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One of the features to see while visiting Ensenada, Mexico, is the Black Market.

No one local seems to know why it is named such, and when I suggested that it might - at one time in history - been an "underground" market selling fish, they seemed to like that idea.

Ensenada is home to the only deep-water port in the state of Baja California and on the Baja California Peninsula. The port is part of standard international shipping routes including cruise lines which bring in tourists daily. This generates large revenue for the city.

There's GOLD in them thar hills!!

It was February of 1889 when Southern California newsmen popularized the story of gold being discovered in Baja California, Mexico. Based primarily on hearsay, these rumors and dreams of finding gold were published in short pamphlets, newspapers and mining journals. Men with their dreams of striking it rich came here from all over the world to find their fortune. One of them was John Hussong.

Our hotel was in a clean neighborhood a bit of a walk to the downtown touristy area. This meant that it was pretty quiet. An OXXO store (similar to a 711) was conveniently on the next corner so purchasing drinking water and miscellaneous items was easy. We utilized Uber and Didi driving services often during our stay here, and we even had Uber deliver food! So easy!!

Playa Hermosa stretches about 12 miles with no structures built on the beach, so the view is unobstructed. We were told that there was good surfing here, but the waves we saw today weren't the sufin' kind. There are no rocks on this beach, a gentle slope into the sea, but apparently there can be strong rip currents.

i-petra, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

We came to the Guadalupe Valley in Baja California, Mexico specifically to taste their world-class wines. Many times we were told "This is the Napa Valley of Mexico." i-petra was recommended to us by someone we met at The Black Market. Saying the views were incredible, and the food was worthy, he had been there for a family wedding and said we should go.

Billy and I went to Ensenada and specifically to the Valley of Guadalupe to taste the wines available in this region. Over and over we were told that this was the "Napa Valley of Mexico." Having owned a famous boutique restaurant in Santa Cruz, California for a decade, our wine list had over 100 selections - more than any other restaurant in town. So, naturally, tasting the wines in this region was a great interest of ours.

Billy pans Playa Hermosa, a surfer’s beach in Ensenada, Baja California from a restaurant where we ate lunch. Wide open beach with an international port. Weather has been great and later in the day there were people riding horses along the coast. Take a look!

Visiting Ensenada, Baja California in Mexico, we went to the Black Market. This market is well-known for the freshest fish in the area and is surrounded by restaurants selling these treasures of the sea. Billy takes you on a tour of this famous fish market.

Up in the mountainous wine region of Guadalupe Valley in Baja California, Mexico, we are at the Oeno Wine Lodge, I-Petra Restaurant. Beautiful Natural boulders as scenery, you can see the vineyards in the distance. Very delicious food served here!

Here you can listen to professional Banda music at a restaurant on Sunday in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Banda is a traditional mix of German Polka from German immigrants who migrated to Mexico and Mexican style influence. It is LOUD and proud!