Planning the best Baja California Road Trip

We just spent 2 months traveling and exploring the Baja California peninsula from North to South! It was such an epic area to explore with endless beaches, tacos, desert sunsets and more. I will truly miss our time in Baja because it was so vanlife friendly and we met some amazing people. When I was planning the trip I was overwhelmed by how much you can do in Baja. The list below is our favorite things to do in Baja Mexico. Hopefully you can add some of these activities to your Baja peninsula Bucketlist!

Check out our Interactive Baja California Map for the best things to do in Baja California

Bahía Concepción

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What is the Baja Peninsula

The Baja California Peninsula is made up of two Mexican states – Baja California and Baja California Sur (B.C.S). The total distance from the USA border to the southern tip is close to 2,000 kms. While there is pretty much one main road that runs north to south, a lot of the best spots can be found on the detours from the main highway. Some of the popular cities in Baja California include Ensenada, Loreto, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, and San Jose del Cabo.

What do you need to travel to Baja California?

Valid Passport – US citizens do not require a visa (click here for Mexico visa requirements)
Mexican Auto Insurance – we signed up super easy with Baja Bound.
Planning to take the ferry to mainland? – Check out our post about crossing the Mexico border and obtaining the necessary TIP and FMM
Travel Insurance is also important. Heymondo is my go-to!
Download iOverlander

5 Things I never Travel Without

Travel Insurance – Heymondo has been my go-to for the last few years. I love how reasonable the prices are and how easy it is to sign up. They also include coverage of a bunch of adventurous activities! Click here for 5% off your policy.
Travel Credit Cards – Having a good travel credit card is a game changer! Not only do you get the benefit of zero transaction fees, but these cards provide other benefits such as, free Priority Pass, free TSA Pre-check/Global Entry, annual travel credits, great point earnings and travel partners. My two favorite cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X.
Kindle – I love reading and Kindle makes it so easy to download new books on the go!
Osprey Backpack – whether I’m hiking in Patagonia or backpacking Europe, Osprey offers versatile backpacks for any type of travel
AirPods – These are a total game changer for traveling. I love the noise cancelling capability because it makes airplanes silent and blocks out unwanted noise. They are so much easier to wear around than normal headphones.

Cabo San Lucas

Do I need 4×4 to travel in Baja California?

This is a big question that we had before starting our trip! It really depends what your goals are and how far off the beaten path you can get. In general, if you have the ability to use a 4×4 vehicle I would definitely encourage it. That being said, we accomplished 95% of the things we wanted to do in our 1990 GMC van that is 2wd. The biggest benefits in 4×4 is handling the rough roads much easier and being able to access some really remote and beautiful beaches – seven sisters, Agua verde, Scorpion Bay etc. All the main destinations are easily accessible with 2wd. Overall I would say it is better to have a 4×4 in Baja California.

Is Baja California Safe?

We felt 100% safe throughout our whole two months in Baja. That being said, it is important to take measures for your safety. Some of our main tips are:

Know where you are heading
Don’t drive at night (pot holes and animals)
Always expect things to take longer
Let people know where you are heading
Carry a satellite device (ie Garmin InReach) to check in while you are remote
Check iOverlander app for cautions and updates about campsites and areas

Cerritos Beach

41 of the best things to do in Baja California

This list is a good combo of activities, locations, places to eat and things to do in the Baja California Peninsula. You can find all these locations on our Google Map of Baja California

Things to do in Baja California Norte:

1. Eat a Torta at K38 Taco Surf – I still haven’t found a torta that I like better than the ones at Taco Surf. It is the perfect stop on your way south or after a big surf at K38. The food is cheap and they do fabulous Al pastor and Asada.

2. Surf and stay at Las Gaviotas – The Las Gaviotas community is the perfect place to splurge a little. The gated community has plenty of Airbnbs to choose from and you get access to an awesome wave. There is also a communal beach, pool, jacuzzi and tennis court. It has been a favorite destination since childhood.

3. Camp at El Mirador La Bufadora – Just south of Ensenada is the popular La Bufadora. While we were not too impressed with the tourist trap of La Bufadora, we absolutely loved our campsite up on the mirador. The camping is pretty primitive but you feel like you’re on the edge of the world and the views are incredible from every angle. We stayed at El Mirador Camping.

4. Wine taste in Valle de Guadalupe – The Valle de Guadalupe is an up and coming wine region dubbed the Napa of Baja. There are hundreds of wineries and restaurants in the area so it is a cool place to check out. We were a little shocked at how expensive everything was – expect US prices or more. The camping at Glamping Airstreams was great and we liked the proximity to a few of the best restaurants and wineries. We highly recommend a meal at La Cocina Doña Esthela.

San Quintin

5. Hike volcanos in San Quintin – I feel like this is a really underestimated area of Baja, but it is so beautiful. We had stormy weather and it was still incredible. The whole coast is dotted by volcanos and you can hike up a couple of them!

6. Eat the freshest oysters and ceviche at La Chorrera – we camped at Campo Don Alvaro which has 2 awesome seafood restaurants overlooking the ocean. The seafood was so fresh and really cheap! Oysters are popular in the area as well.

7. Explore the giant cacti in Cataviña – as you cross from the pacific coast to the sea of Cortez you will likely pass through Cataviña. There are cacti all over Baja but in this particular area they are so dense and massive! We only stopped for some photos and a quick lunch at Cafe Esmeralda, but it is totally possible to camp amongst the giant cacti and see the incredible stars at night.

8. Camp at Campo Archeon in Bahia de los Angeles – This was one of our favorite established campsites in Baja California. There is a great social vibe, hot showers and even a cafe serving up delish food and large margaritas! You get to camp right on the shores of Bahía de los Angeles.

9. Spend the day at playa la gringa – this is a beautiful beach just outside of Bahía de los Angeles. The turquoise water is refreshing for a swim or paddle board. You can also camp on this beach for free.

10. Go off roading to Seven Sisters – This is a great surf destination and comprises seven point breaks. It is a popular spot from Nov-April when the north swells are hitting. We had an epic time surfing and camping at El Cardon. Be warned that the road out here is bumpy and rough. The 40 kms took their toll on our older van.

El Cardon

Things to do in Baja California Sur

11. Kiss the Grey Whales in Guerrero Negro – by far the best thing we did in Baja! Looking a whale in the eye a getting to touch them is unbelievable. They Grey Whales migrate to the lagoons in southern Baja to have their babies. Ojo del Liebre lagoon is accessible from Guerrero Negro and is the top spot to see the Grey Whales. I can totally recommend Mario’s tours and you can even camp on site.

12. Sample the Margaritas in the cute town of San Ignacio – We loved the cute little oasis town of San Ignacio. All of a sudden you leave the desert and are in a lush, tropical oasis. The campsites are great here (we loved Paraíso Missional) and the town square is really quant. There are a few restaurants around the square that are perfect to enjoy a margarita at.

13.Eat the best tacos in Mulege at Asadero Danny – top taco spot in all of Baja. They do fish, shrimp, asada and more and their fresh salsas are fantastic. Mulege is another cute little town to walk around as well.

14. Paddle board to Isla el Coyote – The paddle boarding options in Bahia Concepción are endless. One of my top favorite things to do in Baja Californa was paddle to the Isla el Coyote. You can reach this island from Playa el Coyote or Playa Los Cocos. On the backside of the island is a perfect beach to relax before the paddle back.

15. Camp on the beaches of Bahia Concepcion – Our favorite spots to camp in Bahia Concepción were Playa Los Cocos, Playa El Coyote, and Playa Requesson. We loved waking up every more to glassy water and beautiful reflections. The beaches are the perfect spot to meet other travelers and the locals come by everyday selling delicious empanadas, tamales, ceviche and more!

16. Enjoy a yummy brunch at Cafe Nomadico – This cafe had recently opened when we visited and it is so cute. The food was so delicious and the cafe is the perfect spot to stop in for some wifi since there is no service in Bahia Concepción.

17. Explore the colorful town of Loreto – This town is a popular tourist spot for whale watching, history and food. We loved the colorful town and felt overwhelmed by all of the food options. Our campsite was right in the center at Romanita RV Park which made exploring the town so easy.

18. Eat amazing soul food at Alma del Sur – You don’t come across much southern food in Baja so this restaurant was a great option to take a break from all the tacos. The portions are massive and they have everything from chicken pot pie to full racks of ribs. It was delicious. They are also famous for the beignets.

19. Surf incredible waves at Scorpion Bay – This wave is a legendary right point break and draws surfers from all over the world. It’s a bit off the beaten path but if you time the right swell you will definitely score!

20. Visit playa Balandra – This is a postcard worthy beach just outside of La Paz. The colors of the water are incredible and its the perfect place to paddle board, cool off or explore the coastline. If you visit during low tide you can walk along the coast to playa Shiro which we thought was the best section. Take note that there are time slots for visiting this beach and you can either enter in the morning shift or afternoon shift. Plan accordingly in busy season because it might reach capacity.

21. Watch the sunset a playa Tecolote – We were told that playa Tecolote has some of the best sunsets in Baja and when we arrived it did not disappoint. It is one of the only places on the Sea of Cortez that you feel like you can watch the sunset in the west. The clouds and colors in the sky are beautiful and you can camp for free right on the beach.

Hiking from Playa Tecolote to Playa Balandra

22. Hike from playa tecolote to playa balandra – This was a super fun hike that we did from our campsite on playa tecolote to playa balandra. We walked up the mountain to the northern side of the beach and joined the trail. After a quick steep hill climb the trail levels out and we were able to walk past some stunning coves. As we made our way around we climbed down the hill onto playa Shiro and walked along the rocky coastline until we made it to Playa Balandra. This hike is viewable on All Trails.

23. Enjoy rooftop cocktails at Harker Board club, La Paz – The perfect spot to watch the sunset and enjoy a great cocktail. I had the best Piña Colada of my life at Harker Board Club.

24. Walk the Malecon in La Paz – The La Paz malecon is a really beautiful part of the city. It stretches along the turquoise shoreline and is a great place to go for a walk, try some street food or stop into one of the many restaurants. When we visited there was a massive carnival going on for the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

25. Do yoga and enjoy brunch in Todos Santos – The town of Todos Santos is very focused on wellness, art and the beach. Cuatro Vientos is a studio providing yoga and other wellness classes daily and right across the street is an amazing cafe called La Esquina. I had the best breakfast burrito of my life here.

26. Surf at Playa Cerritos – Surf schools line the beach in Cerritos and it is a popular spot to take a lesson or catch some great waves as an experienced surfer. The beach stretches as far as the eye can see, and I loved watching the sunset here.

27. Eat a burrito at Baja Burritos Cerritos – the perfect post surf meal! These burritos are seriously delicious. It is the flaky, fresh tortilla and fresh ingredients that make it so delicious.

28. Party in Cabo San Lucas – This seaside town is the hub for cruise ships, bachelorette parties and more. There are a lot of fun restaurants, bars and clubs to party the weekend away. It is definitely fun for a couple nights, but be prepared for it to feel very touristy and a little tacky.

29. Hike Mt. Solamar – We loved this hike overlooking Cabo San Lucas. Everyday (except Sunday) there is a local who leads a hike up to Mt. Solamar at 8 am. You will be joined by a dozen rescue dogs and some new hiking friends as you climb to the top. It is a pretty short hike, but be prepared because it is steep and in sections you are scrambling over rocks. There is no shade so bring water and a lot of sunscreen.

Mt. Solomar

30. Go on a Catamaran booze cruise in Cabo – This was one of my favorite activities. I love a good booze cruise and the Catamaran cruise with EcoCat did not disappoint. We loved the free flow drinks and the opportunity to see the beautiful coastline from the Catamaran

31. Snorkel at Playa Palmilla – One of my favorite spots to snorkel was just off the beach at Playa Palmilla. This is a popular little beach for locals and tourists just outside of San Jose del Cabo. The reef just off the shore is filled with so many colorful fish and coral. I loved it!

32. Surf at playa Costa Azul – Right in front of the Cabo Surf Hotel is 3-4 super fun surf breaks. Depending on your skill level and type of board you can choose the best wave for your needs. We loved surfing “The Rock,” but Old Man’s and Zippers also looked fun. There are places on the beach to rent surfboards and take lessons.

33. Eat the best Al Pastor at El Fogon Taqueria – We ate here 5 times while we were in the Cabo area. This is a local establishment that is always busy. They are quick and attentive in getting their food served. I loved the Al Pastor here and my favorite item was the Quesoburro.

34. Visit the San Jose del Cabo art walk – Every Thursday there is a big art walk/street fair in the center of San Jose del Cabo. A bunch of local artisans set up booths in the main plaza to sell craft goods and food. The restaurants and shops around are also very involved. Pro tip – buy a Margarita/beer to go so you can walk around and check out all the goods while you drink.

35. Surf the East Cape – Shipwrecks, La Fortuna, Nine Palms – The warm water and fun waves made this our favorite stop! Perfect right hand point breaks and untouched landscape make for the best surfing campsites.

36. Snorkel in Cabo Pulmo – This is the most popular place to snorkel/dive in Baja California. There are plenty of dive shops and tour operators to choose from. The beaches are beautiful and there is a lot of diverse sea life.

37. Hike to the secret beach at Playa el Arbolito – If you don’t feel like paying for a snorkel tour, this is the best place to get your fill! Here you can snorkel right from the beach. The snorkel trail is massive and allows you to explore the whole coastline. I loved the unique coral found here and abundance of fish. You can even hike along the coast to various secluded little beaches.

38. Swim the waterfall at Canon de la Zorra via Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo – Tired of the salt water? Cañon de la Zorra is the dessert oasis that you need to check out. The waterfalls and swimming holes in this area are perfect a day trip from Cabo.

39. Unwind in the hot springs of Santa Rita – The natural hot springs at Santa Rita are a great place to go if you are in need of some relaxation. The heat deterred us from visiting here ourselves but we heard a bunch of great things and we know the landscape is beautiful since it is just up the road from Sol de Mayo.

40. Watch the kite boarders in La Ventana – this is a huge destination for kite boarders and any spot involving wind. La Ventana is a cute little town catering to all the adventure seekers that visit to take advantage of the consistent winds in the area.

41. Take the Ferry to Mainland – Once your are done with Baja, you can take the ferry to the mainland to continue the Mexico overland adventure!

Cañon de la Zorra

Baja California Trip Summary

We hope this comprehensive list helps you plan your Baja California roadtrip! We spent 2 months exploring and easily could have done more. I would recommend at minimum 3 weeks to properly experience Baja and make the lengthy drive worth it. If you have any questions send us a DM on Instagram @allieschuck – we’d love to hear from you.

If you’ve explored Baja California before, did I miss anything?