La Cava de Marcelo
Carretera Federal 3, Real del Castillo Nuevo, Mexico, 22890
Among the cheesemakers in the Valle Ojos Negros east of Ensenada, La Cava de Marcelo is one of the few cheese farms that welcomes visitors for wine, craft beer, desserts, and naturally, cheese. A small family business that has been in operation for generations, La Cava de Marcelo produces a variety of homespun cheeses, which it serves with spices, butter, ricotta, and more.
The basics
A variety of food tours and shore excursions visit La Cava de Marcelo for tastings and to learn about the cheese production process. Alternatively, visit on your own and join an in-house tour, during which you’ll visit the farm stables to see the cows, learn about cheese making, and enjoy tastings of many types of cheese, which are paired with wine, beer, and the piece de resistance: homemade ice cream.
Things to know before you go
The farm has lawns and picnic tables.
In addition to tastings, the cheese farm offers lunch and dinner with seafood and duck tortas on the menu.
Tastings and tours typically cost US$10 or less with discounts for children.
How to get there
La Cava de Marcelo is in Baja California, roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Ensenada. Unless you book a tour with transport included, the best way to reach the cheese farm is by driving. Without traffic, it’s a roughly 50-minute drive along the Ensenada-San Felipe Highway: turn north after passing Ojos Negros, then it’s a short drive to the farm.
When to get there
Marcelo is typically open from Thursday to Sunday from early afternoon to early evening. Generally, the best time to visit Ensenada is during the shoulder seasons of April to May or September to October. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and are a great time to explore the local vineyards and cheese farms.
Casa Marcelo in Ensenada
If you can't make it out to La Cava de Marcelo to taste its signature cheese, head to the Casa Marcelo restaurant in Ensenada instead. The restaurant is in the Zona Centro area of town and features ingredients straight from Marcelo’s farm.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!