Explore Valle de Guadalupe near San Diego

Set on the grounds of the Casa de Piedra winery, this chic outdoor eatery revolves around seafood, sourced entirely from Baja California. It’s just one of several acclaimed establishments operated by veteran chef Drew Deckman, who also owns the Valle-based Deckman’s En El Mogor at Mogor Badan winery; Deckman’s 31ThirtyOne, a restaurant in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego; and Deckman’s at the Draft at Petco Park. Winner of both a Michelin star and a Michelin green star, Conchas de Piedra pairs sparkling wines with pristine shellfish, from clam ceviche to crispy oyster tacos.

Breakfast is served all day at this bustling spot perpetually filled with a mix of locals and visitors. The place evolved from a humble home kitchen into a sprawling, lively restaurant exalted by Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay. There are no reservations so be prepared to wait, but diners are rewarded with hearty plates ranging from huevos a la mexicana and chilaquiles to elote pancakes and the slow-cooked lamb borrego with homemade tortillas — just some of the comforting specialties cooked up by chef/owner Blanca Esthela Martínez Bueno. A cup of cinnamon-spiced, piloncillo-sweetened cafe de olla is also a must.

Situated in the center of the valley, this boutique winery is housed in a unique structure fashioned from reclaimed fishing boats and other recycled materials. Open daily for tastings, the winery uses grapes from nearby vineyards and its own organically grown grapes to produce small-batch bottlings that include a natural Sauvignon Blanc and Mezcla Especial, a smooth red blend. Owner and winemaker Phil Gregory and wife Eileen also operate Troika, a food truck parked on the property that serves grilled oysters and fried quail, as well as La Villa del Valle, a six-room luxury inn surrounded by olive trees, fruit orchards, and a vegetable garden with such amenities as a yoga studio and spa services.

Deemed the best restaurant in all of Mexico in 2023 by The World’s 50 Best, this ambitious restaurant is the domain of chef David Castro Hussong, an Ensenada native and alum of Noma and Eleven Madison Park whose partner, Maribel Aldaco Silva, was named best pastry chef in Latin America the same year. In the soaring dining room where guests sit at long communal tables, the best experience is had through the Fauna Feast, a shareable succession of at least 15 dishes — from tuna fin sopes to braised lamb with chilies — that showcase local ingredients and the chefs’ culinary point of view.

For a break between eating and drinking, take a breather at this lovely lavender garden at Rondo del Valle winery, where flowers harvested from its 5,000 lavender plants are used to make bouquets, essential oils and skin care products that are available for purchase. Visitors can prebook a number of on-site experiences, from a tour of the lavender field that includes take-home treats and a lavender dessert to a more in-depth workshop in which participants can harvest the flowers and learn to make their own natural cosmetics. There’s also a package that includes a stay at a nearby bed-and-breakfast along with wine tasting and a picnic.

Stop into this gourmet store on your way in or out of town to pick up some edible souvenirs or put together a picnic to enjoy on one of the wineries’ patios. A wonderland of cheese is revealed inside, where an array of fresh cheeses are displayed next to wheels upon wheels of aged cheeses from producers based in the nearby Valle de Ojos Negros. Samples are gladly offered; don’t miss the cave-aged, cow’s milk Ramonetti cheeses, which can be found on many restaurant menus in the area. The store also stocks local olive oil, honey, snacks, and jams in such flavors as habanero-mango and strawberry with chipotle.

There’s no better place to take in a spectacular sunset than Ensenada’s Hotel Cuatro Cuatros. Getting there is a bit of an adventure, requiring a prepaid booking and a shuttle ride that takes you to the compound’s cliffside perch, where you can also partake in wine or mezcal tastings, zip-line rides, excursions on horseback, and restorative massage sessions. The expansive, open-air bar, high above Salsipuedes Bay, boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, which can be enjoyed while sipping a refreshing margarita and noshing on a plate of fish tacos or grilled octopus.