Can I substitute going to Spain by going to Mexico?

Lastly I've kinda decided to go see Spain, cause all that spanish stuff really attracts me, for instance their architecture, history, culture etc. I'm from LA, and my buddy George said to me like what the hell why do you have to spend so much money on Spain when you can just drive to Tijuana, you'll be there in an hour, and that's exactly equivalent to Spain. So I'm thinking whether to go to Spain or Tijuana? Question to Hispanic people living in Spain and Tijuana do you consider yourselves pretty much similar to each other? THanks