For about 8 blocks, Revolucion is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, many aimed at tourists. This is what most day-trippers to Tijuana experience, and it should go without saying that Revolucion is not representative of Tijuana and certainly not of Mexico.
Constitucion Avenue, one block west of Revolucion, is a busy downtown street but with none of the touristy nonsense. It is probably worth walking along here just to get a more authentic picture of Tijuana. Visitors should be careful in walking too far north on this street, as it will abruptly lead you into the red light district.
There are some good shops along Revolucion but mostly they are little more than cheesy souvenir shops.
The exception to the above paragraph is shopping at El Dorado at Revolution & 7th across from the Mexicoach building.
~ El Dorado offers Blankets, Leather Jackets, Sling shots, Fire Opals, T-shirts (TJ humor), Watches, Changes Purses, Leather Key Chains, Sunglasses, Fire Agates, Chess Sets, Piggy Banks (clay), Leather Wallets, Turquoise, Clay Pots, Ponchos (sarapes), Watch Bands, 14 Kt Gold & 18 Kt Gold Clay Statues, Mexican Pullovers, Watch Batteries, 925 Silver (Plata) & 958 Silver(Plata) and more.
~ The El Dorado website also offers several maps of Tijuana and detailed directions to get to El Dorado by taxi, bus & car as well as walking. First time visitors will receive a huarache key chain and/or a complimentary shot of tequila with Romulo.
Restaurants vary in quality. Tourist traps are usually easy to spot. These will be overpriced, but may serve good food.
* La Costa
* Caesar’s Restaurant
* Chiki Jai
* La Cafe Especial
* El Torito
The bars on Revolucion are often packed with Americans. The drinking age in Tijuana is 18, compared to 21 in the US, so many young people visit Tijuana to party. Revolucion is also lined with strips bars, and it is not always obvious from the outside if it is a regular bar or a strip bar, so enter with caution.
* Las Pulgas, (between 7th and 8th street on Revolucion). One of the few Zona Centro dance bars that caters mainly to locals.