Baja California, Mexico is a road trip that you MUST do at least once in your life! Stunning beaches, amazing food, caring people, and so much history and culture! This article highlights the recommended route to take and must visit stops along the way.
In this article:
- Recommended Route
- Must Visit Destinations
- Ojo de Liebre
- Bahía Concepción
- La Paz
- Los Cabos
- Todos Santos
- Valle de Guadalupe
- Other Top Locations
- San Felipe
- Bahía Los angeles
- San Ignacio
- Mulegé
- Loreto
- Cabo Pulmo
- Cerritos
- Ensenada
- Tecate
- You may also like
Recommended Route
This route will take you to the most highly recommended stops in Baja and will give you a mix of beaches, cities, and deserts. You will see all the highlights of Baja California, Mexico. At a minimum, you should take at least 2 weeks to complete this route (that would be moving fairly quickly). 3-4 weeks or more would be preferable though to fully enjoy the area and have some time to rest along the journey. This route recommends you start at Mexicali and end at Tecate but you could do it in reverse or alter it to your needs.
Must Visit Destinations
Ojo de Liebre
Ojo De Liebre is a must-visit stop if you are visiting in the winter! Thousands of gray whales migrate to Baja this time of year (generally January to April). You can take a tour for about $65USD to get up close and personal with these gentle giants in the lagoon of Ojo de Liebre! You are all but guaranteed to see multiple whales and may even get close enough to touch them!
You must drive about 15km on a rough washboard road to get to the lagoon but it is so worth it! You can camp onsite for $6 per vehicle (or $12 if you want a palapa). There is also a restaurant onsite that has great shrimp tacos and guacamole!
For the best whale watching experience, go first thing in the morning (first tour is at 8am) for the calmest water and most whale activity. You can pay for your tour day of at the office or you can book online in advance.
Bahía Concepción
Another cannot miss stop! Think of the prettiest photo you have seen of Baja California and it was likely taken at Bahía Concepción! You won’t want to leave! Bahía Concepción is a bay in the Sea of Cortez with multiple stunning beaches, spectacular coastline views, and the prettiest turquoise water. You can camp right on the beach and wake up to unreal views! Kayak or paddleboard around the bay, walk across the sandbar at Playa El Requeson, buy food or goods from one of the beach vendors, and just soak in the beauty!
There are multiple beaches in Bahía Concepción that you can camp on. Playa El Coyote is our favorite! It costs $10-15USD per night to camp here which is similar to the cost of the other beaches nearby. Playa Santispac is the most accessible (great for very large rigs). Playa Los Cocos and Playa El Requeson are also stunning options.
There are not many restaurants or stores in the bahía itself. The closest town with full amenities and services is Mulegé 30-45 minutes away.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur so it is a bigger town but it still has the small town charm that is found throughout Baja! It is a good place to stop, rest, and reset for a little bit. It has all of the amenities and services you may need and also has stunning beaches!
Make sure you walk along the Malecón and check out the waterfront restaurants and shops. The historic central plaza is in front of the beautiful cathedral Nuestra Señora de La Paz. La Paz has incredible options for marine life and water-based tours. Take a boat tour to Isla Espiritu Santo (Holy Spirit Island) or go on a snorkeling or scuba trip to swim with whale sharks! The La Paz area also has gorgeous beaches. The top, and most unique, is Playa Balandra that is a huge bay of pristine turquoise water that is shallow and perfect for wading. Make sure you do the short hike to the overlook! Playa Pichilingue and Playa El Coromuel are also stunning and worth a visit if you have time.
Camping options in La Paz offer a good mix of beach camping, city camping, and RV parks.
Los Cabos
Los Cabos is often referred to in the plural sense for the mulitple capes (cabos) in the far south of Baja California Sur. Cabo San Lucas is the most popular but Cabo San Jose is in the same general area and is a little more low key. Cabo Pulmo, while not commonly part of the main “Los Cabos” is the cape we recommend the most as it is a renowned SCUBA and snorkel destination and is a cute small town! We liked it SO much more than the main Cabo areas.
This area is popular for a reason. It has beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and all the amenities! But with that comes lots of people! This area will be different than most other parts of Baja because of this. There are TONS of restaurants and shops but many are Americanized. The beaches are full of luxury resorts and beach clubs so this is not the place to go if you want to save money. El Arco is the top thing to see (take a boat tour or water taxi). We were not huge fans of Cabo San Lucas because of the people and lack of charm but it is definitely a Baja staple.
Lodging in Los Cabos is more expensive but there are tons of options. If camping, you are best to stay a little further out of town. We boondocked at a spot called “Playa Jimi” in between Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos which was stunning!
Todos Santos
Another cannot miss stop! Todos Santos is a charming coastal town about an hour north of Cabo San Lucas. It is known as one of Baja’s “Pueblo Mágicos” or magic towns, for its cultural significance and history.
Todos Santos has a rich art scene with many galleries, craft shops, and art studios around town. It is also chock full of historic charm with its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and significant sites such as Iglesia Misión de Todos Santos and the old sugar mill. Todos Santos is also a foodie destination with a wide range of dining options and upscale restaurants.
Top sights include the mission and surrounding plaza, Plaza del Beso, Cielito Lindo Market, the iconic Todos Santos letters, Hotel California (inspired by the Eagles song), and just walking the downtown streets. If you are staying in the area, also check out the small surf town of Cerritos about 15 minutes to the south.
Valle de Guadalupe
If you like wine (vino), you will definitely want to visit Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s wine country! Located just north of Ensenada about 1-2 hours from the US border so it is very accessible even if not traveling the entire Baja peninsula.
Valle de Guadalupe is home to over 100 wineries producing a wide variety of wines. It remains fairly unknown to many but is quickly gaining international attention for producing some of the best wines in Latin America. Additionally, the valley itself is stunning. Vineyards stretch across the rolling hills surrounded by the mountains and desert landscapes. There are also many incredible restaurants and outdoor activities in the area for when you have had enough wine.
To visit the valley, you can base yourself in Ensenada and take day trip(s) or you can stay in the heart of it. There are a few RV parks in the valley and several of the wineries will let you boondock in their parking lot (in exchange for purchasing wine).
Other Top Locations
San Felipe
A quiet and peaceful beach town on the Sea of Cortez. It is only a little over 2 hours from the Mexicali border making it an ideal first stop on your road trip! Take a walk down the waterfront Malecón and do some shopping from one of the many stores or sidewalk vendors.
Bahía Los Angeles
A serene coastal town with many beautiful beaches (including popular Playa Gringo), crystal clear waters, and incredible marine life. Great paddling and kayaking. We did not make it here but plan to visit on our next trip as it is highly recommended!
San Ignacio
Considered an oasis in the middle of the desert, San Ignacio is a charming town full of history. Visit its ancient mission, explore the central plaza, and admire the thousands of palm trees lining the small town. San Ignacio is also a popular place to do a gray whale tour.
Mulegé
Another charming and historic little town, Mulegé is a top seaside destination! Beware, the town itself is not big-rig friendly so it is a good idea to visit on a day trip from nearby Bahía Concepción. Visit its well preserved mission and make sure to climb the stairs out back for a beautiful view of Rio Mulegé!
Loreto
A small seaside town home to stunning Loreto Bay National Marine Park. If you have time, take a boat tour into the park to see the marine life and coast. Nearby is a popular hike “Cañón del Mesquite” where you can hike into a water filled canyon similar to The Narrows in Zion National Park.
Cabo Pulmo
A pristine marine sanctuary on the eastern coast of Baja California Sur, protected in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park. Known as “the aquarium” for its vibrant and abundant marine life. An ideal place for snorkeling and diving, which is the main thing to do in this small town. Beware of washboard roads to get there.
Cerritos
Known for its laid-back vibe, Cerritos is a surfer’s paradise thanks to its peak surfing conditions and ample surf shops and schools. If you have wanted to learn to surf, this would be a good spot to get started! It is a small town but has cute restaurants and shops as well as RV parks.
Ensenada
A larger coastal city in Northeast Baja California Norte. It has sandy beaches as well as rocky cliffs, beach resorts, hipster coffee shops and micro breweries, and more! It is also close to the wine region of Valle de Guadalupe.
Tecate
While most people only visit Tecate for the border, it is also a “Pueblo Mágico” for its history and culture. Famous for its craft beer scene and the iconic Tecate Brewing. It is also the gateway to La Rumorosa, a popular rocky hiking area in the Sierras.
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We have many other posts related to RVing in Baja including itineraries, camping and driving basics, must visit spots, and so much more! Check out our other topics below:
Essential Tips for RV Travel in Baja Mexico: What to Expect and How to Prepare
We also have a full eBook about RVing to Baja! If you are interested in having all of the needed details and recommendations in one place, check it out!
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