The Best Things You Should Experience in Baja California

Not everyone knows this, but Baja California produces some excellent wine. The stunning Valle de Guadalupe in Baja Norte is mile after mile of independent wineries; many offering vineyard tours and tastings for as little as 45 pesos (if you arrive independently). With lots of delicious wineries to explore, tours are a great place to start. A guide will give you a tour of the beautiful landscapes, starting from the picking and pressing stage right through to fermentation and wood-barrel ageing. For those who prefer beer to wine, your guide can also arrange for visits to craft breweries in the area.

Book wine and beer tasting as part of these tours of Baja California.

During the months of December to early April, something incredible happens in Guerrero Negro’s Laguna Ojo de Liebre. Almost the entire world’s population of grey whales migrate to its shallow waters to socialise, mate and give birth. The whales here are hugely social, and actually seek human interaction by pushing their newborn calves – and even lifting them up – towards the boats to be petted. In fact, you’ll often be told by your captain to stroke and splash the whales as much as possible, otherwise they leave for attention from another boat.

Before Jesuits arrived in Baja California in the 1600s, the Indians had lived a semi-nomadic life across the peninsula’s desert for thousands of years. Sadly, most of these Indians were killed off by European diseases, so little is known about their way of life, traditions and culture. However, they did leave behind something very special – some of the largest and oldest (some are believed to be over 7,000 years old) concentrations of rock art in the Americas. One of the most impressive caves, La Cueva Pintada – boasting 5m-high paintings of whales, deer and shaman magic – can be reached on a 3-4 day muleback trek through the stunning Sierra de San Francisco.

If you didn’t get the chance to see the cave paintings near San Ignacio – or your itinerary doesn’t allow for a multi-day trek – it’s also possible to see some Indian petroglyphs and paintings from the next town along, Mulegé (just a 2-hour drive south from San Ignacio). Whilst not as large as the Cueva Pintada, the paintings found in Cañon La Trinidad are no less impressive.

How many people can say they’ve seen the biggest mammal ever recorded on earth – up close and in their natural habitat? During the months of January to late March, beautiful Loreto Bay National Marine Park comes alive with dozens of blue whales in search of plentiful food and calm waters.

Go in search of the gentle giants yourself on these amazing whale watching trips.

No trip to Baja Sur is complete without experiencing the peninsula’s two biggest attractions – taking a dip with playful sea lions and, during winter and spring, whale sharks too. With few predators and plenty of fish to feast on, the sea lion colony at Los Islotes (just a 45-minute panga ride from La Paz) remain all year round and are famous for being some of the most playful in the world – they’ll put on a show of twists and turns, nudge your flippers, and even tug on your lifejacket straps to get your attention!

The whale sharks are a little more chilled out, but, reaching up to 12m in length, no less impressive – they swim gracefully alongside you, seemingly undisturbed by your presence, whilst you choke on your mask with excitement and kick your flippers like mad to keep up with them.

Visiting Espiritu Santo Island is on everyone’s Baja bucket list. However, if you want to do it right (and time allows), you need to get in a kayak… for several days. With its pristine white sand beaches backed by desert canyons, epic wildlife-spotting opportunities and calm, crystal clear waters, Espiritu Santo Island is an outdoor adventurer’s dream – and a sea kayaking paradise.

Pick up your paddles and head out to sea with these kayaking tours.

Located just an hour and a half’s drive from La Paz, Todos Santos is considered to be one of Baja’s most picturesque towns. Dainty coffee houses, artisan shops, independent galleries and beautiful colonial boutique hotels have been drawing travellers and expats here since the early 90s – and is today a highlight of any Baja South itinerary. What many visitors don’t know, however, is that Todos Santos guards a fascinating history spanning almost 400 years.

Take in the towns of Baja, California with these fascinating walking tours.

Probably the most iconic landmark in Baja, Lands’ End (locally known as El Arco) is a stunning rock formation that marks the transition from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of California at the very southern tip of the peninsula. And one of the most spectacular ways to see it? From above! Avispa Aviation offers 30-minute helicopter rides of the area, taking in the turquoise coves of Santa Maria Bay, Lovers’ Beach and finishing off with epic views of The Arch. If you can arrange this around sunset, even better.

See the sunsetting over the coast with these stunning sunset cruises.