Gray Whale Watching (Jan. - March)
Daily boating trips to see the passing whales on their way to and from central Baja California and their calving lagoons. The season usually runs through March.

Carnaval (Feb.)
Carnival is the Latin American equivalent of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Parades, carnival rides and games, dances, music, food and drink make this event one not to be missed. Look for the main streets in the tourist areas to be closed to vehicles. Held the 5 days before Ash Wednesday.

Rosarito - Ensenada Bicycle Ride (April)
A 50-mile ride down the Baja coast plus a large fiesta in Ensenada at the finish until dark. The ride starts at 10 a.m. in front of the Festival Plaza Hotel in Rosarito. For more information, call (858) 488-8777.

55th Annual Newport - Ensenada Race (April)
This 125-mile yacht race from Newport Beach, CA to Ensenada is one of the largest on the west coast. For more information, call (949) 644-1023 (U.S.).

Don Eddie's Memorial Day Fishing Tournament (May)
Held in San Quintin (2 hours south), Motel Don Eddie's Landing puts on three fishing tournaments a year. For more information, contact the hotel at Tel: (664) 621-1244.

Baja 500 (June)
This race begins in Ensenada with drivers from around the world competing against the harsh extremes of Baja. Score International & Tecate Breweries are the main sponsors.

Estero Beach Volleyball Tournament (June)
Usually held the last weekend in June, this tournament is celebrates the beach volleyball lifestyle. It's three days of competition and wild parties. The tourney is a blind draw and attracts over 2,000 participants both amateur and pro.

4th Annual Paella Fair (July)
This traditional Spanish cooking festival benefits the Cancer Assoc. Of Baja California. Admission is free and food tickets are $10. For more information, contact the hotel at Tel: (646) 176-1901 Ext. 169.

Mexicali en la Playa (July)
This annual beach festival located at "Catalina" Beach near the cruise terminal features volleyball, motocross races, beach soccer, jet ski challenge, bands, food and of course a bikini contest.

12th Annual Fiesta de la Vendimia (August)
This "Wine Harvest Festival" offers 10 days of wine tasting, music and gourmet cooking.

Los Gordo's 8th Annual "Anything Goes" Chili Cook-Off (August)
This friendly neighborhood contest in Gordo's parking lot welcomes everyone to try some fantastic chili and well as a salsa contest. Entrants should arrive by 10am to start setting up. Cooking starts at noon - judging at 3pm.

17th Annual Corona Open (August)
This weekend beach volleyball tournament features 3 Live Bands, volleyball, good surf, food, and drink. Located just 18 minutes south of Rosarito in La Salina.

Mexican Independence Day (September 15-16)
A celebration of Mexico's War of Independence against Spain in the early 1800's which began with Father Miguel Hidalgo's cry of the Grito de Dolores.

26th Annual International Chili Cookoff (September)
Also presenting the "10th Annual Salsa Contest". From noon to 6pm, enjoy an afternoon of chili and salsa contests, regional foods, arts & crafts exhibitions and live entertainment at the oldest chili cookoff in all of Mexico held at Quintas Papagayo Resort. General admission ($10 dlls.) includes raffles, chili and salsa tasting, and 5 coupons good for beverages or regional food samples. Proceeds benefit the Ensenada Drug & Alcohol Abuse Rehabilitation Center. For more information, contact Pancho McNiff at Tel. (626) 795-7818.

Rosarito - Ensenada Bicycle Ride (Sep.)
A 50-mile ride down the Baja coast plus a large fiesta in Ensenada at the finish until dark. The ride starts at 10 a.m. in front of the Festival Plaza Hotel in Rosarito.

Annual Fiesta del Tequila (October)
Spend a day in Ensenada discovering the culture and libations of Mexico. Activities include a Tamales Brunch with shopping, Day of the Dead art exhibit and mariachi concert at Centro Artesanal; a lecture on pulque (the fermented juice of the maguey plant) with a sampling of several pulques, nine Sauza tequilas and appetizers at the Riviera Convention Center; and gourmet dinner prepared with the delicate flavors of tequila at Restaurant La Tertulia.

Baja 1000
This is the grandaddy of off-road racing! The race begins in Ensenada, travels over 1,000 miles throughout Baja, and will end in La Paz. Score International & Tecate Breweries are the main sponsors.