for information click the following:
The Land - The Road - The People
Tours and Individual Travel, read on...
Escorted Tour
Click on this link for details on our escorted whale watching tours in Baja...Whale Watching California Gray
Individual Travel in Baja
Baja Sur, Fly & Drive
Basic Program
Day 1: Arrival with transfer to auto rental office. Overnight La Concha Beach Resort.
Day 2: Free day to explore Cabo San Lucas or other activities.
Day 3: Free day.
Day 4: Return auto to rental office and transfer to airport.
- Price per person in USD
$340 (2 PAX double occupancy)
$263 (3 PAX triple occupancy)
$ 56 (child under 11)
$484 (single; 2 min.)
Includes: 3 days auto rental economy class (Zoro or equivalent) with unlimited mileage, insurance and tax included: 3 nights accommodations La Concha Beach Resort (maximum per room 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children); American breakfast each day.
Not included: meals, tips, gasoline or personal expenses.
(800) 884-3107 or
email us for information
Baja Explorer
Day 1: Arrival with transfer to auto rental office. Overnight La Concha Beach Resort.
Day 2: Free day for travel to Cabo San Lucas or other activities.
Day 3: Travel day to Loreto. During whale watching season we recommend a stop at Lopez Mateos. Overnight Hotel Oasis.
Day 4: Travel day to San Ignacio. We recommend allowing time for a visit in Mulege and on the return segment a stop a Santa Rosalia. Overnight Hotel La Pinta San Ignacio.
Day 5: Excursion to Laguna San Ignacio and whale watching at one of Baja's best locations including transport or other times of year excursion to the UNESCO cave painting of Sierra Santa Marta. Rental can not allowed to travel off pavement.
Day 6: Travel day to return to Loreto (visit to Santa Rosalia). Overnight Hotel Oasis.
Day 7: Morning boat tour to Isla Coronado. Plan on 2:00PM departure from Loreto for return to La Paz. Overnight La Concha Beach Resort.
Day 8: Return auto to rental office and transfer to airport.
- Price per person in USD
$835 (2 PAX double occupancy)
$695 (3 PAX triple occupancy)
$185 (child under 11)
$1100 (single; 2 min.)
Includes: 7 days auto economic class (Zoro or equivalent) with unlimited mileage, insurance and tax included; 7 nights accommodation (maximum per room 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children); American breakfast each day; whale watching excursion to Laguna San Ignacio or non-whale watching season excursion to cave paintings of Sierra Santa Marta; boat tour to Isla Coronado (Loreto); taxes;
Not included: meals; tips; gasoline; or personal expenses.
(800) 884-3107 or
email us for information
Upgrade in auto class (in addition to total package cost):
Standard Class (Sentra/Golf): $43USD per day
Executive Class (Stratus/Jetta): $56USD per day
Suburban: $144USD per day
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(800) 884-3107 or
email us for information
In an effort to let our guests get the most of their Baja California adventure, Native Trails has compiled the following. Included is information about the region and its people. We hope this material helps you get to know the area and enjoy it that much more.
The Land of Contrast
Say "Baja" and most times people think of the Baja 500, with its dune buggies racing across the forbidding moonscape surface of a desert peninsula called Baja California. But in reality Baja California is a treasure trove of unique flora and fauna and a stark natural beauty that surprises and delights first time visitors and draws many back year after year.
Millions of years ago this land was still connected to the Mexico mainland. Torn away in a northwest direction, it is divided from the rest of Mexico by the San Andrea fault. As the land mass moved slowly away from the North American Plate, basins formed, allowing the formation of the Sea of Cortez. Only the equally powerful forces of the Colorado River and the sediment carried from the Grand Canyon could stop the northward advancement of the Sea of Cortez. Before its shores were forced back south, the sea had reached as far north as present day Palm Springs.
Ancient sea beds West of Mexicali were elevated to above sea level exposing the fertile sediment deposited by prehistoric rivers, cut off from their source by the Sea of Cortez over 15 million years ago. This land now provides rich farming in Northern Baja's Valle de Mexicali and along the costal plains of Northwest and Southwest Baja.
As the peninsula tipped to the west about 5 million year ago, the distinctive fault block mountains of the peninsula's center line were formed. Included in these are the mountains of the Sierra de San Francisco, where some of the best of Baja's UNESCO protected Cave Paintings can be found.
Not included in these fault block mountains is the Sierra de la Laguna, in the southern tip between La Paz and Los Cabos. This is a distinctly different geologic formation and a jewel of ecological diversity. Be prepared though, access to this and many areas of the Baja Sierras is difficult and requires detailed planning.
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The Road
Though the Northern area of Baja California from Mexicali to Tecate and Tijuana to Ensanada has been accessible for years, most of the peninsula has remained a remote mystery up until the completion of Highway 1 in 1973. Even so, much of this insolated land remains far removed from the thin ribbon of black top known as the Tans-Peninsula Highway. It is this road I focus on, from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas and that which is in between on this 1704 km (1059 mile) journey. Through a brief description of the route we cover the major points of interest from North to South.
Starting point, San Diego, Southern California's most charming city. With all its attractions like the world class San Diego Zoo, beautiful garden parks, Sea World and much more, San Diego is a destination in and of itself. A short drive to the border city of Tijuana, a colorful tourist stop and Baja California's largest city at over a million inhabitants.
Tijuana on the surface is a basic border city offering trinket souvenirs and bargains on food, drink and certain items made in Mexico. And so it may have been in the beginning for this metropolis but today Tijuana is the economic center of Baja. With major manufacturing facilities, banking and agricultural exportation, this city has mushroomed. As entry point to Mexico for Baja travel, you can also find good and inexpensive accommodations here compared to the prices for rooms in and around San Diego.
Generally the Highway is in good condition but always maintain your vigil for the unexpected. Many places in the mountain areas the road can be curvy and all along the route it is mostly narrow. Much area is free range so cattle and horses graze freely along the highway not to mention deer and other nocturnal wildlife. This and road fatigue are probably your worst driving enemies. Limiting your travel to daylight hours and making frequent stops are your best allies. As far as stops, the real problem will be to limit your stops because of all the great photo ops along the way.
From Tijuana the journey begins south on Highway 1 with the scenic coastal vistas of the Pacific as you near Ensanada. Just past this thriving community is La Bufadora, a natural blow hole where tidal effects cause a geyser to shoot high into the air and by the way soak anyone standing near. This can be quite a sight to behold but the force of the geyser and subsequent show depends on the wave action. Hope that the surf's up when you visit.
Crossing the fertile fields of this agricultural region, the road begins to head inland toward an interesting stop, Cataviña. This hidden jewel is a microcosm of Baja with examples of cave paintings, an old abandoned mission off a ways in the desert, the giant boulders all around, remote ranches and of course the whimsical cactus called Cirio or Boojam Tree, the predominant plant in this region of Baja. Cataviña is worth a stop of at least one night but a couple of days here would be full of discovery.
Continuing down the Peninsula we reach a T-intersection with the road to Bahia de Los Angeles. The road to the bay can be a challenge, many times in desperate need of repair but a slow and watchful pace will get you to this next jewel in the Baja crown of natural beauty. As you approach the Sea of Cortez, suddenly it appears in front as you round a bend and your instinct is to stop as soon as possible to further enjoy this visual splendor. Don't worry, there is a turn off with viewing area nearby. Little islands formed by small peaks of volcanic rock dot the bay of calm clear turquoise blue water. Driving into the town there are a few options insofar as accommodations. A couple of motels and campground RV parks are available but the drive to get here deserves a little time spent here. Sea kayaking and sports fishing are among the activities.
Connecting back to Highway 1, south to Guerrero Negro. Best know for two things, California Gray Whales and salt. The Laguna de ojo Liebre is one of the favorite bays that the Grays use for calving and breeding and one of the whale watchers favorite spots too from January to March. The higher salt concentration of the bay gives these massive mammals a little more buoyancy which is welcomed by the whale and also attracted salt entrepreneurs. It seems some of the surrounding land around the bay is below sea level and as a result water gets trapped in these basins ("vasos" in Spanish). With the hot dry air and lack of rain in the region, the basins dry up and large deposits of salt remain. This natural event was taken a step further first by American entrepreneurs. Today Exportadora de Sal S. A. (ESSA) is a major producer of the world's salt with a vast system of dykes and evaporation ponds where the salt is harvested by the tens of thousands of tons.
From this Pacific bay the road turns Eastward back toward the Sea of Cortez. Half way there a little off the Highway is the "oasis" town of San Ignacio. Surrounded by thousands of date palm trees, this charming town favors a slower pace of life. An inviting Plaza shaded by huge Indio Trees is boarded on the West side by the old mission still used today for local services. From San Ignacio there are two main attractions, whale watching at the Laguna de San Ignacio (Jan. - Mar.) and exploring the cave paintings in the Sierra San Francisco and Santa Marta. Any of these options requires a little preparation and reservations are recommended.
East of San Ignacio lays the volcano Tres Virgines. Last erupted in the 1700's, its lava flows are easily seen as you travel along this way. Though the sites can be interesting, don't try to drive and sight see at the same time here. This section of travel is tricky with sharp curves and narrow lanes so stay focused. There are areas where you can pull off the roadway but also watch for soft shoulders. Descending to the Sea of Cortez you come along the city of Santa Rosalia.
Established as a mining community in the 1800's by French interest, Santa Rosalia now is a commercial center for the people of the surrounding area. Here you find markets, banks, restaurants, a library, the ferry to Guaymas on the mainland, interesting 19th century French colonial architecture and the most unique metal church designed by Gustav Eiffel. Don't forget a mandatory stop at the famous bakery where you can actually see the 19th century ovens still in operation.
Next stop on this southward drive is Mulege. A fertile dot along the coastline of the Sea of Cortez, the land is very productive as a result of the River Mulege. From near the mission located on a hilltop there is a view point offering a spectacular view of the river cutting through a forest of date palm trees. Many other fruits and vegetables are also grown here.
Not far south following the highway is the pristine waterway, Bahia de Concepcion. Baja's longest bay and probably its most lovely, the bay is a National Marine Preserve protected from commercial fishing and reportedly the cleanest bay in the world. The abundance of marine life is a divers delight along with wind surfing, sea kayaking and private sports fishing are among the activities here.
Loreto is our next stop; this small city is of particular interest. This was the first established European settlement in all California (Baja and Upper) and as such its mission, Our Lady of Loreto, is the first and oldest of the California missions. A favorite stop for sports fishermen even before the highway came through, it also offers other attractions for the non-fishermen. Nearby in the Sierra de la Gigante is Baja's second oldest mission, San Javier. This mission is probably the most splendid of the mission surviving in Baja and the journey to get there is not that difficult and quite scenic. Also a must for sea and beach enthusiasts is a boat trip to the island of Coronado. Snorkel with the local sea lions then enjoy some time on the photo perfect beach with the crystal clear water fading from light turquoise to dark blue as it meets the sky in the horizon.
Prying yourself from this quite example of what Baja life was like before the highway we now travel to an example of Baja life after the highway, the Capital of Baja Sur, La Paz. Though a large city of over 500,000 people, it has kept a tranquil atmosphere about it. This is the perfect stop for those who don't need the fast life of the Cabos. Here stroll along the enjoyable Malecon along the bay where young parents bring the family to play and gather for social time. And just a few kilometers out of town are excellent beaches. This city really lives up to its name, La Paz or "the peace".
But if its action you want, continue the last 160 km. to Cabo San Lucas. Along the way you might want to stop at the colonial town of Todos Santos. This town began as a sugar processing center in the late 1700's but when the main spring dried up in 1950, the town was almost deserted. In 1980 the spring came back to life and with it a rebirth of this town. Though still active agriculturally it also has attracted a host of artist and galleries.
The last 100 km. to Cabo give spectacular landscapes of the rugged desert as it meets with the mighty waves of the Pacific. In Cabo San Lucas, aka Cabo, are a variety of shops, restaurants and hotels geared for the high tourist traffic (and their money). Don't forget Lands End, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez at the very tip of the peninsula. Boat tours leave with great frequency from the Cabo marina. The region, along the "Corridor" to San Jose de Cabo offers beautiful hotels and world class golf courses, did I mention expensive. San Jose de Cabo offers some better prices and quieter surroundings but also limited in options of restaurants.
If your journey takes you back to La Paz, the loop on the eastern side takes you by the small colonial mining communities of San Antonio and El Triunfo. These towns serve as good rest stops and along the way enjoy some interesting changes in vegetation and terrain, here on the eastern slopes of the Sierra de la Laguna, "Islands in the Sky".
If you make this journey by ground, Congratulations, you just made the Baja 1700K Club! It's truly a once in a lifetime adventure.
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The People
The people that now inhabit the peninsula are not by any means the original inhabitants. There maybe some mixed blood with some original roots during the colonial period but none of these indigenous cultures survived. Evidence of Baja's occupation comes in the form of mysterious Cave Paintings. Dating back from A.D. 500 to 1500, they are so important to human history that many sites have UNESCO recognition and INAH protection. When the Spanish first arrived in the region and asked the indigenous about these paintings they responded with legends of a giant race that painted the caves in a time before their ancestors.
Today's population is a mixed bag of people from many places near and far with many backgrounds. Many are recent immigrants from the mainland within the last 30 years since the completion of the trans peninsula highway. Some families along the coast and some interior towns date back to mining days of the 1700's or to the revolution days of the 1910's when a wave of people came to escape the turmoil of the mainland. Many stayed and made a living fishing and mining this formidable land. Many come now to find new opportunities in the frontiers from Tijuana to Cabo.
Now that a generation has past, many young people in Baja are true natives to this land. Yet the separatist’s spirit lives strong in these people. Separated by the Sea of Cortez, many here have an independent attitude of Baja first then Mexico. The entire peninsula being a "free zone" may have something to do with this spirit. Anyone, even citizens, coming from Baja have to go through customs when traveling to the mainland. This, some friends tell me, adds to their felling of being apart from the rest of the country. What ever the reason, you're bound to find many colorful people with interesting histories along your travels through the Baja Peninsula.
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Check out the weather along the Baja Peninsula below:
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Tijuana, Mexico |
 | Loreto, Mexico |
 | La Paz City, Mexico |