Okay, I have things I need to do today, so maybe I'll make this short and come back later.

I have been to Rosarito, Tijuana, Ensenada, Puerto Nuevo, 100s of times.

I love Baja California.
I love Puerta Vallarta.
I was in TJ by myself to simultaneously seek out a faith healer in a side street (oh yeah, I tried everything) and to look for Oxycontin. So I was staying very sober. I was taken to a part of Tijuana that was scheduled for demolition. No one lived there; I would never have been found. At least I could have provided food for some of the animals I suppose. It took two maybe three days, I can't remember. The details of what happened? Let's just say I am no longer scared of going to prison. You follow?
My one dreadful experience in TJ did not keep me out of the country. The way I look at it this whole world is everyone's turf and I'll go where I feel like it. Now if I feel like I'll get shot, dismembered, or come down with dengue fever, I will probably NOT feel like going there.

TJ just used to be different. You don't know me, but you can take my word for it. They are sick of being seen as the reason our teenagers and horny married men seek out sin and liquor. They are sick of their good women being harassed. They are sick of us needing drugs we can't get back home, and working them down on the price while they break a law.

Mexico is a beautiful place. Someday, hopefully without a bloody revolution, this will all be one continent from Canada down to South America, and we will all look at each other as equal partners in free enterprise, capitalism, and ethical business practices. This day is coming.

Until then.
Don't go to TJ anymore to get blasted and buy Valium.
I see so many of my former friends still make pilgrimages to do this, and then scream at the customs guy when they are picked out for weaving. Actually I did not see that, so you see I am taking my own advice. I just have heard about it like it was the greatest injustice ever. PLEASE!!!

But just to go down with a bunch of friends and a money belt:
The Dance Clubs are great!!!! Pick a driver who doesn't drink. If one more California Highway Patrolman with a family loses his life because "we jush wanned a lil fun", I fear the offender will be shot on the spot.
TJ is also one of the most glamourous knockoff shopping towns around, with Italian cosmetics, couture, Oaxacan objets d'art, and beautiful handmade Mexican leather and textiles.