnimax sphere runs films throughout the day — mostly nature documentaries and popular science. Even if you skip the film, standing inside the entrance to look at the sphere from outside is worth the detour. The surrounding plaza hosts concerts and public events, especially on weekend evenings.