Baja is full of diverse attractions. The obvious are fishing, golfing and the beaches. The less obvious are things like exploring the Cave Paintings, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, ATV riding, and scuba diving. These are just a few of the things that bring folks down here year after year.
One of the greatest attractions in my mind, is in fact, the trip down the peninsula. You will experience some of the most spectacular scenery. The sheer loneliness of some areas has an appeal that can only be experienced.
If you take the time to drive down, the following is a brief list of some of the attractions.
Other than the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, once you leave Tijuana on the highway, the only other attraction I would visit is La Bufadora. To see this intriguing blowhole, you will need to make a 14-mile side trip just south of Ensenada.
When you reach Catavina, it is always pleasant to spend some time admiring the unique Boulder Fields. By some freak of nature, the whole area is littered with giant boulders.
San Ignacio would be your next stop. Take the time to check out the historic church in this charming little town. Not far down the road, you will enter the lava fields of The Three Virgins or Las Tres Virgenes. These volcano mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the huge flows of lava that came from them. Very dramatic.
Santa Rosalia is next. The old copper smelting works are right next to the road. Amazing to see the skeleton of this old industrial site. You could shoot a movie here!! Very cool.
Mulege is the next spot to take a break. Enjoy the palm-shaded town and be sure to visit the historic prison and the restored mission church.
Loreto is probably a good place to spend a night. There are a lot of hotels and camping options here. You will also want to visit the mother mission and the museum. This is a tourist town well-known for fishing and is served by an international airport. There are great restaurants and shopping to be enjoyed.
Just south of Loreto, the scenery becomes even more beautiful. Puerto Escondido is a gorgeous natural harbor where there will always be yachts and sailboats moored here. Plenty of camping and RV places to enjoy as well. From here, it is a 3-to-4 hour drive through some pretty barren desert to La Paz. The agricultural town of Constitucion is where you could turn off to visit Magdalena Bay. However, this is such a vast bay and mangrove system, that it needs a special trip to appreciate. I would go there in February and see the whales calving.
The city of La Paz is the capital of Baja Sur. This is a beautiful old city with gracious people. La Paz Bay is huge and the city lies along the southern edge. Again, I would spend a few days here to really get a feel for the city. Nearby, are the islands of Esperitu Santo and Ceralvo. Beautiful diving abounds. One of the greatest attractions here is swimming with whale sharks. It’s truly a humbling experience to swim alongside the gentle giants.
Well, by now you are nearing the end of your remarkable journey. Just south of La Paz, is the small village of El Triunfo. You cannot miss the towering chimney stack. This is an old silver and gold mining town and was once one of the largest and thriving European towns on the pacific coast of the continent. The old French architecture is still evident and there is a music museum in town. Also, there is an amazing restaurant that serves the most divine Paella on a Sunday!
If your destination is the East Cape, Los Barriles is where you are going to stop next. This small village is home to many gringos and boasts several hotels and RV parks.
Onward, you will reach San Jose Del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, also known as the Los Cabos area. While staying here, the attractions are plentiful. Todos Santos is another attraction you will not want to miss. This town boasts superb restaurants and many, fine art galleries. The Hotel California is also a popular stop. Some say it was the inspiration for the famous song!
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