Advice: Catalina & Ensenada Ideas

Taking family of 5, ages 6-16, on cruise. Any budget friendly ideas for the two stops?

There is a small beach in Catalina right by the pier and fun little shops to roam around in and you could also rent a golf cart and check out the island. Ensenada is about a mile walk to city center and then there is more roaming to be had! I left my 6yo in camp for both stops last time. There is also a pier in catalina where you can get on a glass bottom boat or "sub" and see the fish. Its cheaper than booking through carnival. I think we may do that this time but I don't plan on taking her off the ship in Mexico.

Thank you so much for the info!

Done the four day many times. Was in Ensenada 7 times last year.

Catalina

It's a very small port. Could easily walk around. We play miniature golf, get pizza at the Arcade at the Metropole and some taffy at Lloyd's of Avalon. Sometimes we bowl at the Arcade. It's 10pin not an actual bowling alley.

There is a trolley ($) that goes around the island and does a stop at the Wrigley Garden.

Catalina Chamber of Commerce is a great resource.

Ensenada we eat. Ensenada has some very good restaurants. We like Taquiero Lindo (next to Papas n Beer) $2 tacos. A few doors down is La Michoacana (Popsicles and ice cream ($1) , Portrero Viejo for gorditas ($), Guadalajara for birria ($), El Meson del Fernando ($$), Hacienda Del Charro ($$) (excellent rotisserie chicken, it's in the window; lousy French fries). All use potable water, never had an issue.

Look at the Pacific Coastal, West Coast Departure and Mexican Riviera boards

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Other things

All those restaurants have clean bathrooms. When using the 'facility' throw all paper into the trash. Nothing except what comes out of your body goes into the toilet.

The most popular cheap street souvenir in Ensenada is a wrap bracelet. Aim for 2/$5. Leather flowered headbands are about $5. Barter, the more you buy the better negotiating power you have.

Taking family of 5, ages 6-16, on cruise. Any budget friendly ideas for the two stops?

Been to both a half dozen times. Catalina can be as inexpensive (or expensive as you want. Lots of things in walking distance and there is no need to spend any cash if you don't want. A free small museum in the casino. Plenty of small shops.

Last time we went we rented a golf cart and drove around the sights. Here is a video to take a look at what you could see

Ensenada has lots of small shops. I would do what SadieN (the poster before me ) suggested. DW and I make Ensenada a ship day. Love lazing around the ship.

Happy sailing!

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It's been a few years in Catalina Island. I can remember walking around the area after we got off the tender. There were mostly shops, but most likely food as well. We bought stuff, didn't eat. Another time, we rented a golf cart and drove around following a map. Went to the Wrigley Garden but didn't actually see it. We did venture into a museum (remember taking photos indoor) but can't remember where. It was nature related though :) Sorry.

In Ensenada, we've gone to La Bufadora (geyser) several times, and there are vendors all along that area. Another time, we were dropped off "in town" (no idea where we were), and we ate taco at one of the stands.

When we return in 2 months, I have this entire route planned out but haven't done it yet so not sure how it's going to turn out. If it all goes well, it'll give me a flavor of the town, do some shopping, eat a lot of street tacos, and visit a couple of museums: We'll walk up Avenida Ruiz, pass Hussong's ("oldest" bar in Baja and possibly home of the original Margarita), all the way up to Ave. Juarez and turn right. There should be Taco Stand #1. Keep going down Ave. Juarez to Espinoza for Taco Stand #2. Then we're going to detour to Taco Stand #3 a couple blocks away and then work our way down Espinoza to Hotel Riviera where the Cultural Center is for a visit and then to the Museo de Historia for another visit. Then back on the ship.

If someone can confirm that the route above is doable and relatively safe, perhaps this might entertain your family and would not cost that much.

During the day the area is ok but a bit sketchy.

Be very careful walking. Narrow sidewalks and their large potholes make walking hazardous

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During the day the area is ok but a bit sketchy.

 

Be very careful walking. Narrow sidewalks and their large potholes make walking hazardous

Thanks for the advice! I'm hoping there will be other tourists walking around, but I feel like once we walk up a few blocks, it'll be less and less. It doesn't help that we don't know any Spanish despite living in CA.

Thanks for the advice! I'm hoping there will be other tourists walking around, but I feel like once we walk up a few blocks, it'll be less and less. It doesn't help that we don't know any Spanish despite living in CA.

It's rare for us to see Gringos anywhere but Ave Lopez/Primera, or a few storefronts up. Might see a few at the fish market. When we walk up to the huge Calimax on Castillo & Calle 6a or even on Segundo we're usually the only Gringos in the street or in the restaurants or stores.

There's a nice tortilleria on Segundo.

I speak just enough Spanish to get into a lot of trouble. Lol. You should be fine.