The best places to camp are near small coastal towns and away from mega resort corridors, like Los Cabos. Read online forums and feel out the vibe of the place before staking the tent. January to March is prime whale-watching season and the height of tourist visits. Summer is the best time to surf and brings temperatures that can soar into the nineties.
Spring May and June and fall October and November have more moderate temperatures—the seventies to eighties—and fewer crowds, but beware that the Pacific Ocean hurricane season runs mid-May through November. In the fall of , the area around La Ventana was deluged with rain, which made the desert lush and green but also left roads impassable in some places. The calmest water for sea kayakers can be had from October through early December, the best time for kiteboarders and windsurfers is mid-October to early April, and anglers can try their luck year-round, depending on what they want to catch.
Driving the entire mile-long peninsula, as many Americans do annually with their dogs, tents, mountain bikes , surfboards , and SUPs , takes a solid week. For a great starter Baja road trip, complete with surfing, hiking, canyoneering, kayaking, and an opportunity to redefine your notion of what constitutes Mexican food, try this mile loop, which starts and ends in Tijuana, going through Valle de Guadalupe and its vineyards, the coastal city of Ensenada, and the little-known Constitution of National Park along the way.
Or simply choose a couple of the destinations or adventures below. Tijuana is experiencing a cultural renaissance, with cutting-edge architecture, colorful murals, and a spicy food scene. In the afternoon, meander the mural-and-graffiti-filled pasajes , or artistic corridors, of El Centro.
Head to Border Psycho Brewery for a smooth cream ale, then on to 52 Kool for an explosion of traditional central-Mexico flavors and classic Baja ingredients, like seafood, quail, and organic chicken.
From Tijuana, head east on Highway 2D for 36 miles to Tecate. Stop at Restaurante Amores in Tecate, where the husband-wife owner-chefs have impressive culinary pedigrees. Order the chile- and garlic-infused tortilla soup, garnished with octopus.
From Tecate, turn south on Mexico 3, and drive 46 miles to Valle de Guadalupe. The award-winning wines in this region are the handiwork of a little-known sect of Russian Christians who planted grapes when they immigrated here in At Fauna , a relaxed restaurant within the exquisite hotel Bruma , local David Castro Hussong has created an organic oasis on acres of vineyards, where the stark elegance enhances the surrounding arid landscape.
A tranquilo fishing port 30 miles south of Valle de Guadalupe, the surf here stretches north and south of the city, with serious waves at beaches like La Fonda, El Pico, and Stacks. Gentler breaks are farther south, at Playa Hermosa. Ensenada-based X Tour offers canyoning, rappelling, hiking, kayaking, or a combination of all four in one day.
The Sierra de Juarez is 60 miles east of Ensenada on Mexico 3. An oasis for mule deer, bighorn sheep, cougars, coyotes, bobcats, and soaring falcons, the 12,acre forested park sits at about 5, feet and boasts high-alpine Hanson Lake. Hike Jeffrey Route, a two-mile loop from the visitor center. Along the path sits a representation of a Kumeyaay camp, the indigenous people who settled in what is now the southwestern U.
Or hike to the top of Hanson Hill, the summit of which is almost 6, feet. Take advantage of the incredible array of fish and shrimp tacos sold at stands on nearly every Ensenada corner. Tijuana is a mile drive north on coast-hugging Mexico 1D. Tijuana: One Bunk Tijuana , a room boutique hotel in the center of everything, with clean, modern lines, exposed brick walls, and beds so comfortable you can sleep off an all-nighter.
Valle de Guadalupe: At Bruma , eight glass-and-wood suites surround a main living room, pool, and deck and are so organically designed that you feel immersed in the surrounding landscape.
Camping: There are a few gated campgrounds, like Playa Saldamando, eight miles north of Ensenada. For a more private option, drive south of Ensenada, boot up Google Earth, zoom in, and find dirt tracks that lead to any empty remote coastline, where you can camp as long as you leave no trace. In between are resorts for every budget, 11 major surf breaks, ample opportunities to watch whales or deep-sea fish for wahoo, marlin, and tuna, and culinary oases, like Flora Farms , a acre organic working farm and an open-air restaurant in the foothills of Sierra de la Laguna.
Beware: many beaches in Los Cabos are often closed to swimming due to deep drop-offs near the shoreline that create dangerous riptides and currents, so heed the signs. Costa Azul Surf School offers rentals, lessons, and expert guides who lead excursions to lesser known breaks.
Whales begin migrating south to the Los Cabos region in the middle of November, birth their calves in late December and January, nurse them through March and April, then begin their migration north. One of the most long-standing is Pisces Sportfishing , which started operating in La Paz in and eventually migrated south to Los Cabos.
Since then several of its captains have been recognized with the Billfish Foundation Award for most striped marlin released worldwide. Drive west of town, and almost any road will dead-end at a dune from which you can walk the seemingly endless stretch of golden sand known as La Cachora beach. Baja California hosts a wide variety of exciting outdoor activities.
Feeding San Diego's Together Tour food distributions take place all over San Diego County and provide at least 50 pounds of food to every attendee. We need frontline volunteers to assist with Run along the "Silver Strand," at Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.
English Change Language. Welcome to. Ensenada valleys account for most of Mexico's wine production. Although not yet as famous as their northern neighbor, wineries in the U. Scofflaws - gringos getting drunk, using drugs or visiting prostitutes - are the most likely to experience Mexico's legal system.
Most laws in Baja California, though less frequently enforced, carry more severe penalties than they do in the United States. Bandits Bandidos are more urban legend than reality, though there are occasional reports of robberies on remote highways. Since June , about a half-dozen robberies and carjackings that targeted U.
Violent crimes are rare between San Quentin and Cabos San Lucas, but due to isolation and lack of development this portion of the Baja California has a different set of risks. This portion of the peninsular highway is extremely remote and traveling in a well fueled reliable vehicle is essential. Gas stations often run out of gas or are closed, so never risk driving while low on fuel.
Driving at night is not recommended. One of several reasons is due to the risk of livestock and wild horses in the roads. Another is to avoid other intoxicated drivers. Mexican drivers are often overly aggressive while overtaking and Baja California's main highway Number "1" is marked with literally hundreds of crosses marking spots where drivers met their untimely end. Car insurance, though expensive, is highly recommended.
Drug Dealers , mostly international, use the remote areas of Baja California for operations; most tourists are unlikely to encounter them. However, because of this problem there are several checkpoints maintained by the Mexican military along the highway. The inter-peninsular border is a particularly sensitive area and expect to ask for your tourist card and or passport when crossing.
Soldiers and officials are usually very friendly and courteous provided your full cooperation. Never run through military checkpoints as guards are armed and have the right to shoot! Drug smuggling, any form of firearm illegal in Mexico and fruits and vegetables are their main concerns. Mexicans are mostly traditional and Catholic, therefore nude and for women, topless sunbathing is illegal in Mexico except in Zipolite , where the practice of naturism was legalized in - while you often will get away with it on remote beaches, many of the locals strongly disapprove, and there are reports of large fines.
The water in restaurants is generally bottled and purified. Do not drink tap water as in most of Mexico. High roaming charges may apply. See your cell phone service provider for details. Portions of Baja California include some of the most remote parts of North America so service will only apply to major cities.
To call USA numbers from a local pay phone or local private phone, use a calling card. Calling the USA via numbers suggested on payphones are outrageously high. All Mexican pay phones require a pre-paid plastic phone card. For longer term travels, SIM cards can be purchased cheaply that allows various plans for calls to both Mexico and the United States.
It is virtually impossible to call numbers from Baja California; therefore it is prudent to carry a non number alternative. Directory assistance calls are rapaciously expensive, so jot all important numbers in advance of your trip.
States [ edit ]. Map of Baja California. This region travel guide to Baja California is an outline and may need more content.
It has a template , but there is not enough information present.
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