San Diego

Baja’s Moving… in Its Own Way
 Articles, Breaking News, Ensenada, San Diego, Tijuana

Baja’s New Ferry Waits, Tijuana’s Viaduct Shrinks—Progress, Baja Style

Baja California is on the move… sort of. Ensenada has a shiny new ferry sitting pretty at the dock. Tijuana’s long-promised viaduct is, well, shorter than promised. It’s progress—just not the fast-lane kind.

Ferry Fantasy Meets Dockside Reality

The Azteca Express I made its grand entrance into Ensenada’s port on July 25. Locals cheered, phones snapped, and Instagram lit up. But anyone hoping to hop on for San Diego this week is in for a plot twist—the first passenger trip won’t be until late August.

Phase one will carry people only—no cars until next year—but it will have a bar on board. Because priorities. It’ll seat about 230 passengers and take 2.5 to 3 hours each way.

Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but early chatter points to $70 USD one-way or around $130 USD round trip. The experience promises full customs and immigration checks at both ends—think “airport with a sea breeze.”

The San Diego–Ensenada ferry arrived on July 25 with room for 330 passengers, but no launch date or tickets are available yet. Here’s everything we know so far.
#The San Diego–Ensenada ferry arrived on July 25 with room for 330 passengers, but no launch date or tickets are available yet. Here’s everything we know so far.

Viaduct Loses the Beach

Meanwhile, in Tijuana, the Viaducto Elevado—that elevated road designed to whisk drivers from the airport toward Playas—has officially been downsized. The new plan ends the road at Cañón del Matadero, about 1.5 kilometers short of the beach.

The change trims the original 10.5-kilometer project and cuts Playas de Tijuana out of the direct link. Local residents worry this will dump traffic into their neighborhoods and worsen the rush. Officials say the viaduct is still on track to open late 2025 or early 2026.

Same Goal, Different Routes

In a way, both projects have the same mission—make it easier to move people and goods in and out of Baja. But like a good Baja road trip, there are always detours.

The ferry is stuck in “coming soon” mode. The viaduct is trimming its route. Neither is a total win yet, but each inch forward matters for a region that relies on cross-border travel like fish rely on water.

We’ll take the progress, even if it comes in small, slightly salty steps.

Viaduct in Action
#Workers and machines hustle under the sun, assembling what might just be the fastest road Tijuana has never seen… yet.

Quick Facts:

ProjectStatusETAFun Fact
Ensenada–SD FerryDocked, delayedLate August 2025Has a bar before it has car space
Tijuana ViaductRoute shortenedLate 2025/Early 2026Lost the beach but kept the traffic

Baja’s building momentum—just not at the speed locals (or drivers) might hope for. But hey, at least we’re not bored.

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 Breaking News, San Diego

Shaky Monday Morning—5.2 Earthquake Rattles San Diego

Baja Feels It Too

If your coffee trembled this morning—it wasn’t the caffeine. At around 10:08 a.m., a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Julian, in the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego.

The quake shook much of Southern California, and yes, folks in Tijuana and Mexicali felt it too. No serious damage has been reported on either side of the border, but that jolt was enough to get our hearts racing.

Minor damages Protección Civil
Minor damage, according to Protección Civil.

Authorities in Baja California confirmed that the quake was felt lightly in urban areas. No injuries or major damages have been reported as of press time, but local Protección Civil teams are staying alert in case aftershocks follow.

So, should you panic? Nope. But should you double-check your emergency plan and maybe refill that earthquake kit? Absolutely.

You can track real-time seismic activity here: earthquake.usgs.gov

Even minor quakes remind us—Baja is quake country. Preparedness beats surprise every time. And if you felt it, the USGS wants your input: Did You Feel It? Report It Here

At the Gringo Gazette North, we don’t do bad news—but we do help you stay standing when the earth doesn’t.

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 Baja Norte, Ensenada, San Diego

Ensenada-San Diego Ferry Project Moving Forward

The project to operate a ferry, a large vessel that can transport vehicles and people, that makes regular trips between San Diego and Ensenada, is very advanced and could be consolidated in the upcoming summer season. Kurt Honold Morales, Secretary of Economy and Innovation in Baja California, reported that the federal authorities of Mexico and the United States have approved the project, and discussions are underway with various agencies to address the details. He highlighted the interest in this proposal of Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda and the Secretary of the Mexican Navy, Rafael Ojeda Durán.

They have already acquired the vessel. Honold Morales added that the representatives of the company Azteca Ferrys, which will be responsible for providing the service, have already purchased the vessel, which complies with all safety standards and environmental regulations. Additionally, the state official said that they are in dialogue with the port authorities of San Diego, as well as the Administration of the National Port System (Asipona) Ensenada. He emphasized that, tentatively for this year’s summer, regular maritime tours connecting both countries could begin.

Another project that is well advanced, he stressed, is the so-called “trolley” San Diego-Tijuana, which is being carried out by the same company that planned and operates the border crossing at the Tijuana airport and has been very successful.

SOURCE: Gerardo Sánchez, El Vigia

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 Baja Norte, Breaking News, San Diego

Baja Promotes its Sport Fishing Activities in San Diego

The coasts of Baja California offer the experience of enjoying sport fishing for most of the year, due to their variety of climates, landscapes, and species, highlighted the Secretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sepesca), Alma Rosa García Juárez, while participating in the traditional “Day at the Dock’s” event in San Diego. The state official brought greetings from Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, at a family-friendly gathering attended by hundreds of sport fishing enthusiasts, including promoters who showed interest in the attractions of Baja California at all times.

The event, convened by Ken Franke, president of the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC), was attended by the Mexican Consul General in San Diego, Carlos González Gutiérrez, as well as Alberto Lozano, tourism promoter from the same diplomatic mission. García Juárez indicated that it is important for Baja California to have a presence at this symbolic and traditional meeting, in a friendly atmosphere that brings together service providers, enthusiasts, and professionals in sport fishing.

She said that, as neighboring states, California and Baja California are part of a region of interest to many service providers who participate in this exciting and generous activity. “The landscapes, variety of species, and climate make it possible for us to enjoy the benefits of the sea in Baja California for most of the year, especially with a culture of years, from those who live close to the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez,” she said. She recalled that this year, 11 official tournaments have been scheduled in this state, in a calendar supported by SEPESCA, which will take place mainly in the Bay of Ensenada, San Quintín, Bahía de los Ángeles, Isla de Cedros, and San Felipe.

Of the 11 official tournaments, she highlighted the International Championship “Copa Baja California” which consists of 4 tournaments: in San Felipe (June 23 and 24), Bahía de los Ángeles (July 21 and 22), Ensenada (August 25 and 26), and the grand final in San Quintín (September 22 and 23). She also mentioned that the “Bluefin Tuna Tournament” is scheduled (May 26, 27 and 28), and the first exclusive women’s tournament, called “Queens of the Sea” (October 20 and 21). She indicated that information on sport fishing destinations and tournaments is available on the website bajacalifornia.gob.mx/sepesca, which has an interactive design that interested parties can access. She informed them that, as sport fishing practitioners, they can travel to Mexico with a boat on a trailer, for which they must complete a federal procedure, consisting of temporary importation at Banjercito offices, for which they must have a passport and legal information about their boat.

From May to September, the SEPESCA head suggested that the best months for sport fishing in Baja California are from May to September when bluefin tuna, castilla mackerel, dorado, croaker, marlin, bonita, grouper, sea bass, snapper, rockfish, sole, vieja, or lingcod, among others, can be caught. It is worth noting that the California Sportfishing Association offered to disseminate the sport fishing activities that will take place during the year in Baja California through its digital media.

SOURCE: El Vigia

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 Arts & Literature, Breaking News, Calendar of Events, San Diego

‘¡Que Viva Cine Latino!’ Outdoor Film Series Returns this September with Selena, COCO, Ana Serradilla, y más!

San Ysidro, CA (August 27, 2019) – The San Diego Latino Film Festival is proud to announce the return of it’s Outdoor Latino film series, ¡Que Viva Cine Latino!, to San Ysidro this September. The series, presented by Las Americas Premium Outlets, will showcase some of the latest and best Latino films under the stars.

Movie lovers will enjoy outstanding and renowned Latino movies in a unique, outdoor setting. The event will take place every Wednesday in September (4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th) beginning at 6:30 p.m. with live entertainment, art exhibits and costume contests at select screenings at the Paseo del Arte corridor at Las Americas Premium Outlets, located between the Old Navy and Coach stores.

“We are pleased to host ¡Que Viva Cine Latino! for the third consecutive year. This is a phenomenal opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate Latinx culture in a family-friendly setting.” said Megan Madrigal, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Las Americas Premium Outlets. “We are proud of our partnership with the Media Arts Center San Diego and encourage guests to come enjoy live music, movies and much more.”

The film selection will feature this year’s romantic comedy La Boda de mi Mejor amigo starring Ana Serradilla (September 4th); the animated adventure film Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse (September 11th); Selena, the biographical drama about the Tejano music star Selena (September 18th); and Coco, the Pixar sensation and new animated classic celebrating Día de los Muertos (September 25th).

All screenings are free and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and grab a snack at one of the many food locations throughout the center.

 

About Las Americas Premium Outlets®

Las Americas Premium Outlets offers more than 125 outlet stores, including impressive savings at Adidas, Banana Republic, Kipling, Disney Outlet, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Factory Store, Guess, J.Crew Factory, kate spade new york, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour and more. The property is located in the southern region of San Diego County, off I-5, the primary north-south corridor on Camino de la Plaza, the last exit before the international border crossing into Mexico. For more information, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/lasamericas or call 619-934-8400. Follow Las Americas Premium Outlets on Twitter and Instagram at @lasamericaspo, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lasamericaspremiumoutlets.

 

About Simon

Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and an S&P100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe, and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual sales. For more information, visit simon.com.

 

About Media Arts Center San Diego

Media Arts Center San Diego, a 501 c(3) non-profit organization, has been promoting independent cinema and teaching the art of filmmaking for over 24 years in the San Diego – Baja California Region. Its programs and services include Youth Media & Tech Camps, Teen Producers Project, the Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, Digital Gym CINEMA, iVIE Awards & Student Film Festival, and Community Video Production Services.

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