Lonely Planet San Diego & Tijuana

Despite its age, I have yet to find a better guide in print or online. It is a great resource for planning a trip to Tijuana. It exposes a number of hidden gems that are difficult for the casual, non-Spanish speaking visitor to discover. Most people and guides focus on the Ave Revolution tourist trap aspect of Tijuana and miss a unique and vibrant city, unlike any other in Mexico. Tijuana is also an excellent gateway to the rest of Mexico. You can get comfortable communicating in Spanish with its largely bilingual residents before catching an inexpensive flight or bus to destinations on the Pacific coast or Central Mexico. I've field-tested a number of hotel, restaurant and activity recommendations and found them all excellent. Some entries are a surprise even to old TJ hands. Yes, Lonely Planet guides do have the gap-year, backpacker / budget traveler outlook (true to their roots), but it works. I'd very much like to see an update to this book that has the same quality.

Despite the book's age, it's still very useful -- San Diego doesn't seem to change that fast! The Tijuana section in particular is quite good. Like every Lonely Planet guide, though, it could have used a bit more editing to rein in the author's particular oddball biases.

The book was very good except that is does miss out some Hostel's I stayed out that were just outstanding! One special one was only two blocks "Pacific Beach" in San Diego, corner of Cass and Garnet Streets called the "International House on the Second Floor". They especially cater for international tourist's and students, and are some of the best people I have ever met, it's also the cleanest Hostel around!. San Diego and Tijuana are very interesting and different but are both just beautiful. The book itself was quite detailed and everything was where it was suppose to be. One of the best in the Lonely Planet series!