Much has been written about safety issues in Mexico, and Tijuana is one of the cities that gets the most attention of all. Let's face it, Tijuana's growth in the early days was largely due to gringos crossing the border for tacos, booze, and whores.

"Hey senor... wanna fuck my sister? She's a virgin!"

When alcohol was banned in the USA during prohibition, it was considered trendy to head down to Mexico and get liquored up. Quickie divorces, gambling, racetracks... it was all here if you wanted it. Where else could you hope to see a donkey fucking someone? (I wonder if Xtasis has considered resurrecting that act?) Any volunteers?

There were no ID's required, so all you had to do was answer if you were a US Citizen, and say "yes" without an accent if you wanted to go north.

Ah... the good old days.

Except in the "good old days" men looking for male companionship had to go down several dark alleys and just "follow your nose" to find a local or errant sailor from San Diego on the loose. Now, the gay bars and clubs advertise in many publications on both sides of the borders and we no longer have to hide. It may have taken longer for the effects of Stonewall to get to Baja, but it did arrive.

To accommodate those less brave among us who prefer to park their car in the USA and walk across the border, first there was Bar El Ranchero. (Individual bar listings follow.) It has gone through several reincarnations and owners, but remains a "must experience" for the gay traveller in Baja. Several other bars have opened up along Plaza Santa Cecilia where Ranchero is located, near the big stainless steel arch, but Ranchero is still king.

Most of the gay bars have opened along a line from the border to Ranchero because so many guys still walk across.

Closest to the border is Extasis. This place occupies a huge space facing a pedestrian crossing exit from the USA, and on the back side of Plaza America which faces the other pedestrian exit. While Ranchero is a bar that at times tries to resemble a nightclub, Extasis has always been a club. The owners took over space next door and opened Cagamamas which took on a less Disco-like atmosphere, and it had a showroom with a pretty good transvesti show. Now, they have merged both operations into one and aptly renamed the place "Fusion" even though most of the locals still call it Extasis.

If you are walking across the border, you can literally bump into Extasis... Fusion... whatever, just as you cross from the USA. Or you can keep walking across the river toward down town and the Arch. Before you get to Plaza Santa Cecilia you will walk by Boby's and Blue Zky.

So if somehow you manage to hit all the bars just along this walkable route, you could visit the top 5 gay bars in Tijuana. My guess is that if you hit all five you will be taking a taxi back to the border because you may be too drunk to walk!

The BajaGay group has had several "Bar Crawls" and never made it to all five bars. We were either too drunk or having too much of a good time to continue on the hike.

To our knowledge, none of the gay bars have directly experienced any of the drug cartel inspired violence that plagues all in Mexico, particularly those involved in the tourist and hospitality business. But the news coverage associated with the violence has killed the urge to visit Baja for some Latin lovin.

Even if you do decide to walk, you must keep your wits about you. In some ways, you are more exposed on foot than if you were in a vehicle. This is why it is not only suggested, consider it mandatory that you travel in small groups of at least 3 - 4, and don't wear your high heals. It is always good to appoint one of your troupe to be the designated leader and pay attention to where he is leading you and be aware of the surroundings.

While you must be careful at all times, the simple fact to the best of our knowledge is, there has been no drug cartel killings or violence committed against any innocent tourist or ex-pat residents. We don't expect you to remain "innocent" but we do recommend that you stay away from drugs of any kind or those who sell and use them. You will make yourself the target of so many here if there is the hint of any involvement. So far the bad guys are killing each other and a few corrupt cops off, and we'd like to see it stay that way.

More later....