From chocolate whips to sarongs, chilies and seashell accessories, Tijuana is a souvenir shopper's dream come true. Less than 20 miles from downtown San Diego, the city is a well-frequented point of entry for American visitors. With a not undeserved reputation for being slightly seedy, Tijuana pulses with people, bars, and markets, a cultural mix unique to towns along the border between the United States and Mexico.

Get a feel for this city on a quick sight-seeing stroll down the main strip or an afternoon at the races. For culture of the refined sort, try the Museo de las Californias in the Centro Cultural Tijuana, or enjoy a taste of regional wines on a tour of local wineries. The city has two bullrings for visitors after a little recreational violence.

Chase the sun south to Playas de Rosarito for a long stretch of sand and a place to recover from all the revelry in Tijuana. For more water-oriented activities, charter boats ply the waters for the benefit of sport fishermen, while seasonally, whale watching gets guests out of the bars and on to the boat.

Tijuana is about 15 miles from downtown San Diego and 68 miles north of Ensenada.