Avenida Revolución
Av. Revolución, Tijuana, Mexico
Avenida Revolución (Revolution Avenue) is the main thoroughfare of historic downtown Tijuana. Lined with cafés, restaurants, hotels, and fast-food chains, it serves as the city’s tourist center. The metallic Tijuana Arch stretches over Avenida Revolucion, greeting visitors. A recent remodeling of the avenue has brought wider sidewalks, the addition of rapid bus lanes, and a reduction in car traffic.
Many tourists and first-time visitors to Tijuana appreciate the help of a local guide and venture south of the border from San Diego to the Mexican city of Tijuana on a guided tour. These tours usually include an exploration of Avenida Revolución. In addition to the avenue itself, Pasaje Gomez and Pasaje Rodriguez, alleyways that connect the avenue to other streets, have become busy corridors full of cafés, food stalls, vibrant murals, and art galleries.
The Caesar salad was reportedly invented on Avenida Revolución by Caesar Cardini, the Italian-American proprietor of Hotel Caesar and its restaurant Caesar’s, which is still open.
In Tijuana, you may spot donkeys painted as zebras pulling carts; the “zonkey” is still considered a city icon, but the tradition seems to be declining.
The US Department of State has some travel advisories for Tijuana. Although visitors to tourist areas are rarely targeted, those considering a visit should refer to their government’s up-to-date travel advisories.
The San Ysidro Land Port of Entry is the most accessible border crossing between Tijuana and San Diego. It can be crossed on foot or via the connected El Chaparral vehicle crossing point. You can hop on San Diego’s trolley system to the last stop, San Ysidro, and then cross on foot. You’ll need a valid passport and a completed migration form to enter Mexico from the US. Guided tours from San Diego usually provide roundtrip transportation.
You’ll encounter the biggest crowds in Tijuana for spring break and in summer. Similar to California, the weather in Tijuana is pleasant year-round, making any time a good time to visit. Remember that many daily commuters cross between Tijuana and San Diego during the week; to avoid long lines at the border, travel during off-peak hours.
Not far from Avenida Revolución you’ll find Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT), a popular tourist attraction that includes museum exhibits and installations on Mexican history and culture, spaces for performances, an aquarium, gardens, and La Bola—a dome-shaped IMAX theater, affectionately called The Ball. Various events are held throughout the year, so check the venue’s calendar for up-to-date info.
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