Mexicali, "the beautiful city that captured the sun", as it is called by the locals, has many and varied entertainment and cultural options. Despite not being as popular as Tijuana, Mexicali does have a huge bullring, a professional golf course, museums, festivals, and even public swimming pools.
There are many places near Mexicali worth visiting for their natural beauty and historic value, such as the canyons of the Sierra Juarez, the town of La Rumorosa or the Mexicali Valley, a particular attraction for hunting enthusiasts. Here, you can find species such as pheasant, duck, as well as desert and mountain quail. Whoever visits these places leaves with pleasant memories.
Mexicali also features music fests like Baja Prog, a series of alternative rock concerts held over 4 days, or Festival del Sol (Sun Fest) held in May. In Mexicali bullfights are not the only shows, there is also professional wrestling, car shows and concerts. Mexicali also has several theaters, so don't forget to see what's being shown when you arrive.
Sol del Nino (Kids' sun) Museum
This is a fun place to learn, created in 1998 in a building that used to be a cotton warehouse. Nowadays, this unique museum has many interactive scientific and ecological exhibitions for kids to learn and socialize with other children, too. Sol del Nino also has spacious outdoor areas where some of the scheduled activities take place. Your kids can learn while they play!
Calafia Bullring
During its more than 100 years of history Mexicali has had five bullrings, but there is no doubt that the most
beautiful is Calafia. This bullring was inaugurated on November 16th, 1975, by the famous matadors Manolo Martinez, Eloy Cavazos and Mariano Ramos. Calafia also hosts other events, such as concerts, political meetings, festivals and Mexican wrestling matches.
Bol Bol Bowling
Bol Bol bowling introduces a modern concept in family entertainment. At Bol Bol, up to 6 players can have fun at the same time on the same lane. It features touch screens, special software to keep track of each bowler's score and additionally recommends how to make the next move. They also serve snacks and drinks.
Theaters
There are more than seven theaters in the city, including outdoor facilities and those within the universities and colleges. Experimental stage plays, professional performances, orchestral concerts, local rock bands and lots more events are presented all year round. You can check out the program of events in local magazines and newspapers.
La Chinesca
Many inhabitants of Mexicali are of Asian descent. A lot of Chinese immigrants came here during Mexicali's cotton boom. All of them have contributed immensely to the spice of the city's life through their customs, cuisine, festivals and even architecture. Most of the people with Chinese ancestors still live in a neighborhood called La Chinesca, where most of their family businesses are.
Town of La Rumorosa
A great option is to drive up the mountain to the town of La Rumorosa, a beautiful place to relax in, which offers recreational parks with camping areas and friendly locals, who are always ready to help. The view is spectacular from the peak of the Sierra. This zone is also a favorite among mountain bikers, where you can also find Vallecitos, a site of archeological interest for its well-known ancient rock painting known as "El Diablito" (Little Devil), which is lit by a ray of sunlight every winter solstice.
San Felipe
To the south of Mexicali, on the shores of the Gulf of California, is San Felipe. It's the nearest beach to the city and is a well-known fishing port for such species as clam and shrimp. It also offers delicious regional cuisine and great attention to detail when it comes to taking care of visitors. The beaches in San Felipe are large and the waters calm and of a unique beauty. It's a great place for water sports and offers an 18-hole golf course. In the south of San Felipe, there is the authentic natural beauty of Valle de los Gigantes, an impressive area populated by a forest of thousands of giant cactus.