By Randy Kalp

Beyond the notorious avenues of Tijuana and the eternal spring-break atmosphere of Rosarito, lies a stretch of coastline devoid of billboards, sprawling suburbs and rush hour traffic jams—imagine San Diego in the early 1900s. Baja California Norte’s long, sparse sections of undeveloped coastline are complemented by small, seaside villages, some no bigger than a cantina and a hotel, where a dollar stretches almost as far as the horizon.

Puerto Nuevo
If Rosarito is Tijuana’s younger, dumber sister, then Puerto Nuevo is its chill aunt. Founded in the late 1950s by a few fishing families, Puerto Nuevo is the place to go for fresh, cheap lobster. Just 50 minutes from downtown San Diego, Puerto Nuevo’s main draw is its abundance of fresh lobster served up in traditional Puerto Nuevo style—pan-fried with a side of rice, beans and tortillas. There are more than 30 restaurants in Puerto Nuevo, including the village’s first eatery, Puerto Nuevo 1.

La Fonda
For a village the size of a shopping center, La Fonda has a lot to offer San Diegans who want a relaxing getaway. Just 40 miles from the San Yisdro border crossing, La Fonda’s seaside restaurants and bars provide an ideal backdrop for mid-day margaritas. The small costal village is a perfect spot for budget-conscious travelers and families who enjoy fine dining and oceanfront rooms, but don’t want to have to take out a second mortgage to do it. Ocean view rooms can be had for under $100 a night, and if you want to go even cheaper, La Fonda also has a campground (no hook ups), which costs between $15 and $23.

La Salina Beach
The best way to find La Salina is to follow the white highway markers to kilometer 71; keep your eyes sharp, though, because it’s easy to pass right by this little slice of paradise. While developers have built up the nearby marina, the hallmark of La Salina Beach is still its lone cantina and hotel. Overlooking a huge sandy beach, the cantina offers good, but cheap, food and drinks as well as a deep jukebox and pool table. Above the cantina are a handful of rooms, ranging from $45-$65 (WiFi included). The rooms are spacious and each one has a balcony overlooking the beach.