Podcast

Festival Opening at CEART Ensenada
 Articles, Arts & Literature, Events, Podcast

Art, Memory, and a Little Star Wars in Ensenada

The October Festival “Territories of Peace” arrived in Ensenada with color, rhythm, and plenty of heart. It’s a celebration of culture and creativity that reminds us why this coastal city is more than beaches and wine — it’s also soul.

Organized by the Baja California Secretary of Culture, the festival opened at the State Center for the Arts (CEART) and the City Theater. Crowds filled both venues, eager to enjoy performances, exhibitions, and conversations that mixed memory, art, and emotion.

Remembering, Reflecting, and Reconnecting

To begin with, the festival featured a film and panel marking the 57th anniversary of the 1968 Student Movement. It also included the exhibit tour “XV Años HH/CRIA”, a tribute to artist Héctor Herrera, who has spent fifteen years creating pieces that spark reflection.

Meanwhile, the multicultural group Sonora brought emotion to the stage with “Memorias de un General.” Through movement, music, and storytelling, the piece connected the audience with Mexico’s collective memory.

“The CEART is a living space that belongs to the community,” said Octavio Gutiérrez García, the center’s general coordinator. “Each activity becomes a bridge for reflection, where locals can see themselves, feel, and share experiences.”

And honestly, that’s a bridge we could all use — especially these days.

Festival of October Arrives in Ensenada
#No tickets, no excuses. The Festival de Octubre turned Ensenada’s plazas into living galleries — free, fun, and totally Baja.

Coming Up Next

As the month continues, the festival’s energy spreads through Ensenada’s cultural scene.

On October 8, the play “Rastreadoras” from Guanajuato takes the stage at the CEART Experimental Forum. This production blends butoh dance, shadow projections, and music to portray the pain and strength of mothers searching for their missing children.

Later, on October 14, audiences will enjoy “El Viaje del Alma.” This Baja California performance offers a soulful night of boleros with just voice and guitar, exploring the beauty of love, heartbreak, and memory.

Finally, on October 17, prepare for an intergalactic trip. The Baja California Orchestra and the State Music System will perform “El Imperio Musical,” a Star Wars tribute with over 90 musicians, directed by Armando Pesqueira.

The show is free, but seats will vanish faster than a Jedi in trouble.

A Statewide Celebration

Throughout Baja California, the October Festival will bring 140 events featuring 943 artists from 12 Mexican states and Los Angeles, California. In every municipality, music, theater, and art will fill public spaces, creating moments of peace and connection.

Importantly, the theme “Territories of Peace” reminds us that culture is more than entertainment — it’s a way to heal, rebuild, and strengthen communities.

Why It Matters to Baja California

Events like this one play a crucial role in shaping Baja California’s cultural identity. Because the region is a crossroads of ideas, languages, and influences, festivals become meeting points where diversity turns into pride. They give artists a platform, invite families to explore their roots, and remind younger generations that creativity isn’t just a pastime — it’s part of who we are. When art fills plazas and theaters, it strengthens the social fabric just as much as any public work project.

Ensenada’s Creative Pulse

For Ensenada, this festival is part of its heartbeat. Between the vineyards and the ocean breeze, creativity continues to define this city. Here, art is not an escape — it’s a mirror, showing who we are and what we hope to become.

From mothers dancing for justice to orchestras celebrating galaxies far, far away, Ensenada’s cultural energy feels alive again. So bring a friend, wear something warm, and let the music do the talking.

Because in Ensenada, peace doesn’t just sound good — it plays in every note.

0 81
Swinging Through Sunshine
 Articles, Baja Norte, Events, Podcast

Baja Blooms Bright on the Ruta de las Flores

Every fall, Baja sheds her dusty summer coat and slips into something far more dramatic—gold, amber, and tangerine. It’s cempasúchil season, and the land looks like someone spilled sunshine across the hills. These flowers, known as Mexican marigolds, are more than decoration. They’re symbols of memory, warmth, and welcome.

For generations, families have planted them to honor their loved ones during Día de Muertos. Now, those same fields have become part of the Ruta de las Flores, a colorful trail that runs through Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada.

A Golden Tradition in Full Bloom

Between September and November, Baja transforms into a living postcard. The Ruta de las Flores, promoted by Baja California’s Tourism Office, invites locals and travelers alike to visit ranches where flowers stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s an easy day trip, but one that fills your camera roll fast.

Each stop has its own charm. In Tijuana, the Cueros de Venado circuit surrounds you with tidy rows of bright orange blossoms and the hum of bees at work. The scent is earthy with a hint of citrus—something between sunlight and nostalgia.

As you drive south to Rosarito, the landscape softens. The Cañón Alisitos, Cañón Histórico Rosarito, Cañón El Descanso, and Cañón El Médano all burst with color, framed by palm trees and sea breeze. Here, you’ll find local families selling pumpkins, vegetables, and fresh-cut flowers. Some have added mazes, swings, and even altars decorated with papel picado.

And this year, the celebration extends farther south into Ensenada, where Ejido Uruapan joins the route with the rural calm of the Valle de la Grulla. It’s a new addition, but it already feels like it’s been part of the trail forever.

Marigolds Meet the Mountains
#Fields of gold stretch toward the hills of Rosarito, turning every ridge into a backdrop for Baja’s most photogenic season.

📍 Ubicación probable: Cañón Alisitos, Playas de Rosarito, Baja California.
The Altars of Autumn
#Scarecrows, papel picado, and marigold arches—because in Baja, Día de Muertos comes with ranch style and a side of color.

📍 Ubicación probable: Rancho en Cañón El Médano, Rosarito.

Beyond the Marigolds: MD Vinos Joins the Celebration

While most stops showcase endless fields of orange marigolds, MD Vinos offers a different view of Baja in bloom. Located in the same valley, this small family winery adds its golden touch to the season with a sunflower field right next to its vineyards.

The result is pure harmony—sunflowers rising tall toward the sky while grapevines rest below, waiting for harvest. Visitors can stroll through the sunflower rows (entry is free) or sip a glass of local Chardonnay as the light turns warm and honey-colored. There’s even a pumpkin patch for kids and shaded picnic spots for those who prefer their flowers with a side of rosé.

MD Vinos opens its gates starting October 10, from Tuesday to Sunday (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Monday (9 a.m.–3 p.m.). It’s one of several participating spots in the valley, and together they create a perfect mix of color, culture, and flavor.

The Spirit of Baja in Every Petal

The Ruta de las Flores isn’t just for pretty pictures—it’s a story of community. Every bouquet sold supports local families. Every visit brings life to rural tourism. And every marigold grown represents a link between the living and those remembered.

Over the years, this event has helped position Baja as more than just beaches and wine country. It’s also a land where tradition still thrives under the open sky. And while Michoacán may have its famous flower fields, Baja’s version comes with ocean wind, mountain light, and a touch of ranch-style hospitality.

Where the Sunflowers Toast the Sky
#At MD Vinos in Valle de la Grulla, golden sunflowers rise beside the vineyards, proving Baja’s harvest isn’t just in grapes. 📍 Ubicación confirmada: MD Vinos, Ejido Uruapan, Valle de la Grulla, Ensenada.

When to Go and What to Bring

The best time to visit is mid-October, when the flowers reach peak bloom. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and extra space on your phone for photos—you’ll need it. The route can be done by car or with local tour operators, who often include stops for food, shopping, and those irresistible roadside antojitos.

So, before the petals fade and the altars rise, take a drive along the Ruta de las Flores. Wander between the rows. Smell the soil, the sweetness, and the effort it carries. In Baja, beauty isn’t staged—it’s cultivated.

And as we like to say around here: No bad news, just better views.

📍 Find MD Vinos on Google Maps

📞 WhatsApp: 646 383 4353 | 646 116 6397 | 686 232 0539

0 223
Splash Baja by Night | Waves, Lights and Flavor
 Articles, Podcast, Rosarito

From Waves to Plates, Splash Baja Celebrates 16 Years

From bartender to builder

Baja has many oceanfront eateries, but Splash Baja hits different. The waves smack the rocks, plates land heavy with oysters, and the vibe never feels staged. Nico and Agapo Santos, two brothers with more grit than glamour, built it that way.

Agapo came from Chihuahua chasing law school, only to ditch statutes for sauté pans. He learned high-end American gourmet in kitchens that served venison, buffalo, and even kangaroo. Nico meanwhile poured drinks, charmed tourists, and learned English fast enough to sling jokes at the bar. Together, they traded steady jobs for Bahía Cantiles in 2007, survived a brutal recession, and kept standing when others folded.

That survival streak sparked their next chapter: a raw patch of coast where waves hit the windows. Locals said, “Who eats there?” The Santos brothers said, “Everyone will.” They named it Splash—short, catchy, and exactly what the surf was doing.

An anniversary worth toasting

On September 21, Splash marked its 16th anniversary. While Mexico throws its big party on the 16th, this family-run spot waits a few days to raise its own glass. For regulars, it’s a reminder that while fiestas come and go, some traditions—like oysters and rib-eye by the sea—stick around.

Built block by block

The first menu was stripped to basics: ceviches, tacos, aguachiles, shrimp cocktails. Prices were local, not tourist-trap numbers. Americans already knew the brothers’ hospitality, so curiosity carried them in. Soon enough, Splash had both crowds—weekend locals in flip-flops and Californians with fresh passports.

Growth wasn’t sudden. They bought land in pieces, poured cement when money allowed, and upgraded one slab at a time. Pandemic closures pushed them to improvise an outdoor bar so people could sip beer with take-out. Guests loved it, so the “temporary” fix grew legs.

Today, the property spans more than 1,600 square meters facing the Pacific. It’s a sprawl of patios, decks, and dining rooms where the sea soundtrack never stops.

Adriana brings the sweet side

Every family needs the next generation to shake things up. Enter Adriana, Nico’s daughter. She trained at the Culinary Art School in Tijuana, polished her skills in Barcelona, and brought back a pastry toolkit sharper than a new chef’s knife.

She started with desserts. Think silky tiramisú, caramel-cracked crème brûlée, and glossy tartlets that look like edible jewelry. Sure, there’s still chocolate cake and cheesecake, but Adriana lifted the end of the meal into a new lane. Her long-term dream is a café-bistro with a pastry focus. For now, she feeds the sweet tooth of Splash’s crowd.

Why people stay

Food matters, but Splash’s secret sauce is people. Nico takes care of his crew. Staff stick around, and regulars notice. Ask Sr. Claudio, one of the veterans, why he still loves working here. He’ll grin and give you a story. That culture shows in the service—efficient, warm, sometimes a little chaotic, always real.

The menu mirrors the family’s journey. You’ll find Mexican comfort—chiles rellenos, enchiladas, tacos. You’ll find American grill standards—rib-eye, porterhouse, big sandwiches. There’s Italian too: wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and even a Governor’s Pizza loaded with shrimp. And yes, the mariscos still headline.

The legacy in motion

Splash didn’t just grow; it dragged a sleepy strip of Primo Tapia onto the food map. Neighboring restaurants like El Encanto and Los Portales? Their founders once trained at Splash. Instead of resenting it, the brothers see it as proof they built something bigger than a restaurant.

Future plans include a sushi bar with proper cuts—tuna, salmon, urchin, caviar—the kind of thing a coast like this deserves. Until then, Splash keeps doing what it does best: feeding Baja with heart, hustle, and salt spray.

So next time you roll south, pull off at KM 52.5 of the Libre Rosarito–Ensenada. Sit close enough to feel the spray. Order oysters, steak, and dessert. Don’t forget to ask Claudio why he’s still smiling. And if it’s September 16, raise your glass. You’re not just toasting Mexico—you’re toasting Splash.

0 282