Thanks to all the great advice from this forum - especially Pstreet and Kenito - we were able to plan our family vacation to Rosarito. I'm so glad I didn't let the scaremongers keep us from going, it was the best family vacation we've taken and so exceeded my expectations!

I was most nervous about driving and I have to say we had no problems at all. The worst part of the drive down was getting out of LA - crossing the border was easy and we had good directions from Pstreet, which really helped us avoid getting confused on the way to the toll road. Once we were on the toll road we were fine. We kept to the speed limit (the hardest part, as most of the time the roads were wide open) and I don't think the police or the federali ever gave us a second glance, mid-30's couples with little kids in the back aren't quite what they're looking for. We ended up driving & exploring most days of our trip, both on the toll road and the free road.

La Paloma was fantastic! The little duplex we rented was oceanfront with a great view - waves so loud I had trouble sleeping the first night until I got used to them (my ocean sounds CD doesn't come close). The unit next door was empty the whole time we were there so it was very private and the kids could run and play on the grass and sandy areas out front. 2bd/2bth for about the same price we paid for a one-room 'suite' at Best Western on our last family trip - amazing!

It was VERY quiet at La Paloma, which I loved although I think the kids would have liked a little more company on the beach. Our third day there, Friday, we walked to town & I was amazed at the crowds near the Rosarito Beach Hotel and in town. The party crowd in town made me very glad we hadn't stayed in town, but it was nice to be able to walk in along the beach which we did a several times - sometimes just for ice cream at Michoacana across from the artisans market, the boys thought that was the best ice cream ever!

I felt very safe the whole time we were there. I've seen complaints about the beach vendors but we had no problems - Puerto Vallarta had 10x more vendors. A polite 'no gracias' and they went on their way. Looked like hard work, lugging all that stuff up and down the beach, just trying to earn a living. We bought a few souvenirs - hats and super-hero parasail/kites for the boys and a woven beach bag. One afternoon after lunch at Calafia (lunch was fine, great view, but we really went because the boys wanted to see the ship) we stopped at the tile shops along the free road. So many beautiful tiles to choose from - it was amazing. Once I finally managed to make a choice I got enough tiles to do my entire kitchen backsplash for $170 - estimates at tile stores in LA were $600-$900!

We didn't make it to enough of the recommended restaurants, yet another reason to return. We did enjoy Bobby's, especially Bobby himself, and we loved La Fonda. A family of chickens - rooster, hen and six chicks made their lunchtime home under our table, which the boys loved. We adults loved the margaritas and my husband said the English style fish & chips was some of the best he's had on the pacific coast. The best part of La Fonda was the atmosphere. Great setting, good guitar player, great view.

We all agreed that we want to come back - as soon as we can and often! After viewing our photos from the trip my husband's parents in England want us to take them to Rosarito when they come over next year, as does his sister. Now we just need to find a bigger place to rent for that. But I think the four of us will make villa 254 at La Paloma a favorite family getaway!

Thank you again Pstreet and Kenito for all great recommendations and advice!