Its abundant water and fertile soil made Tecate the perfect site for a productive farm market.

In 1919, Governor Esteban Cantú ordered the first urban plan for the city, charging engineer Luis Pavón with its design and implementation.

[11] Tecate's altitude of approximately 540 m (1,770 ft) above sea level and its proximity to the ocean contribute to the temperate climate.

The gradual transition from coastal to desert climate is on the eastern side of the peninsular mountains a few miles east.

Tecate is also the name of a small river that courses through the city, and of a hamlet on the Alta California (US side) of the border, affectionately known as "Tecatito" (population around 100; ZIP code 91980).

[16] In summer/early fall, the annual Tecate-to-Ensenada bicycle race takes place, with thousands of cyclists from both sides of the border participating.

July is the time for a two-week celebration in Los Encinos Park, featuring dance groups, crafts, food concessions, and exhibits.

The pamplonada, or running of the bulls, was ordinarily held in August in the 1980s and early 1990s along one of the main streets, but it was canceled because of a series of accidents and violence.

Tecate is on a spur of Mexican Federal Highway 2 that connects Tijuana with Mexicali via the central Sierra mountains.

Instead, Tecate residents are served by nearby Tijuana International Airport (TIJ), with flights to most major Mexican cities.