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ABOUT BAJA MEXICO * BAJA BOOKS * BAJA CLUBS * BAJA MESSAGE BOARDS * BAJA PHOTOS * BAJA PUBLICATIONS * BAJA'S BEST WEB SITES |
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ABOUT BAJA MEXICO * BAJA BOOKS * BAJA CLUBS * BAJA MESSAGE BOARDS * BAJA PHOTOS * BAJA PUBLICATIONS * BAJA'S BEST WEB SITES |
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ABOUT BAJA MEXICOBaja is a peninsula with the soul of an island. Long described by scientists as "Mexico's Galapagos", visiting Baja is like going back in time. It is one of the most unique destination on the planet Earth, and tends to entice travelers with a spirit of adventure from all corners of the globe! A soon to be released big-screen high budget documentary about Baja "Ocean Oasis" will give the world a spectacular perspective of this unique land when it hits the San Diego Natural History Museum's new theater in 2001. Over 5 million years ago the Baja peninsula was gradually torn from the mainland by the geological forces that continually change the Earth's surface. Today Baja continues to move slowly northwest, along with the state of California, as a part of the Pacific Oceanic Plate. The rift created from this movement, the Sea of Cortez, is one of the youngest and richest seas on the planet. The political history of Baja, although not as dramatic as the geographic evolution of the peninsula, is just as interesting. When the United States offered Mexico $25 million for upper California and lower (Baja) California, Mexico decided to pass on the deal. As a result the Mexican-American war started on May 11, 1846. After 2 years of fighting, much of it located in Mulege and La Paz, a peace treaty was drafted in 1848. The U.S. now offered $15 million for the Californias. In a classic counter-offer proposal Mexico agreed to let the U.S. have upper California and New Mexico if it could keep Baja. The U.S. agreed (thank God!) and even threw in some land east of present day Mexicali so Mexico would have a connecting land-bridge to the Baja peninsula. Baja was then forgotten about by almost everyone for over 100 years. While 'northern' California experienced rapid growth which started with the 1849 gold rush, Mexico's Baja California sat hidden below the border waiting to be discovered. Statehood finally came to Baja California (northern Baja) in 1952 and finally to Baja California Sur (southern Baja) in 1974. It has only been during the last two decades that the true treasures of this forgotten peninsula have been discovered and appreciated by the general populace. Baja California, once thought of as a barren wasteland (sound like Alaska?) is now coming of age. Baja's role as an inconspicuous hideaway is quietly merging with its new image as an upscale destination. Although Baja will continue to offer those wonderfully funky off-the-pavement destinations, the upscale destinations are increasing in number at an impressive clip. A recent edition of Conde Nast's Traveler Magazine has included several Baja destinations in it's "Top 100" list. Baja garnered 3 of the top 10 resorts in Latin America, including Cabo's Las Ventanas al Paraiso as the #1 resort. Also Tecate's Rancho La Puerta has been given the honor of the #4 spa in the world! Baja's future will likely include a delicious mix of new upscale resorts cohabiting with the existing line-up of Baja's sleepy destinations. It is ironic that Baja, one of the most desolate and unpopulated regions on the planet, shares a common border with southern California, one of the most developed and highly populated areas in North America. Stretching over 800 miles south from the California border to the tip at Cabo San Lucas, the Baja Peninsula is one of the longest peninsulas in the world. It can be a 24 hour drive in a Chevy Suburban or a 2 hour flight in a Boeing 737. Either way Baja offers scenery that must be seen to be believed. The Pacific Ocean runs along the peninsula's entire west coast, while the azure Sea of Cortez hugs the east coast. Tall mountains provide a sturdy spine for Baja running from northwest to southeast along its entire length. The balance of the interior consists of plains, valleys, hills, dry lake beds, extinct volcanoes, pine forests, islands and a potpourri of other types of geography. Much of Baja's flora and fauna is unique to this secret land and adds to Baja's allure. If Baja offers anything, she offers options. And plenty of them! Drive down or fly down? Low budget or top cabin? Cool climate or tropical sun? City action or country beauty? Lazy getaway or active adventure? Inland road trip or coastal cruise? As you can see our good friend Senora Baja is very accommodating. Which leaves you with plenty of fun choices to make! As we progress into the new millennium Baja has become very 'user friendly'. English is spoken in most tourist areas and U.S. dollars are usually accepted as payment for goods and services. The food is delicious and even the water is safe to drink. The weather is usually sunny and warm and the people of Baja are also warm and gracious. Those who visit Baja usually return often and they love to share the experience with friends. Hence Baja's growth over the last 5 years has been almost as phenomenal as that of the World Wide Web! Well, almost. As spectacular as Baja is as a destination, it is the people you meet in Baja that are the hidden treasures of this unique land. Some of the best Baja memories are made from time spent with new friends met during a Baja getaway. There is still plenty of solitude to be found in Baja, and plenty of adventure. Whatever you are looking for in Baja you are likely to find it, including yourself.
BAJA BOOKS!There's nothing like a good road trip down the Baja Peninsula for the Cactus Head who needs his or her 'fix' of a Baja adventure. However, heading south at the drop of a ~sombrero~ is not always a feasible option. Pulling up a good book on Baja is the next best thing to being there, and there are indeed many wonderful books on Baja. There are many great books that specialize in certain aspects of the Baja Peninsula. Each book has been written by a Baja aficionado who has a passion for Baja, or for a particular niche on the Baja Peninsula. We encourage you to look into the books that match your particular interest, and to take a gander at other books that may not initially appear to be of strong interest. You never know when you might stumble on a book that really hits the spot! HOT TIP!!! Most of the below listed books are linked directly to Amazon.com, and can be purchased on-line immediately!
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Baja people are not generally 'club' people. They tend to be somewhat independent, and a bit outside the regular pack. You might even say some of them are a tad on the 'eccentric' side. Despite the unique characteristics of many Baja fans, it would be hard to deny all of the fun stuff that can come with belonging to one of the Baja clubs. Hence, the 'membership' in these loosely knit groups of Baja lovers tends to be on the increase. The informative newsletters alone are usually worth more than the annual dues for these clubs! Most clubs will send you a free sample newsletter, just to give you a taste. But be careful. Even though the first one may be free, it might be hard to stop there. And once you are hooked, well, join the club!
Telephone (888) 411-BAJA.
E-mail: safari2002@cox.net
Box 189, Bonita, California, 91908-0189.
Baja travel service, reservation service, telephone service, emergency service, traveler assistance, plus a regular newsletter.
Mike Overcast will do his best to help you enjoy Baja!
Telephone (800) 474-BAJA.
190 Main Street, Rio Vista, California 94571.
Baja's oldest non-profit, full service travel club, plus other fun destinations! Great folks with lots to offer the Baja fanatic.
Telephone (800) 727-BAJA.
(619) ASK-4-BAJA.
Fax (619) 275-1836.
3089 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, California, 92117.
Dedicated to providing members with the highest quality Baja services! These folks put out one GREAT newsletter!
Telephone (714) 521-2531.
(310) 391-4464.
Fax (310) 390-9917.
Post Office Box 2465, Fullerton, California, 92633.
The private pilots travel newsletter, with mucho good stuff on Baja destinations! They offer a very informative publication on flying private aircraft into Baja.
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BAJA MESSAGE BOARDSObtaining information from Baja aficionados who have recently returned from Baja can be a great way to catch up on the latest happenings on the Peninsula. Also, a growing number of gringos are making Baja their second home, and they are often happy to share current information with Baja travelers. For a list of message boards and community forums serving the Baja Peninsula drop by our main BAJA MESSAGE BAORDS page.
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BAJA PHOTOS |
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BAJA PUBLICATIONSOver the years there have been many publications that have offered an inside look at the spectacular Baja Peninsula. Many have come and gone, but some have stood the test of time, offering the Baja lover an easy way to 'visit' the Peninsula until they can head south.
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BAJA WEB SITESSure we try our best to make BAJA EXPO a one-stop Web site for all of your Baja needs, but we aren't the only ones providing fun information on this magnificent Peninsula. Rather than pretending that we have no competition, we embrace our fellow Baja aficionados, and encourage you to visit their sites. It can be fun to check them out, to enjoy the unique flavor of their pages, and to review any of the information that they have that may not be available in BAJA EXPO. You might also want to take a gander at the official Mexico Tourism Promotion web site at MEXICO-TRAVEL or you may contact them by telephone at (800) 44-MEXICO.
BAJA RESERVATIONSThere are several methods available to book a Baja adventure. There are the traditional FULL SERVICE BRICK AND MORTAR TRAVEL COMPANIES What the full travel companies lack in super-low prices they usually make up for in good service. On the other hand, if price is the primary consideration, then discount travel companies and 'bucket houses' might be worth your time. If so, just remember... these discount houses specialize in price...not service. It's best to know exactly where you want to go and when you want to get there before you even pick up the phone! Another option is to contact a 3rd party that actually SPECIALIZE IN BOOKING BAJA VACATIONS. There are several such companies that specialize strictly in Baja reservations. And if you just want to book an airline reservation directly with the airlines, we can help you with that, too! We have included the names and the phone numbers of AIRLINES THAT TRAVEL TO BAJA. Whichever method you choose to book your Baja vacation, remember the best airfares are usually available more than 21 days from the date of departure (although some airlines will offer discounted seats right before the departure date just to pick up a fare and fill a seat).
LARGE ON-LINE TRAVEL COMPANIES
DISCOUNT ON-LINE TRAVEL COMPANIES
COMPANIES SPECIALIZING IN BAJA VACATIONS
AIRLINES SERVING BAJA
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