Explore Tijuana’s rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural scene with Art Scene Baja
Now is the time to explore the Mexican border area around Tijuana is in the midst of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 — and one tour group makes it easy to take it all in.
As part of the World Design Capital 2024 celebration, Art Scene Baja has been selected to be part of the Community Initiative Program, offering a unique opportunity to highlight what our region offers in art and culture as part of the design we share as border cities. Art Scene Baja organizes regular day-trips to areas around the border — all with a focus on art, architecture and history (with a little food thrown in for good measure).
Your next opportunity is on Thursday, March 14 starting 10 a.m. Tours are $185 per person and include transportation from the Tijuana side of the border and lunch.
Art Scene Baja
This cultural tour is special because your hosts, Ligia Santillan and Dr. Berenice Martinez, are both from Tijuana and have been involved in the art scene for more than 25 years.
The tours are in small groups of 8 -12 people for a personalized experience. You’ll visit galleries, theaters and art showrooms, and meet the artist, directors and gallery owners. Experience Tijuana and celebrate why Tijuana and San Diego were named World Design Capital 2024!
Women’s History Month Tour
In Celebration of Women’s History Month, The March 14 tour will focus on women artist and art leaders. You’ll visit galleries, art studios and meet artists. Plus you’ll get an opportunity to create your own art.
The first stop on the tour is a visit to Teatro Camafeo, a popular non profit Tijuana theatre. Two of CAMAFEO’s founders, Margarita Martínez de Camarena and Elsa Pérez Méndez we’ll lead you on a behind the scene tour and introduce a special guest artist.
Next, you’ll spend time with visual artist Ángela González and get hands on experience with collage art. Ángela has been exhibited in various galleries as well as museums in Mexico, the United States, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Turkey and Argentina.
Food lovers, get ready for a unique experience! This specially curated tour to Tijuana includes La Carmelita Molino y Cocina, where you’ll savor a gourmet lunch like no other. Chef José Figueroa’s passion for home cooking and showcasing the best of Baja California cuisine is evident in his focus on regional products and native Mexican corn. Don’t miss out on this must-visit restaurant!
Following lunch, explore the world of Eclectique mode with Olga Cecilia Sanchez, a clothing designer, stylist, and professional flamenco dancer. We will delve into her unique vision and creative process. The San Diego Tribune has called her “the face of the new Tijuana cultural scene,” making this a rare opportunity to learn from a true innovator in the industry.
Finally, you’ll meet fiber artist Olinia Arreguin at VICU. You’ll go inside a slow production interior design house where they work with wool for more than a decade to create elaborate one of a kind pieces. Plus you get a chance to create your own piece of art.
The Process
Art Scene Baja is committed in making your visit to Tijuana as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, creating synergy between both cities and beyond.
You’ll be picked up and dropped off just across the San Ysidro-Tijuana border near the (east pedestrian
entrance). You may also choose to drive across the border, park at the CECUT – Centro Cultural Tijuana, and meet the tour group in front of the fountain at CECUT at 9:30 a.m. After the final stop in the tour, you’ll be dropped back off at the pedestrian crossway at 5 p.m.
You will be welcomed at each site with the presence of directors, owners, or collaborators who will
explain a brief history of the site, interesting facts and surprises along the journey.
The Cost for the VIP Cultural Tour
Tours are $185 per person and include transportation to and from the Tijuana side of the border and lunch. When you pay at the www.artbaja.com site you will receive a ticket (via email) as a receipt with the information of your tour, don’t need to print it just bring a digital proof (part of being paperless). You can find the full schedule and tickets here.
A Few Suggestions
-Bring comfortable shoes and a light jacket for your return at 5 p.m. (check weather for the day)
-Bring Refillable bottle water
-Personal or business (paper or digital) information cards (networking)
-Have some cash for small purchases (Pesos, Dollars, credit card, every option is ok.)
Important Information
For US citizens you will need a US passport. Here is a link where you can find more FAQ and answers about our tour as well as valuable information and photos of last visits.