Ensenada / CatalinaTips? (Navigator OTS)

[IRMO12HD]

Any tips on things to do or see in Ensenada?  Or Catalina? My wrist is still in healing mode, so no strenuous activities or adventures for me.  I'm much more inclined to walk around, and maybe take in a museum, than go on a tour bus.

[cruisellama]

8 hours ago, IRMO12HD said:

Any tips on things to do or see in Ensenada?  Or Catalina? My wrist is still in healing mode, so no strenuous activities or adventures for me.  I'm much more inclined to walk around, and maybe take in a museum, than go on a tour bus.

Catalina a nice place to walk around.  The town is Avalon and there's a circular structure called the Casino  on the beach (not gaming).   Boutique eateries etc.     They raise bison on the island and you used to be able to purchase  bison burgers, but been many years since I've been there.  Can't comment on Ensenada.

[Karla Jensen]

See my previous post about Ensenada above.

 

[IRMO12HD]

1 hour ago, Karla Jensen said:

See my previous post about Ensenada above.

 

Thanks @Karla JensenI found your tips really helpful!

[CruisingNewb]

Honestly, if you have not been to Catalina or Ensenada before, I would not book shore excursions.  

For first timers, there is so much to explore and see just by walking around.  

Catalina - eat at Avalon Seafood.  Cheaper ocean fare and the smoked Albacore was amazing! Also, there is a mom and pop coffee place called Catalina Coffee that has good coffee and free wi-fi (at least they did when we went in 2018.  Just walk around, go back to an empty ship and enjoy the ship.

Ensenada - well...my wife has a saying, anywhere you go, just don't look down.  Many people will likely comment on how dirty and smelly Ensenada can be.  This pretty much describes any major US metro.  Go walk around, have some Mariscos, eat tacos at a small taco shop.  Buy (or don't buy) a cheap ukelele, and go back to the ship and enjoy an empty ship.  Oh...we spent some time at Hussongs, but we are older folk now with older kids...not likely going to do the drinking at 10 am scene anymore.

IF you want to do an excursion in Ensenada, we tried the horse back riding on the beach.  For what its worth, it was nice.  

[drsadowski20]

We used Jorge Luis Perez for a tour of Valle De Guadalupe while in Ensenada.  I had contacted him a month or so via email prior to arrival and he was very responsive with emails back and forth a few times weekly.  He gave us great recommendations on locations to visit and even adjusted to our specific desires (2 wineries, 1 brewery, and a food cart).  He was quite affordable and even gave us a small tour of Ensenada prior to making our way to the wine region.  His vehicle was very clean and offered us beer, water, and snacks during our ride. The highlight of the trip was ending at a VERY local seafood cart.  We even had him order for us since we only speak English.  Jorge is truly a hidden gem in the area. His email is [email protected].

[Suzanne Elise]

I loved Catalina. I was not there on a cruise. I remember taking a bus tour that stops at the airport where the cookies are famous. We also rented a golf cart and there is a very funny picture that i have with a "student driver' golf cart for drivers ed. The place is just charming and special and just golf carting around the island is a pleasure.