Have you heard of Vista, CA? San Diego County, located in Southern California, is well-known for its sprawling coastline, ocean views, and diverse communities. San Diego County has a number of cities within it, including Vista, California.

Where is Vista, CA? What County is Vista CA in?

The quick answer is that Vista, California is located in San Diego County, specifically Northern San Diego County. It is in Southern California.

Buena Vista Park

The city of Vista has natural beauty, a thriving arts scene, and a rich history. Vista offers visitors and residents alike a unique and charming experience. 

Vista is situated in San Diego County, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of downtown San Diego.

Is Vista a town or City?

Vista is a city.

Vista, CA County

Where is Vista, CA exactly? Vista is bordered by the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, and San Marcos, providing a central position for exploring the northern part of the San Diego County region. If you're hungry near Carlsbad, check out Windmill Food Hall. The city is conveniently located near major highways and the Coaster commuter rail system, so it's accessible for both locals and tourists. Explore the Downtown area and Vista Village lined with boutiques, cafes, and other shops.  

Is Vista CA a Nice Place to Live?

Ultimately this is up to you, what you value, and what you consider "nice." Plenty of people do live here and plenty of them love it.

Vista Zip Codes

• 92081 
• 92083 
• 92084
• 92085

Weather

Like the rest of San Diego County, Vista has some pretty great weather and temperatures. Vista is a bit closer to the coast and the Pacific Ocean than if you go inland to places like Escondido. In Escondido and Temecula, you'll notice it can get much hotter. 

Parks and Gardens

Vista, California has plenty of nature views and parks to explore. Situated in the northern part of San Diego County, Vista has a prime location that offers both tranquility and easy access to nearby attractions. The city is home to an abundance of parks, open spaces, and outdoor activities. Vista is blessed with picturesque landscapes and a pleasant climate that attracts nature enthusiasts from far and wide. 

Some popular parks and gardens include:

• Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive - Alta Vista Botanical Gardens is located within Brengle Terrace Park.
• Buena Vista Park, 1601 Shadowridge Drive  - Great for hiking trails and diverse wildlife.
• Shadowridge Park, 2101 Lupine Hills Drive

Arts and Culture

Downtown Vista has a bunch of shops, eateries, and art in a concentrated area. There are theatres, art, murals, and sculptures. The Moonlight Amphitheatre (located in Brengle Terrace Park at the address: 1250 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista, California 92084) hosts quality productions under the stars, providing an unforgettable evening of entertainment. Check the Moonlight Amphitheatre website for the latest productions and shows. There's also AVO Playhouse.

Historical Significance and Museums

Steeped in history, Vista offers glimpses into the past through its historical landmarks and museums. The Rancho Buena Vista Adobe, a National Historic Landmark, is a must-visit site. Learn more about the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe. (Address: 640 Alta Vista Drive, Vista, California). This beautifully preserved adobe structure provides insight into the city's early Californian history and offers guided tours for visitors. 

The Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum showcases vintage machinery and artifacts, offering a unique perspective on the region's agricultural and industrial history. Visit the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum website for more details on exhibits.

Community Events and Festivals

Vista has a strong sense of community, which you can find in its lively calendar of events and festivals throughout the year. The annual Vista Strawberry Festival celebrates the city's agricultural roots and offers a fun-filled day of live entertainment, food, and activities for the whole family.

The Vista food scene offers a range of options! The Vista Farmer's Market has grown exponentially over the years and provides a buzzing spot for food, vendors, and live music. 

Check out the Vegan Food Popup which alternates between Vista and Encinitas. For beer lovers, you might want to grab a craft beer at one of the many Vista Breweries: Craft Beer in North County San Diego. Learn more here.

The Wave Waterpark used to be a must-visit with kids and during summer but the Wave Waterpark has since closed.

There is also the Vista Unified School District, Vista Fire Department, Vista Irrigation District,  Vista Rod Run, public schools, breathtaking views, and more.

Census Data About Vista

According to data from the United States Census Bureau, the Vista population lies around 97,766, as of July 1, 2022.

People and Diversity

• White alone, percent 65.4% 
• Hispanic or Latino 50.2%
• White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 7.3%
• Asian alone 4.9%
• Black or African American alone 3.1% 
• American Indian and Alaska Native alone 1.0% 
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 0.9% 
• Two or More Races 17.2% 

Income and Poverty Median 

Where is Vista? What County is Vista in? Vista in Northern San Diego County, is a destination worth exploring for its natural beauty, thriving arts scene, rich history, and vibrant community. Nearby cities include Escondido, Encinitas, Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Valley Center, Fallbrook, and Rancho Santa Fe. People often visit for shopping, business opportunities, work, schools, and family life. San Marcos has a downtown hub at North City San Marcos, CA with restaurants, Block C Apartments, parking, farmers market, and more. Learn more about it here.

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, an art lover, or a history buff, Vista offers something for everyone. So, the next time you plan a trip to San Diego County, be sure to venture north and experience the charm and allure of Vista. It's a place that will captivate your senses and leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Feel as though you've been transported to Denmark when you visit the city of Solvang, California. There are a handful of places in the United States that look like you've traveled across the globe and Solvang is certainly one of those places. It has its charm and quaintness that makes you feel like you're either in a romance film or about to be in one. Make the trip! Whether you venture to a couple wine tasting rooms or want to learn about Danish culture, there are plenty of things to do in Solvang, California.

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Solvang is a small Danish city in Santa Barbara County, California. It's nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley and often referred to as "The Danish Capital of America" or Little Denmark. Drive or stroll down Copenhagen Drive to get a feel of the Danish village. Solvang has bakeries, wineries, and just about anything you need to feel like you've teleported out of the United States for a few hours. 

When you visit Solvang, CA you might see notable Danish icons such as Little Mermaid Statue Fountain, five windmills, the big red clog, as well as the Round Tower.

Did you know that the word "solvang" in Danish translates to "sunny field" in English?

Food 

Food lovers will thoroughly enjoy tasting their way through Solvang, California. Find foods and Danish bakeries in abundance. It feels like you're getting a taste of Denmark with options like Danish pancakes and pastries.

There's a lot of food and Danish delights to munch on. Make sure to try Æbleskiver (Aebleskiver) which are round sphere-shaped pancake balls. The name literally translates into "apple slices." 

Cafe Dolce Belgian Café Big Bopper Drive-In if you're in the mood for a 50s-style drive-in with both indoor and patio seating. Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe, Cecco Ristorante for rustic Italian cuisine, Copenhagen Sausage Garden, Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, Pho 805 for Vietnamese food, and much more. Learn more about food, restaurants, and eateries on the Solvang website! 

Full List of Restaurants and Eateries in Solvang, CA

Cafe Dolce, Belgian Café, Big Bopper Drive-In, Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe, Bit O’ Denmark Restaurant, Brekkies, Cailloux, the Solvang Cheese Shop, Cecco Ristorante, Chomp Burgers, Fries and Shakes, Copenhagen Sausage Garden, Danish Mill Bakery, Domino’s Pizza, First & Oak Restaurant at the Mirabelle Inn, Fitzpatrick’s Tavern, Good Seed Coffee Boutique, Mad and Vin at the Landsby, Mortensen’s Bakery, Old Danish Food Farm/Fudge Kitchen, Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, Osteria Grappolo, Panino for sandwiches, Paula’s Pancake House, peasants FEAST, Pho 805, Ramen Kotori, Red Viking Restaurant, Silk Roads Kitchen - Mediterranean Flavors, The Solvang Bakery, Solvang Brewing Company, Solvang Restaurant, Subway, Succulent Cafe, The Coffee House by Chomp, Toscana Pizzeria, Tower Pizza, Viking Garden Restaurant, California Tacos, Leonardo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, New Frontier’s Natural Foods & Deli, River Grill Restaurant & Bar, Taco Roco, A J Spurs, Ballard Inn Restaurant, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Hitching Post II, Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe.

Wine Tasting

Downtown Solvang, California hosts around 20 wine tasting rooms for you to choose from. Santa Ynez Valley offers delicious wines, wine tastings, wine bars, as well as craft beer from Solvang, Buellton, Ballard, Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. There are more than 120 wineries in the vicinity. Check the events for wine tasting events in the Santa Ynez wine country. You can do a wine tasting tour by walking to a couple places! 

The Oscar-winning film "Sideways," starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, and Sandra Oh, was filmed almost entirely on-location throughout Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. Get a sample of the local Santa Ynez Valley wineries while you're in the area and head to a wine tasting room.

Solvang CA California Danish Village Novelty Souvenir T-Shirt. Shop it on Amazon.

Boutique Shopping

Exit through the gift shop! Whether you're on the hunt for a good antique at A Piece of the Past Antique and Vintage Mall or want to check out t-shirts at Copenhagen T’s & Gifts, there are plenty of shops and boutiques in Solvang Village. 

Solvang has a bustling range of businesses ready for you to patronize. Shops include Book Loft, Edelweiss (collectible dolls, jewelry, and other gifts), Mole Hole, Old Danish Food Farm/Fudge Kitchen, Pavlov Art Gallery, Solvang Shoe Store, Inc. and much more. You can find a gift for everyone. Learn more on the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau website.

Museums

As you explore Solvang, CA take some time to dive into a museum or two. Whether you're into rare and vintage motorcycles or want to visit exhibits to understand more about the Danish-American spirit, you'll want to check out these museums and historical spots. You'll find that the Solvang attractions keep you interested with every turn. 

Museums and things to see in Solvang:

• Bethania Lutheran Church
• Elverhoj Museum of History & Art (Elverhøj Museum of History Art)
• Hans Christian Andersen Museum
• Old Mission Santa Ines
• Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
• Wildling Museum of Art and Nature
• Mendenhall Museum
• Solvang Amber Museum - The Copenhagen House (Temporarily closed)
• Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society Museum & Parks Janeway Carriage House

Events

Depending on when you visit, there might be some fun events and things to do in Solvang, CA. There are events like Solvang Julefest, Solvang Grape Stomp, and Solvang Danish Days depending on the time of year you visit. 

Dowdle Jigsaw Puzzle - Solvang Danish Village - 1000 Piece. Find it on Amazon.

Solvang Festival Theater

Support local arts at the Solvang Festival Theater, where you can see all kinds of shows, plays, musicals, and more. From June to September, Solvang Festival Theater is home to the professional theater company, PCPA. The rest of the year, it's a venue for a range of events and concerts such as the haunted house in October and the Julefest Nativity Pageant in December. 

Outdoor Activities

As you traipse your way through Solvang, CA, soak in the wonderful California temperature with some outdoor activities. 

Hans Christian Andersen Park

Drive through the castle arch as you enter Hans Christian Andersen Park. It feels a bit majestic filled with oak trees. Find a rock climbing wall, a little skate park, slides, a playground, and more.

When you come to Solvang, California, the immediate thought is that it's a cute little Danish town, and that it is. But it also has so much history and intrigue to discover, whether it's at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, Solvang Festival Theater, or as you sip your way through delicious wine or pastries.

Stop by for a Danish from one of the local bakeries and walk about the town. You'll feel like you took a journey into Europe. Learn about Danish art and history at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, or as you visit Old Mission Santa Ines. There are so many things to do in Solvang to stay full and entertained as you take in the Danish architecture. What's your favorite thing to do in Solvang?

Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad, California is tucked in beautiful North County San Diego. This is the quintessential place to hang out if you're with a group of friends or family members and y'all can't decide where to eat. Each person can find amazing food options, craft beer selections, creative craft cocktails, and more to suit their taste under one roof. 

There are pastries, pizza, meat, BBQ, and other options. Food halls are all the rage thanks to their diversity of food and convenience. 

Windmill Food Hall is located in the iconic windmill building in Carlsbad, CA. The address is 890 Palomar Airport Road Carlsbad, California 92011. There is food, drink, happy hour, some outdoor seating and patio seating. If you are in the mood for coffee, check out my post on all the Carlsbad Coffee Shops. Carlsbad is near Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista.

Windmill Food Hall Hours

Windmill Food Hall is open daily.

Food Vendor Hours

Sunday-Thursday 11 am - 8 pm 

Friday-Saturday 11 am - 9 pm 

* Corner Coffee and El Puerto open daily at 8 am *

Bar Hours

Sunday-Thursday 11 am - 9 pm 

Friday-Saturday 11 am - 11 pm

Windmill Food Hall - Food Vendors

Pick a place to eat at or mix and match with friends. Find something for each person's different tastes. There are benches and space to sit. You'll find food and drink options in this bustling food hall. The convenient ordering system allows you to order without having to wait for table service. Windmill Food Hall is a great environment for families with little kids. It also has open seating areas and benches.

Bomb Burgerz 

New at Windmill Food Hall.

Cacio

Build your own pasta and eat some classic Italian delights at Cacio. They have appetizers, soup, salad, subs, and chefs specials like their carbonara or the chicken tequila penne. The build your own pasta allows you to pick your noodles, sauce, and veggies. You can add protein or other sides for an additional fee.

Corner Coffee

Come to Windmill Food Hall for your daily caffeine buzz. Corner Coffee opens daily at 8 am and it's the first thing you see when you enter the hall. 

Craft Pizza

Pizza lovers rejoice. Craft Pizza serves red and white pizza (without marinara sauce), breakfast pizza, calzones, desserts, and some canned and bottled beverages. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.

Cross Street Chicken and Beer 

Chicken combos, sandwiches, sides, and yes, Cross Street Chicken and Beer even has some plant-based chik'n items on the menu too. They have wing and tender flavors like The O.G., garlic parmesan, soy garlic, and more. Cluck cluck! 

District 1 Pho 

Menu items include the Build Your Own Bowl, Pho Dac Biet, Pho Tai, Banh Mi as well as starters such as egg rolls, bbq spring rolls, Nem Nuong spring rolls. You can also ask them about their street food of the week.

Taco Ensenada from El Cacho in Windmill Food Hall.

El Cacho

Fish Taco Stand is one of the newer stands at Windmill Food Hall. They have fish tacos and seafood like a shrimp and octopus cocktail.

El Puerto Street Tacos

El Puerto Street Tacos is open every day at 8 am. Food includes burritos, tacos, quesdillas, asada fries, side orders like corn tortillas, guacamole, salsa fresca. Vegan choices include The Vegan burrito and their potato fajita taco.

Mediterranean House 

Gyros, ground beef kebab wraps, hummus, oh my. Mediterranean House has plenty of delectable appetizers, plates, sandwiches, wraps, salads, drinks, and sauces! Vegan options such as falafel, dolmades, and more.

Notorious BBQ 

Baby got babyback ribs. Meats by the piece, sandwiches, sides (coleslaw, baked beans, collard greens, etc.) Notorious BBQ also has vegan options with their vegan bbq, vegan sausage sandwich, or vegan combo.

Rolled Up Sushi 

Sushi burritos, bowls, and rolls. Rolled Up Sushi has bowls and burritos such as chicken teriyaki or spicy tuna. Sushi rolls include veggie, Philly roll, poke roll, and more. They also have some drinks and offerings like Spam musubi and seaweed salad.

Secret Sauce Wok & Grill

Secret Sauce Wok & Grill has appetizers (such as crab rangoons or mini lumpia), soups, a lunch menu, dinner menu (Mongolian Beef, Szechuan Beef, etc.), drinks, and other goodies. Vegan options are available as well.

Thai Style 

The Mill Bar 

Located in San Marcos, California, North City has restaurants, a farmers market, live music, apartment living, and retail shopping opportunities. Whether you're looking for urban apartment townhomes or a coffee shop to get some work done, North City is your North County San Diego downtown public community hub.

North City San Marcos is near the Cal State University San Marcos main campus as well as Pima Medical Institute and CSUSM Extended Learning. You'll find a mix of retail and residential leasing opportunities. Learn more on the North City website.

In this post, I share details about North City San Marcos CA, the restaurants, Block C apartments, parking, and businesses in the downtown area. 

Farmers Market

Stop by North City's open-air market every Tuesday. It features local fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh-baked bread, seafood, dairy, nuts, fresh flowers, handcrafted gifts, prepared hot foods, and more. The market is open year-round Tuesdays 3 pm – 7 pm.

North City Restaurants

Buona Forchetta

The Buona Forchetta restaurant chain is known for its award-winning Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian upscale entrees. The San Marcos location is family-friendly with indoor seating as well as large patio options.

Address: 250 North City Drive Suite 3, San Marcos, CA

Copa Vida

Copa Vida has multiple locations throughout San Diego County. Drinks are tasty and ingredient-forward. The shop is pretty big, with bright open windows, plenty of chargers for your laptop. Over the years, this spot in North City used to be Halcyon, then GRIT, now it's Copa Vida.

Address: 250 North City Dr. Suite 1, San Marcos, CA 92078

Draft Republic - Not Open Yet

Draft Republic boasts 36 craft beers on tap, an on-site brewery, comfort food, full cocktail bar, 8 lane bowling alley, video wall, retro arcade, live music, private party rooms, outdoor patios, and more.

Fresh Healthy Cafe

Get your health-forward smoothies, fresh-squeezed juice, wraps, salads, or crunchy, warm, and melty paninis at Fresh Healthy Cafe. They also offer catering for your next event.

Address: 250 N City Dr Suite 5, San Marcos, CA 92078

Mason Ale Works - Temporarily Closed

Address: 255 Redel Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078

Tapioca Express

Parched? Searching for teas, boba, and maybe a snack? Tapioca Express offers milk tea, mangonada, juice, hot teas, and loads of beverage options to whet your appetite. Snacks include chicken wings, fried tofu, French fries, fried dumpling, among other items.

Address: 200 E Barham Dr Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92078

Urge Gastropub & Common House - Permanently Closed

Address: 255 Redel Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078

Umami Japanese

Umami Japanese serves rich, delicious cuisine in North City. They have a pet-friendly patio, perfect for bringing the whole family. The extensive menu boasts draft beer, Japanese beer, hot sake, wine, appetizers, salads, lunch specials, dinner bento, and so much more.

Address: 251 N City Dr Suite 122, San Marcos, CA 92078

Wynston's Ice Cream Co.

The flavors at Wynston's Ice Cream (formerly called Wynn's Ice Cream) will leave your mouth watering for more options. They have classic, nostalgic favorites always on the menu such as cookies in cream, mint chocolate chunk, peanut butter chocolate as well as rotating fun seasonal flavors. They also have vegan/dairy-free options.

Address: 251 N City Dr Suite 128E, San Marcos, CA 92078

Block C Apartments

Live in North City at the Block C Apartments - now leasing built-to-suit or spec units. You'll find modern, pet-friendly lofts and townhome apartments with state-of-the-art neighborhood amenities. It's walkable and you're right next to a bunch of restaurants, dining options, the university, and more. Perfect for campus-affiliated housing.

Other Businesses

North City has offices and commercial spaces to boot. If you're a local business, perhaps you're seeking retail, commercial office, or medical office spaces. These are available at North City as well. Join the party. Make sure to check online or call ahead to learn each business's current hours.

Mesa Rim

There's climbing, yoga, and fitness right in the heart of North City. Mesa Rim is an indoor rock climbing gym and fitness center. Bring friends, kids, family, and have fun.

Address: 285 Industrial Street San Marcos

Union Cowork

Get your cowork on at Union Cowork. They have flexible desks, dedicated desks, private offices, virtual offices, conference rooms, podcast rooms, and more.

Address: Address: 251 N City Dr #128F, San Marcos

Related reading: Things to Do in North County San Diego, California

CSUSM Extended Learning

Address: 288 Campus Way, San Marcos

Pima Medical Institute 

Address: 111 Campus Way, San Marcos

Parking

Structure 1 – 201 Campus Way 

7 days a week – Retail Parking Rules

Level 1. 90 min from 5 am - 2 am. 

Level 2-5. No limit, just don’t park in Reserved Residential. 

Structure 2 – 295 June Way 

Mon – Fri – Retail Parking Rules 

Level 1-2. 90 min from 5 am to 6 pm, then no time limit until 2 am. 

Level 2-6. No Parking (CSUSM only) from 5am to 6pm, then no time limit until 2 am. 

Sat & Sun – Retail Parking Rules 

Level 1-2. 90 min from 5 am to 6 pm, then no time limit until 2 am. 

Level 2-6. No time limit from 5 am to 2 am.

Located in San Marcos, North City's restaurant, retail, and residential options make it a thriving community development and neighborhood in  North County San Diego. San Marcos is close to Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe,  Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Vista, and Oceanside.

Related reading: 

Coffee Shops in Carlsbad, California

Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, Parking, Everything You Need to Know!

Roma Mexico City is a colorful, hip neighborhood filled with culture, local pet-friendly restaurants, plants, and art galleries. Colonia Roma has a lot of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, traditional Mexican cuisine, as well as fusion restaurants. This neighborhood is covered in greenery, plants, and vines that make you feel like you're in a park, not a bustling, modern city like CDMX. CDMX is a big city with an endless amount of things to do.

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Scroll down to learn more about popular questions: Is Roma in Mexico City Safe?, Restaurants and Cafes, Places to Stay, Art, Bars, and more.

Roma Mexico City is the ideal place for artists, creatives, hipsters to find inspiration. People describe Colonia Roma as a hipster-type of neighborhood. Merriam Webster defines hipster as a person who is unusually aware of and interested in new and unconventional patterns. There are residential buildings, art galleries, street food, cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs, art deco architecture, street art, and more. Explore the parks and squares of Roma Mexico, do a bit of shopping, then visit one of the cafes for a bite to eat. 

Fodor's Inside Mexico City (Full-color Travel Guide) - Buy the book on Amazon.

Colonia Roma, Roma Norte, Roma Sur: What is the Difference?

There are many colonias or neighborhoods in CDMX. Some of the better known colonias are Bosques de las Lomas, Centro, Condesa, Roma, Colonia Juarez, Coyoacán, Del Valle, Jardines del Pedregal, Polanco, Zona Rosa, and more.

Colonia Roma is also called La Roma, La Romita, or at its simplest, Roma. You'll find this district located in Mexico City's Cuauhtémoc borough which is west of the city's historic center. Roma is broken down into Roma Norte and Roma Sur, which is the northern and southern portion of the neighborhood. 

Related reading: The Xcaret Underground River Experience: Things to Do in Xcaret.

Is Roma in Mexico City Safe? 

Maybe you’re wondering, is Roma Norte safe? Is it safe to walk in Roma Norte at night? Is La Condesa Mexico City Safe? The answer is yes! We felt safe walking around. 

Panaderia Rosetta

Restaurants and Cafes

Top rated restaurant-options include Fonda Recomienda, Tortería Los Güeros, Cine Tonalá, El Parnita, La Pitahaya, Lalo!, La Chicha, Panaderia Rosetta, Por Siempre Vegana Taqueria, Maximo Bistrot Local, Nudo Negro, Contramar, Mog, and so much more. Roma Norte and Roma Sur are buzzing with foodie options to make your stay in Mexico one your taste buds will never forget.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, snacks, wine, there are many Mexico City food options. Some places might have a website and social media presence where they provide their menu and hours online, while other establishments more so focus on in-person inquiries or phone calls. Check ahead to see if you need a reservation. We loved Panadería Rosetta for fresh pan dulce, pastries, and tastiness. Por Siempre Vegana Taqueria was popular amongst Mexico City locals and tourists alike, with a 45-minute wait!

Looking for more tips on things to do? Take a look at this book called Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide for the Curious Traveler - Buy it on Amazon.

Por Siempre Vegana Taqueria

Tacos

Depending where you are, there are food options within walking distance. Walking around the street can be an amazing experience in itself as you search for coffee or perhaps a mezcal. Colonia Roma is definitely a lively corner of Mexico City filled with places to eat, shop, and stay. Make a trip to the food hall market, Mercado Roma, or find some tacos at a local restaurant. Taquería Los Parados, La Chicha, El Parnita, Tacos Nena, or any other place in Roma Norte or Roma Sur. There are shrimp tacos, tacos al pastor, chicken, pork, veggie, you name it.

Classic And Contemporary Recipes From Mexico City, a cookbook - Find it here.

Mercado Roma

Mercado Roma is a thriving food hall located at Querétaro 225 Col. Roma 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX Mexico. There are many food stands to pick and choose from depending on what you're in the mood for. You can get takeout or dine in and people watch as groups nosh and sip on their delights. Check out the Mercado Roma website for current hours and food stands.

Roma Movie

You might recall hearing of Roma Mexico City from the film of the same on Netflix, Roma. Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuarón writes and directs Roma, an emotional portrait of a domestic worker's journey set against domestic and political turmoil in 1970s Mexico. It's on Netflix if you'd like to watch it.

Places to Stay

There are a number of bed and breakfasts, rooms, and places to stay in Roma area if you want to stay the night.  You can find private rooms, apartments, vacation rentals to suit your style. There are different options based on your budget, number of guests, and length of stay. Here are a few top hotels.

Related reading: El Cielo Winery Resort on Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Mexico

Casa Goliana - luxury bed and breakfast in a restored 20th-century house with high ceilings

Address: Calle Guanajuato 199, Mexico City 06700 

Phone Number: 011 52 55 6826 9648 

Website: Casa Goliana

La Valise CDMX - adorned with Mexican antiques, unique art, cultured charm.

Address: Tonalá 53, Roma Norte, 06700, Roma Norte

Phone Number: +1 (305) 999 1540

Website: La Valise CDMX

Nima Local House Hotel - a boutique hotel in Mexico City

Address: Calle Colima 236 Col Roma Norte 06700

Phone Number: +52 55 7591 7175

Website: Nima Local House Hotel

Recipes and Stories from the Heart of Mexico City - Find it on Amazon.

Art

There are plenty of things to do in Mexico City. Start with a walk to an art gallery. such as Fifty24mx, Trouvé, Rojo Bermelo (in Condesa), Cultura Colectiva Galería, Vértigo Galería, Tinta Naranja (Condesa), and more.

Shopping

From shoes to books, shopping is easy in Roma. There are local boutiques and cool places all around the neighborhood. So bring your pesos or a credit card and let's get shopping. Vinyl Rules is a thrift store in Roma Norte. There's Saanta Vintage, Macundales (cards, stationery, books), Head to Bazar Cuauhtémoc for antiques. Pabellón Cuauhtémoc is a shopping center in Roma Sur. Shop vintage clothes, cute boutiques, and other things.

Bars

Sip and savor the view at one of Colonia Roma's bars. This neighborhood has quite a few options. The bar scene is ready for you. Order mezcal, tequila, pulque, whatever your heart desires. The world is your oyster. Stop by Limantour at Álvaro Obregón 106 Col. roma 06700 México, D.F. Mexico. Okupa has mezcal. You can also fine Cine Tonalá, Club San Luis, La Botica, Dance Floor (if you want to dance/go to a gay bar) XOIO Bar (has gluten-free options!), Perros y Burros, and more.

Market, Corner Stores, Groceries

If you rent a room or entire apartment in Roma, you might be on the lookout for a market to buy some basics like bottled water, veggies, fruit, and other local goods. There are Oxxo's and other markets throughout the neighborhood.

Have a Fun Trip!

This is your sign to visit Mexico City's colorful Colonia Roma neighborhood for coffee, places to stay and shop, music, culture, and amazing local Mexican food. Explore the colonias (neighborhoods) in Mexico City. I hope this entire article can help you navigate your stay in Mexico City's Colonia Roma. You could also visit nearby colonias (neighborhoods) such as Condesa and Polanco neighborhood. 

Do you have any trip tips for Mexico City? Feel free to share or save a photo on Pinterest. 

Learn more about traveling to Mexico on the Visit Mexico website. You'll enjoy visiting Mexico City if you like coffee shops, food stalls, museums, beautiful buildings, hidden gems, and nature! Popular things to do in CDMX are Bellas Artes, Soumaya Museum, Frida Kahlo Museum.

Read my other blog posts about Mexico:

A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms

Things To Do at Playas de Tijuana, Mexico

Things to Do in Queretaro Centro, Mexico Top Attractions

There are plenty of fun things to do with your friends at home. It doesn't have to be a big, expensive shindig. Do it your way and it can still be cool! Integrate your personality and your friends into the party. Ask them ahead of time if they have any suggestions on what they want to do: play card games, watch a few movies, create a scavenger hunt. You could even have a slumber party or sleepover - click here for ideas on what to do.

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Fun Things to Do with Friends at Home

Stuck at home? Invite a friend over and you can use this as a bucket list to get creative and check off as many things as possible! There are plenty of alternative ideas to choose from. This list is geared toward adults but you can modify many ideas for a kid's party or gathering.

You can take as many or as few of these awesome ideas as you want. Many of these are free but some require little planning, driving, or purchasing. For example, in order to watch Netflix, someone has to have a Netflix account, you get the idea.

Try kombucha, read a book, and hang out in the backyard.

1. Play records, cassettes, CDs, whatever you've got. 
2. Have a karaoke night.
3. Snap photos. Download a cool photo app like Huji so it feels like you're taking real photos. Take turns taking photos of each other!
4. Paint. Let the art flow through you. Use watercolors, fingerpaints, whatever you have available. Or you can take a friend group trip to your local Michaels or the craft store to pick up supplies. Paint and let your imagination soar. Use can use recycled paper or cardboard to paint on.
5. Finger paint. It's tons of fun!
6. Draw self-portraits of yourselves.
7. Draw each other.
8. Draw each other with your eyes closed!
9. Craft something. Knit, crochet, collage, scrapbook, etc.
10. Do a virtual art tour or museum tour. Visit the Louvre online tour or Boston Children's Museum via online tour.
11. Conduct a science experiment. 
12. Fill in a coloring book. You can use colored pencils, markers, or Crayons.
13. Create a Spotify or YouTube playlist of songs. That way you can learn a little bit about each other's music taste.
14. Create a vision board and let your creative juices flow.
15. Film a TikTok video or TikTok dance.
16. Solve an online escape room.
17. Do a taste test challenge to guess the food or brand. For example you could test out different kinds of orange soda, different kinds of cheese, etc.
18. Bake and decorate cookies. There are so many awesome designs to create from Frankenstein to Pacman to a truck to a book.
19. Make pizza. You can buy pizza dough, pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings and bake your own creations at home. My sister and I used to do this with our friends at home. It was so fun!
20. Grab takeout food from a local restaurant and eat dinner in the backyard.
21. BBQ night. Barbeque some veggies and meats.
22. Host a dessert night. Each person brings a different dessert.
23. Dinner night. Each person brings a dish they eat a lot at home.
24. Dip night. Each person brings a different homemade dip (queso dip, spinach and artichoke dip, hummus, etc).
25. Drink night. Each person brings a different cocktail or mocktail or fun drink.
26. Host a beer or wine tasting, each person brings a different type of beer/wine.
27. Try kombucha, sparkling waters, or some beverage of choice.
28. Try a new recipe using ingredients you have at home. Google one or use a recipe book.
29. Make ice cream sundaes.
30. Make ice cream in a bag.
31. Try different foods or snacks from around the world.
32. Favorite movie night. You can view one of each of your favorite movies.
33. Award-winning movie night. Whether it's an Academy Award, Golden Globe Awards, Visual Effects Society Awards, pick an award you want to focus on & watch a few movies that won.
34. Nostalgia kids movie night. Watch movies that you saw as kids. It'll bring back quality memories! You could spend hours watching your faves.
35. Watch scary movies.
36. Watch a movie series (Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, Twilight, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek you get the drift).
37. Watch a short-ish TV series (Twin Peaks, Schitts Creek, Pushing Daisies, Lie to Me, etc.)
38. Watch a sporting event on TV. Depends on the season or if you can catch something on TV, perhaps something live streaming on Hulu, etc.
39. Join a Livestream.
40. Host a sleepover. Have your best friends spend the night. You can watch movies, play board games or games like Heads Up on your phone.
41. Pool party. If you have a pool, use it. It'll be refreshing in the summer and for hot days too.
42. Bored of watching TV? Tell scary stories. Take turns telling your scariest story. Bonus points if it's real!!!
43. Have a dance party.
44. Have a costume party.
45. Hosta tea party.
46. Spa day. Take care of your skin, do face masks, you could even make body scrub at home.
47. Read a book together. Take turns reading paragraphs/pages.
48. Start a book club.
49. Talk about your goals.
50. Go around and discuss the stories of how you first met.
51. Challenge each other with video games.
52. Listen to an audiobook.
53. Listen to a podcast series.
54. Rearrange the furniture so it feels like a totally new vibe.
55. Call or FaceTime a long-distance friend who couldn't be there.
56. Hungry? Call in an order for food delivery.
57. Host a clothing swap where each person brings some clothes, shoes, accessories that they don't want anymore.
58. Make slime.
59. Make a scavenger hunt.
60. Make friendship bracelets.
61. Make a flower arrangement.
62. Write letters to each other.
63. Write letters to your future selves.
64. Write a short story by each writing one sentence. Write one sentence, then the next friend writes a sentence, and then you keep going back and forth between however many friends are over.
65. Practice writing with your non-dominate hands.
66. See if you can decipher each other's notes created with the non-dominant hand.
67. Tie-dye t-shirts (or socks, shorts, sheets, the sky is the limit).
68. Stretch out to a yoga video on YouTube.
69. Meditate. You can do a guided meditation on YouTube or download an app for it.
70. Practice mindfulness.
71. Listen to ASMR videos on YouTube.
72. Build a fort.
73. Do a puzzle. Puzzles are a perfect way to liven the mood with little effort.
74. Do a crossword puzzle.
75. Do an online workout video.
76. Band night. Jam together and play music with whatever instruments you have, tambourine, keyboard, bongo.
77. Play truth or dare.
78. Play Simon Says.
79. Try playing 20 questions.
80. Try playing Rock Paper Scissors.
81. Do a round hangman.
82. Play tic tac toe.
83. Play Monopoly.
84. Have fun with the game of Life.
85. Play a card game. Poker, rummy, go fish, war, etc.
86. Play Telephone.
87. Try a game of charades.
88. Play I Spy.
89. Play Cards Against Humanity.
90. Play a board game.
91. Invent your own board game or game.
92. Play an indoor mini version of basketball, badminton, tennis, soccer, football, handball, baseball.
93. Play a murder mystery game. You could find an app or buy something online beforehand.
94. Do the 5 Senses game where you each say what you can See, Hear, Smell, Taste, Touch. It's pretty fun, almost meditating in a way and great way to calm down or slow down after a long day.
95. Learn some cool magic tricks.
96. Challenge yourselves and learn a language (you could use Duolingo or a free app).
97. Plan a future trip.
98. Book a future trip.
99. Set up a tent and do indoor camping. 
100. Do outdoor camping. Camp in the backyard or garden.
101. Do a water balloon fight outside or in the yard.
102. Pot some plants or flowers. Each person can take home a small potted plant or succulent.
103. Hang out in the backyard and set up a self-hanging hammock stand to relax.
104. Catch up and just hang out. Enjoy the night!
105. Enjoy the sunset.
106. Enjoy the sunrise.
107. Watch the clouds.
108. Stargaze.

Make a flower arrangement.

Enjoy the sunset.

You and your friends will have an absolute blast in the night to remember. The great news is there are fun things to do with friends at home in the morning, the afternoon, or at night, it doesn't always have to be a sleepover or evening activity. You can have fun in the morning experience as well all while making it a budget-friendly or even free process. 

What can you do with your friends at home? 

You and your friends can have a great time at home. Want to make it a fun night? Dig deep within yourself and identify what you actually like to do. There are a lot of fun things to do with friends at home for kids, teens, and adults alike. Teenagers might appreciate movie night, sleepovers, makeovers, a home spa day, a pool day, cooking or baking something fun like rainbow cake, video games, making TikTok videos, home indoor picnic.

What do 13-year-olds do at home with friends? 

Look through these exciting activities with your friends. That way you can determine what works best for your family. In some cases, you might have to get something if you don't already own it (games like Life or Monopoly, access to movies, DVDs or streaming services, etc.) Ask your parents or see if your friends have them at their house to bring them over; it could be a potluck but for parties and everyone brings something different. There's anything that you're not sure about or if they're some supplies you want to pick up, ask your parents.

What do you do with your best friend? 

If you are bored at home there are plenty of ideas to have a cool night.  Invite your best friend over and do as many things on this list as you can. You can do fun things with friends without spending a lot of money. From having a picnic in the garden to cooking your favorite comfort food to blasting music on your iPhone, you can create an amazing experience without having to spend a load of money.

What can a teenage girl do when bored at home?

There is a lot for girls to do at home. You can read a book or listen to podcasts. There are so many podcasts about unique subjects you might be interested in and maybe even about your favorite shows or movies to learn more about behind-the-scenes. You can write. Get your brain moving and grooving and do a crossword puzzle. No matter what you decide to do, you and your friends will make memories and have a great time.