The second-longest peninsula on Earth, Baja California is an explorer’s wonderland, and you’ll find plenty of things to do whether you’re looking to post up at a Los Cabos resort or chase the state’s best surf breaks. Desert landscape beckons at the edge of every town, while UNESCO-listed rock art sites line the Sierra de San Francisco. Leave dry land to find Baja’s most vivid wonders, with opportunities to snorkel, dive, fish, and paddle its two long coasts. From December through April, the peninsula offers a front-row seat for watching the annual migration of gray whales to warm, sheltered Pacific coast lagoons.
Warm, sunny weather from November through May makes this time of year the high season for all of Baja California. Resort areas are busiest during the Christmas and Easter holidays, and the sometimes-raucous party scene peaks during the February–March “spring break” weeks when crowds of university students visit from the United States. Gray whales can be spotted between December and April, with the highest numbers visible in January and February.
Baja California’s main airport is Los Cabos International Airport, with smaller airports in La Paz, Tijuana, and other towns. While buses link those hubs to most major tourist destinations, renting a car is great for reaching further-flung places. If you’re driving your own car or renting upon arrival, getting Mexican car insurance offers peace of mind. It’s also possible to travel to mainland Mexico via car ferries that make frequent overnight trips between La Paz and Mazatlán or Topolobampo.
While dining out, wine lovers should search the menu for local vintages, because Baja is earning an international reputation for its Valle de Guadalupe wineries. The biggest wine-making communities there are San Antonio de las Minas, Francisco Zarco, and El Porvenir, where many wineries have tasting rooms that are open to the public. Valle de Guadalupe wines are growing more diverse, but the most popular grapes are still cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, sauvignon blanc, and chenin blanc.
Local Currency Mexican Peso (MX$) | Time Zone PDT (UTC -8) | Country Code +52 | Language(s) Spanish | Attractions 4 | Tours 134 | Reviews 4,192 |
Baja California is known for trips to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. Beautiful beaches and great scuba diving bring travelers to Los Cabos, the region’s top tourist destination, but there are endless ways to enjoy the shoreline. Visitors find opportunities for whale watching, surfing, snorkeling, and fishing across the region.
...MoreYes, Baja California is worth visiting. With everything from laid-back surf towns to glitzy seaside resorts, the world’s second-largest peninsula caters to all kinds of travelers. In between Tijuana and Los Cabos lie arid mountains, fishing villages, taco stands, and endless hammock-strung beaches ideal for catching Baja’s spectacular sunsets.
...MoreTravelers enjoy mild, sunny weather from November through April, which are among the best times to visit Baja California. Gray whales begin to arrive on the Pacific coast by late December, but whale watchers can maximize their odds of spotting big pods by booking their trips in January or February.
...MoreTijuana, Mexicali, and Ensenada are the three biggest cities in Baja California, but they’re not necessarily the top tourist destinations. With gorgeous seaside scenery, Los Cabos is the most popular resort town. Northern Baja’s Ensenada is a beloved option for parties and beaches, while Tijuana is the up-and-coming cultural hotspot.
...MoreSome of Mexico’s prettiest towns are called “Pueblos Mágicos,” or Magical Towns. Baja’s Pueblo Mágico is Tecate, a border community located at the start of Baja’s wine route. It’s easy to see the magic in Tecate, a laid-back spot with desert ranches, hiking trails, rock art, and a tree-shaded plaza.
...MoreBaja is famous for its gorgeous marine life. Snorkeling and scuba diving reveal a vibrant undersea world, with most sites located in the Gulf of California. Each year between December and April, pods of gray whales arrive in the Pacific coast’s San Ignacio Lagoon (Laguna San Ignacio), Laguna Ojo de Liebre, and Magdalena Bay (Bahía Magdalena).
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