Valle de Guadalupe Itinerary – 3 Days
Valle de Guadalupe is a picturesque wine region located in Baja California. The region has warm days and cool nights, and nearby ocean breezes, creating optimal conditions for cultivating grapes. The region produces a diverse selection of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo (my favorite!), Grenache, Tempranillo, and more. This Valle de Guadalupe Itinerary and travel guide will help you plan the perfect weekend trip to Mexico’s wine country!
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Getting There & Back
Valle de Guadalupe is about 25 miles inland from the coastal city of Ensenada, and only two hours south of San Diego, making it an easy weekend trip for Californians. Tijuana International Airport is the closest airport to Valle de Guadalupe, and is a two hour drive.
If you are coming from San Diego, make sure to apply for Global Entry for expedited entry back to the U.S. on your return. This credit card credits you up to $100 on Global Entry and has a ton of other great travel-related perks, like lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, and a 75,000 point sign up bonus.
There are two main routes to get to Valle de Guadalupe from San Diego:
- The scenic coastal route through Tijuana to Ensenada
- The less busy “Ruta del Vino” through Tecate
I’ve been to Valle twice, and have taken each route once. It really is a matter of personal preference- the Tijuana route will take more time but you have the option of stopping along the coast, while the Tecate route is quicker and had no traffic when I went.
How to Get Around
Once you arrive in Guadalupe, you have a few options for transportation:
- Hire a private driver like this one and explore on your own time – on my last trip, we used this company, and our driver was amazing! She was friendly and provided some local recommendations. The driver was $125 for 8 hours, and you could hire the driver for additional time.
- Join an organized small group tour like this one
- Drive yourself. Just beware, many of the local roads are not paved and very difficult to drive.
Day 1 Itinerary
To begin this 3 Day Valle de Guadalupe itinerary, leave early from San Diego.
- Take the Ruta del Vino route through Tecate and arrive in Valle de Guadalupe in less than two hours.
- Stop at Bruma Wine Garden for a wine tasting, then head over to Fauna for a delicious lunch at picnic-style communal tables
- More wine tasting at Shedeh Vinicola
- Be greeted by zebras at Oja Valle
- Enjoy some drinks and food at Bloodlust Winebar
Day 2 Itinerary
- Eat breakfast at Wa Kumiai Tabita. Make sure to try the cordero or barbacoa! The restaurant opens at 9am and does not take reservations.
- Meet your driver that you booked for the day
- Wine tasting at El Cielo
- Wine tasting at Vinos Lechuga
- Eat lunch under a 200 year old oak tree at Animalon, named one of the 50 best restaurants in Latin America
- Enjoy an intimate wine tasting at Trevista vineyard, only open for tastings on Saturdays at 12pm and 3pm
- Head to Damiana for dinner
Day 3 Itinerary
- Wake up early and arrive at La Cocina de Doña Esthela when it opens at 8am to avoid a line (they do not accept reservations). Order a cafe de olla (cinnamon coffee), birria (beef or lamb), and hot cake de elote (corn pancakes).
- Stop at Rondo del Valle for a wine tasting. Have a picnic at Aires de Lavanda, the lavender fields on the property, and shop the lavender products made from these flowers.
- Head next door and order the margarita flight at King & Queen Cantina.
- Take the coastal route back to San Diego and stop at Los Portales de Garcia, a beautiful multi-level restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
What to Do in Valle de Guadalupe
- Eat a big breakfast to prepare you for a day of wine tasting!
- Hire the private driver mentioned above to take you around for the day.
- Visit the lavender fields at Aires de Lavanda, and shop their natural lavender products
- Visit a local olive oil producer, such as Finca La Carrodilla, for a tasting tour and learn about the olive oil-making process.
- Sample artisanal cheeses paired with local wines at at Rancho La Campana
- Have dinner at the region’s gastronomic gems and farm to table restaurants
- Ride horses through the vineyards at Adobe Guadalupe
Wineries to Visit in Valle de Guadalupe
- El Cielo – large resort with excellent wines
- Rondo del Valle – fantastic wines, don’t miss the lavender fields on the property
- Viñedos de la Reina – delicious wine and views
- Bruma – great wines
- Vinedos de Santana – great wines, family business, great service
- Vinos Lechuza – great wines, friendly staff
- Viñas de Garza – small batch production and handcrafted wines
- Monte Xanic – known for innovative wine making techniques and premium wines
Where to Stay in Valle de Guadalupe
- You can either stay in Valle de Guadalupe or Ensenada.
- El Cielo Resort has gorgeous grounds, excellent wines, and food
- Hacienda Los Olivos is a great lower cost option that is central to many wineries in the area. I stayed here on my last trip.
Last traveled: April 2024
For more Mexico travel tips, check out the Mexico Travel Guide.