Baja Bound (Part 19)

This entry is part 19 of 23 in the series Baja Bound

April 23, 2023

By Simon J. Lau

I was a bit anxious about traffic since I’m still a relatively new motorcyclist, especially heading into Ensenada where there’s much more traffic than in the quieter, more desolate parts of Baja I’ve been riding through. So I hit the road just after sunrise at 6 a.m. The ride in turned out to be surprisingly easy and beautiful, with rolling hills and patches of light fog creating a dramatic backdrop the whole way.

At first, I thought this was my first time here, but my mom reminded me that I’ve actually been here twice before. 😅 Both visits were when I was very young. Once we arrived by cruise ship, when I remember little more than the crowds spilling off the docks, and another time we came down by bus from San Diego, a quick day trip that barely scratched the surface of the city. So in many ways, this visit feels like my first real introduction to Ensenada, seeing it on my own terms.

For lunch, I had some incredible oysters. 🦪 It’s in the style I’ve come to really love on this trip, roasted and topped with cheese and other seasonings that give them a smoky, savory flavor. I liked this place so much that I’m already thinking about coming back. So far on this trip, I haven’t eaten at the same restaurant twice, but this one might be worth breaking that rule.

I also met Bruno, the Ensenada dog. He not only shares the same name as one of my dogs, but he’s also a similar breed! The owner of this restaurant found him wandering nearby and, being a dog lover, looked for the original owner online. Since he found the dog in Ensenada, he assumed it must belong to someone local.

But when the dog only responded to English commands, he began to suspect that maybe an American tourist had lost him. After getting no response from the online posts, this restauranteur eventually gave up and adopted the dog himself. Good find! Now Bruno has a permanent home here, and according to his new owner, he’s turned out to be a fantastic guard dog.

If only the same could be said of my Bruno!

This is where Wilbur will sleep tonight. I was a good neighbor and took the worst spot in the parking lot. This space is too small for a car of any kind, but it’s large enough for a motorcycle. Stay safe, Wilbur!

Finally, my route from San Quintín to Ensenada (183 km or 114 miles).