The San Diegan: Rustic Chic in Mexican Wine Country

It feels particularly cool to get up from the delicious meal at Finca Altozano (a little tipsy after some great Valle de Gaudalupe wine) and simply walk home to your own private Airstream trailer right on the property. The San Diegan, as it’s been christened, was the temporary home of the restaurant’s famous chef Javier Plascencia when he used to travel back and forth from his home in Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe to work on his many projects here (Finca Altozano, Animalon, caterings, etc). Post-pandemic, the Airstream was outfitted with a large wrap/around deck and outdoor kitchen and converted into one of the coziest vacation rentals in Valle.

The 31-foot Airstream and its outdoor spaces are bordered by miles of grape vines beyond which are the mountains that surround Valle de Guadalupe, one of Mexico’s hottest destinations for food and wine in the state of Baja California Norte, an easy 2-hour drive from San Diego. In the evenings you can sink into the jacuzzi that faces the vines and sip on a bubbly wine white from the region, enjoying a sky with so little light pollution that thousands of stars are visible above. The silence is broken only by the occasional dog bark in the distance, and despite being steps away from one of the valley’s most popular restaurants, you will feel like you in your own little world.

Clusters of couches and chairs, a firepit, a table for four, and an inviting hammock stretch out among the pots of cacti and woven rugs strew around the floor. A shower stall and bathroom were built into one side of the deck but are not open to the elements and so save you from the cool mornings and nights here in the Valley. An outdoor kitchen sits on the other side of the Airstream with a mini grill for cooking, and a mini fridge. Nothing feels like an afterthought and kitchen utensils and most of the accoutrements you need to prepare a great meal are on hand.

Inside the Airstream is a horseshoe shaped living room with mishmash of pillows and windows draped in a old-fashioned lacy curtains. There’s a small kitchenette-like area with a wine fridge and a coffeemaker facing a full set up of a record player and speaker, and lots of little touches like random art posters, old photos, a woven bag if you need it and a wide-brimmed hat looking like it was flung on a hook by its owner after a day in the sun. A guitar, a bongo, collections of books, and candles and decorative containers make the place feel lived in. Like you have been here for months even if it’s only a couple nights’ stay.

© The San DIegan

All the way in the back is a cozy bed and a smaller bathroom so you don’t have to go wandering outside in the middle of the night. Little bottles of room spray, a stick of palo santo, incense, and a variety of lotions and creams are part of the overall sensory experience that the owners want you to have while you are there. You are encouraged to create your own mellow ambiance using any or all of them.

The many rescue dogs on the property are likely to pay you visit in the evenings, strolling over on the hunt for a snack and staying to keep you company if you offer up a few belly rubs. Along with Finca Altozano, the property is home to a more casual spot, Lupe — a restaurant built around another Airstream, this time converted into a large kitchen — that serves ceviches, tostadas, and tacos as well a side selection of cocktails and wine.

In the morning you can do some sunrise yoga (mats are provided) and then make yourself a cup of coffee while you wait on “breakfast in bed” from Finca Altozano, a real treat, that includes chilaquiles rojos, two eggs, refried beans, orange juice, fruit, toast, and coffee.

The San Deigan sits about mid-way point in the valley making it about 40 minutes from Ensenada and between 10 and 20 to most of the area’s wineries and tasting rooms. It’s best to bring your own car as taxis and Ubers in the valley are expensive and can mean a long wait to go anywhere. The San Diegan has a couple of dirt bikes for rent if you want to explore some backroads in a lighter way. While you are likely to see none of the staff while you are there, they were easy to communicate with via text during my stay. The nightly rate varies between $175-250.

This is one of my absolute favorite places to stay in Valle de Guadalupe, not only because I love the convenience of being so close to such amazing food, but also because it’s rustic but still feels luxurious. For place that feels more like home than a hotel, I would choose The San Diegan every time.