Best of Valle de Guadalupe: Our Travel Guide from Wine Tastings to Restaurants and How to Get There

 

Just a short drive south of San Diego lies a hidden gem for wine enthusiasts and foodies: Valle de Guadalupe. Renowned for its world-class wineries, the region offers an unparalleled opportunity to indulge in wine tasting, savor exquisite culinary experiences, and immerse oneself in the beauty of the Baja California countryside.

Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply seeking a relaxing getaway, Valle de Guadalupe promises an unforgettable experience. Join us as we explore this captivating destination.

Things to do in Valle de Guadalupe

There are many things to do in Valle de Guadalupe, but when visiting, we focus our main activity on escaping the city and enjoying some good wine and delicious food.

 

Wine Tasting in Valle de Guadalupe

Valle de Guadalupe is lined with excellent wineries, and we have had a good experience.

 Talia is wearing a Maxi Dress from Cocopiña

Adobe Guadalupe: We love the property's traditional-modern Hispanic architecture, which makes wine tasting even more enjoyable. Adobe Guadalupe also offers bed and breakfast lodging. Additionally, you can enjoy a scenic excursion through the vineyard on horseback.

Bruma: Bruma is one of the must-visit wineries and vineyards. With beautifully maintained gardens and stunning views, it's a great place to relax and enjoy some wine. 

Monte Xanic: Another stunning vineyard, Monte Xanic is one of the region's most established wineries. They offer guided tours and even picnics amidst the vineyards.

El Cielo: This family-owned winery offers fantastic wines and a warm and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for relaxed wine tasting. 

Casa Magoni: With its charming tasting room and delicious food offerings, Casa Magoni provides a delightful experience.

 

Where to eat in Valle de Guadalupe?

After a successful wine tasting, you might get an appetite, and luckily, there are plenty of really good restaurants in Valle de Guadalupe.

 

For a taste of genuine Moroccan cuisine, visit Kous Kous, where aromatic spices and flavorful tagines take center stage.

Oja is a cozy eatery specializing in modern Mexican dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Also, you might see some zebras.

La Justina is located next to the vineyards and offers amazing cocktails and delicious food.

Valle Farms offers a farm-to-table dining experience featuring each dish's freshest regional produce and ingredients.

Primitivo entices diners with its Mediterranean-inspired menu, featuring classic flavors with a contemporary twist.

Conchas de Piedra is the perfect option for craving seafood, especially shellfish. All seafood products are strictly seasonal, responsible, and sourced 100% from Baja California.

Fauna is a great place to have a family-style dinner. The restaurant gets busy on weekends, so make a reservation.

Bruma Wine Garden provides a delightful ambiance for savoring local wines accompanied by small plates of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie.

 

Where to stay in Valle de Guadalupe

Whether staying amidst the lavender farms at Montevalle, enchanting treehouses at Boskenvid, or charming hacienda at Adobe Guadalupe. There are many options for where to stay in Valle de Guadalupe.

Montevalle: Beautiful individual villas amidst lavender fields, offering a serene ambiance. The hotel features an on-site restaurant with exceptional cuisine. Montevalle is the perfect destination for relaxation, spa treatments, and yoga classes.

Boskenvid: For a more rustic charm, Boskenvid offers cozy tree house style cottages.

 

Adobe Guadalupe: Adobe Guadalupe offers beautifully decorated individual rooms in their simply stunning main building.

Talia is wearing our Tera Maxi Skirt and Sofia Crop Top

 

Is Valle de Guadalupe Safe?

Valle de Guadalupe is generally considered a safe destination, but it's essential to exercise common sense precautions. As with any travel destination, it's advisable to be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night.

 

How to get to Valle de Guadalupe?

Crossing the Border to Mexico

The excitement of exploring Valle de Guadalupe starts with the journey there. While the drive from San Diego is relatively short, crossing the border can be time-consuming. So far, we have only had a little traffic crossing into Mexico, and if there is a line, it's usually pretty short.

When using Google or Apple Maps, it sometimes tries to route you through tecate or take some shortcuts using the mountain roads. When driving to Valle de Guadalupe and back, we recommend driving along the coast on the 1D/1 highway.

 

Crossing the Border to the U.S. with SENTRI

When crossing the border to the U.S., the San Ysidro border crossing is the main entry point, but there may be long wait times using the regular border crossing lanes, especially on weekends and holidays. To speed up your return journey, consider enrolling in the SENTRI program, which allows for faster clearance through customs. It usually takes us less than generally taking less than 30 minutes to cross back into the U.S. with SENTRI.

 

The biggest challenge when using SENTRI is finding the SENTRI lane. Avoid using your final destination in Google or Apple Maps, as this may direct you to the regular border crossing lane. You cannot change lanes once in the regular border crossing lane, and your estimated arrival time may be significantly delayed.

 

Waypoint 1: Honda Tijuana (https://maps.app.goo.gl/p5tS3qWnFyrHo5QB9)

To ensure you do not miss the Sentri entry lane, add "Honda Tijuana" as a stop in your navigation. The Honda dealership has a large red sign and is an easy-to-spot waypoint. Just before the Honda dealership, there is an intersection that can be confusing. If you turn wrong, find the next chance to turn around and get onto Blvd. Padre Kino. Do not solely rely on your GPS, as it may direct you to the regular border crossing lane. If you see the Honda dealership, you are on the correct road.

 

Waypoint 2: Sentri Entry Point (https://maps.app.goo.gl/y9NryJDqegX8xvx17)

Continue north on Blvd. Padre Kino, proceed straight to the roundabout. You should see a car wash on your right. Look for a separate lane and a sign marking the Sentri lane. 

Follow the dedicated Sentri lane until you reach the last intersection before the border crossing. Follow the sign to the Global Entry Sentri Lane, and you will successfully arrive at the SENTRI Entry Point.

 

Your vehicle must be registered with SENTRI, and all passengers must also have SENTRI. If you are traveling with friends who do not have SENTRI, they can walk across the border, and you can pick them up after crossing the border. This is quicker than using the regular border crossing lane.