> WHEN YOU GO

Do this trip: Turista Libre (turistalibre.com) has an array of public treks you can join in Tijuana for $30 to $65 (U.S.), as well as private tours that start at $100 per person for groups of two to 10, depending on the itinerary. Get there: I flew Air Canada direct from Toronto to San Diego. Get around: Use a mix of walking, public transit, Uber and taxis. Stay: In San Diego, I stayed at Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, hotelinsd.com, a petfriendly, LEED-certified hotel with a great rooftop bar. In La Jolla, I stayed at the Pantai Inn (pantaiinn.com), a Balinese-inspired seaside inn with beautiful gardens and an outdoor firepit. Do your research: Sandiego.org