Playas de Rosarito, Baja California
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| Playas de Rosarito | |
| — City — | |
| Motto: Horizonte de Posibilidades (English: A Horizon of Possibilities) |
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  Playas de Rosarito
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Mexico |
| State |  Baja California |
| Municipality | Playas de Rosarito |
| Municipality established | June 29, 1995 |
| Elevation | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 56,887 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC−8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC−7) |
| Area code(s) | 661 |
| Sources: (Spanish) INEGI, Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México | |
| Website: http://www.rosarito.gob.mx | |
Playas de Rosarito is a city in the Mexican state of Baja California and seat of the municipality of the same name. It is located approximately 35 minutes south of the U.S. border in Tijuana. It is a popular destination for college students and young people in general from the United States for Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. It boasts miles of beaches, hotels, and dance clubs. Nearby at Popotla are the Fox Studios where many scenes from the movie Titanic were filmed. Some of the sets from the movie are now part of a museum located there.
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[edit] History
[edit] Native Tribes
In centuries past, the Baja California Peninsula was inhabited by tribes of natives, notably the Pai Pai, Cochimi, Kiliwa, Cucupa and Kumiai. The Kumiai settled in the Rosarito Beach area, naming it Uacatucay, (which translates to "the big house") and traces of their everyday life such as arrowheads, stone kitchen utensils, mortar, have been discovered. These artifacts provide a rich source of information regarding their lifestyles and the first stage in Rosarito's evolution. Today, the modern day Kumiai are reduced to a population of ninety three, in the area of San José de la Zorra just 30 kilometers east of La Misión Village.
[edit] Missions
The second stage in Rosarito's evolution, referred to as the "Missional", began with the arrival of the Spaniards in 1533, who began the establishment of missions throughout the peninsula and the evangelization of the native Kumiais.
In 1767 the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico in a political-religious decision. The Franciscans were asked to take over the administration of the missions. In 1772, a concordat (agreement) was signed between the King of Spain – with the support of the Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) and the Pope – and the leaders of the Dominican and Franciscan monks resulting in the division of California in 1773, using the local mountain range that meet the sea at Calafia. The Palou Frontier was establish as the dividing line between Nueva (new) or Alta (upper) California and Antigua (old) or Baja (lower) California.
The Franciscans took control of Alta California and everything north of the Palou Frontier (including the state of California, USA) was their domain. Alternately the Dominicans controlled everything south of the frontier in Baja California. Fifteen years later, in 1788, the De Sales Frontier was establish and the boundary between the two Californias was relocated to the site of the Rosarito Creek.
[edit] Ranching
The third stage in Rosarito's history began with the establishment of the big ranches. The property of El Rosarito Ranch, granted to Don José Manuel Machado on 1825, stands out as the first in the area. Subsequently his son, Don Joaquín Machado, applied for title to the land to President Porfirio Díaz. On May 14, 1885, Machado received his title and registered it in Ensenada, then the capital city of the state of Baja California. May 14 is now recognized and celebrated as Rosarito's Foundation Day by the Historical Society of Rosarito.
[edit] Tourism
The fourth stage of Rosarito's history was centered around tourism. It began with the Barbachano family's establishment of the Rosarito Beach Hotel and Rene's bar in 1925. The family, who have been prominent in politics and culture in Mexico since the early 19th century, also built the first highway, allowing tourists from San Diego to visit the area.
While Prohibition was the law of the land, many North Americans who found it difficult to give up alcohol began to cross the border into Mexico, where drinking was still legal. Tijuana seemed to attract a more "speakeasy" type clientel, and Rosarito became a haven for the more well-heeled and Hollywood set. Rosarito was visited by Hollywood film stars such as Orson Welles and Dolores del Rio who were attracted by hunting (deer, quail and rabbit) and fishing (lobster, abalone). While Rita Hayworth, (a Tijuana native) was married to Prince Aly Khan, son of Aga Khan, the two would visit the Rosarito Beach Hotel, take over an entire floor, and bring their own staff, including a personal chef. Other Hollywood visitors included Mickey Rooney, Ava Gardner, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. In early 2008, Britney Spears made a one day trip to Rosarito in an attempt to avoid the paparazzi; she failed.
A Barbachano descendant, Hugo Torres Chabert led the drive to incorporate the city in 1995, and was appointed to a three year term as Mayor. In 2007, Torres Chabert ran for election and was overwhelmingly elected to a new three year term. The subject of rising crime rates and police corruption were major issues in the campaign. Torres Chabert, as owner of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, was deeply concerned about the safety of tourists, and pledged strong action to deal with both issues. In early 2008, both federal and state police were ordered into the city (along with neighboring Tijuana) to reinforce the city's efforts.
Now days, Rosarito offers more than 900 hotel rooms from 25 resorts, hotels & motels (Las Rocas Resort & Spa, Corona Hotel, and more); marvelous golf courses and luxurious spas. Around 2005 a real estate boom began in Rosarito and what is often called "the Baja Gold Coast." Within a few years, scarcely a piece of oceanfront property large enough for a condominium resort was left unsold to developers. Even Donald Trump associated his name with a project north of Rosarito Beach just over the Tijuana city limits.
The market was driven by equity-rich North American Baby Boomers who were looking for a second home. When the real estate market slumped in 2007, it's impact was felt in Baja, but most developers are biding their time until the market returns.
In the last week of June, there is a big vollebyall tournament at the nearby Estero Beach.
The well-known lobster village, Puerto Nuevo sprang up fifteen minutes south of Rosarito, originally as a fishermen's neighborhood who would offer the daily catch in their living room, and now is a tourist/culinary destination. Lobster, rice and beans, washed down with Margaritas is the "comida del dia." Lobster "Puerto Nuevo Style" can be advertised anywhere in Baja, where the recipe is lobster, doused with butter and grilled, although if a customer insists it will be prepared in the traditional method.
[edit] Farming
The Ejido and fifth stage in Rosarito's history began with the inception of Ejidos, common land for farming, when, on August 17, 1930, General Lázaro Cárdenas, then President of Mexico, issued a resolution granting 46.71 square kilometres (over 10,000 acres) of land to a community of local farmers known as Ejido Mazatlán.
[edit] Urbanization
Urbanization in 1950 marked the sixth stage in Rosarito's development with the planning and construction of streets and city blocks. As land sales soared, coupled with the construction of small restaurants, some shops and two hotels, the city began to take shape.
In the 1960s, Rosarito entered the commercial/industrial era with the constructions of a huge thermoelectric power plant and the later installations of Pemex, the state-owned petroleum company.
[edit] Construction
This seventh stage in Rosarito's evolution was marked with further construction and the development of shopping centers and more restaurants and shops were established along the main street. This street has been renovated and enlarge to encompass four lanes and a lighted meridian strip and was officially designated Boulevard Benito Juárez in the year 1989.
During the 1970s and early 1980s, Rosarito's growth was moderate but constant. The mid-1980s, however, was marked with the strong development of tourist related businesses of obviously considerable investment.
In the early 1990s appreciable economic growth was achieved by the construction and competition of numerous hotels, condominiums and shopping centers.
The impact of cityhood on modern Rosarito Beach cannot be understated. Prior to incorporation, all tax revenue was filtered through the coffers of Tijuana, who treated Rosarito like a "poor stepchild." Post incorporation has marked major improvements in infrastructure. Due to growth, some streets are indeed still unpaved, however the vast majority of streets have been improved with pavement, curbs and street lights. The major downtown corridor, Boulevard Benito Juarez, is on a steady rejuvination plan, where all new period street lights, wide sidewalks, curbs and gutters are being constructed.
On the site of the city fairgrounds in North Rosarito, a new "Rosarito Pabellion" (Pavilion) began construction in late 2007. Said to become the largest shopping center in Baja Norte, it will include major anchors, (Home Depot, Wal-Mart) multi-plex theaters, and chain restaurants such as Applebee's and VIPs.
South of the commercial center along Boulevard Benito Juarez, a new, widened four lane Boulevard Popotla is rapidly developing a reputation as a target area for hand-crafted "rustico" furniture, metal sculpture, and boutique art studios and galleries. It is in this area that thae former Fox Studios was located, and Foxploration, a Universal Studios type attraction still remains.
[edit] Incorporation
On December 1, 1995, Rosarito was converted from a suburb of Tijuana, to an independent city. Hugo Torres Chabert, current owner of the Rosarito Beach Hotel led the incorporation drive and was subsequently appointed to a three year term as Mayor. The territory surrounding the city became the fifth municipio (municipality) of the State of Baja California, this being the eighth stage of the history of Rosarito.
[edit] External links
- (Spanish) H. IV Ayuntamiento de Playas de Rosarito, official government web site.
- (English)/(Spanish) Rosarito Beach Convention & Visitor's Bureau, web site.
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Baja California Mexicali, capital |
|---|---|
| Municipalities |
Ensenada | Mexicali | Tecate | Tijuana | Playas de Rosarito |
| Cities |
Ensenada | Mexicali | Playas de Rosarito | Tecate | Tijuana |
