SAN FELIPE
The seaside community of San Felipe has the same small Mexican village feeling today that it had 10 years ago. That's not the case 10 minutes north of town, where developers are selling homes and lots for prices not too much different than home prices in the US. But since downtown San Felipe is the main focus for most visitors, it's still possible to enjoy the San Felipe of yesterday...today.
San Felipe is the "Rosarito Beach" of Baja's east coast...and more. Fun beaches, great shopping, delicious restaurants, crazy drinking establishments and more. What San Felipe has that it's west coast counterpart does not have is tons of ocean fun. The warmer waters and lack of waves in San Felipe encourage swimming, sailing, wave runners, banana boats and more. And if you haven't had a San Felipe fish taco, you haven't lived. Throw in a cold beer...."Honey, I'm home!" For more information drop by the SAN FELIPE section of Baja Expo.
SAN QUINTIN
San Quintin is a great destination for fisher-people (politically correct term) and boaters. Located about 4 hours south of the US / Mexican border below Tijuana, several bayfront hotels offer the perfect place to set up camp and explore the two large bays of San Quintin.
Other areas of interest nearby include the dry lake bed north of the bay, the beautiful empty beaches west of the bay, and the sand dunes south of the bay. Even more spectacular beaches await those who don't mind driving even further south another 15 to 20 minutes. For more information drop by the SAN QUINTIN section of Baja Expo.
PUERTECITOS
Puertecitos is...well....interesting. It is not a tourist town, and there really aren't too many locals that live there full time. There are a fair amount of second homes that sit empty most of the year, many of them designed and decorated by what must have been a population of intoxicated individuals. The road from San Felipe is 2/3 new pavement and 1/3 hang-on-to-your-hat.
This sleepy town is the gateway to Gonzaga Bay, Coco's Corner and points south, but the town itself does have much to offer. There are the nice beaches just northeast of town, the natural hot springs at the tide line southeast of town, and a beautiful harbor that works well for boaters at high tide. The airstip in the center of town is short and sketchy, but Carlos Fiesta did manage to land there safely when running low on fuel on a trip back to San Francisquito. For more information drop by the PUERTECITOS section of Baja Expo.
MELING RANCH
Located about a 25 minute drive inland from Baja Highway One, north of San Quintin, Meling Ranch is a classic piece of Baja history that cannot be matched anywhere else on the Baja Peninsula. Wide open spaces, graceful accommodations, and a staff that has the goal of making your trip into the Baja foothills as enjoyable as possible. This is the Baja that is becoming increasingly harder to find, and worth evey minute it takes to get there.
The casita rooms at Meling ranch are large and cozy. Fireplaces help keep the chill off on winter nights, and the family style dining hall is a great place to start the day with a hearty breakfast with friends old and new. Meling Ranch is a great place to spend some time while on the way up to the pine trees and the Observatory at the top of the mountain. Bring a spare tire.
ENSENADA
Yes, Ensenada can be done as a one day trip from the border, but it's almost a shame to cram that much city into just one day. Two days in Ensenada with one fun filled evening is perfect. Located 70 miles south of the border on the Pacific Ocean, Ensenada is the second largest west coast city in Baja California. Although it is a real Mexican city with hundreds of thousands of local citizens, Ensenada offers plenty for visitors with an agenda for fun.
Some of the fun thigs to do in Ensenada include shopping the dozens of shops on Avenida Lopez Mateos, dining and drinking at the many quaint restaurants and bars (including famous Hussong's Cantina), checking out the daily catch at the oceanfront fish market, and walking along the harborfront Malecon at the Marina. For more information drop by the ENSENADA section of Baja Expo.
EL ROSARIO
To old time Baja fans El Rosario is where the tourist Baja ends and the real Baja starts. This is where the blacktop of Baja Highway One used to come to an abrupt end, and where the dirt road snaked south and east into the outback of unexplored Baja. Even though the blacktop now continues on south of El Rosario all the way to Cabo San Lucas, tourism south of this point slows to a trickle.
El Rosario is the last stop for services for those heading into the wild open spaces of the Peninsula. Gasoline, supplies, and even a good warm meal are cherished commodities in these parts, and become rare as one heads south of town. The wild coastline of Punta Baja is due west of town, and the spectacular cactus gardens and boulder fields an hour south of El Rosario are someof Baja's most unique treasures. Mama Espinozas is a must stop for a tasty meal and a great way to experience a true Baja landmark. For more information drop by the EL ROSARIO section of Baja Expo.
GUADALUPE CANYON HOT SPRINGS
Most people who cross the border from Calexico to Mexicali think that the only viable destination of interest further south is San Felipe. And for the most part that might be true...except for the spectacular hot springs of Guadalupe Canyon.
Sitting at the base of the Sierra de Juarez mountains, the canyons of Guadalpe Canyon provide an avenue of escape for rain and snow waters from the top of the ridge. As these waters near Guadalupe Canyom they form waterfalls and pools in the granite canyons near the bottom of the mountain range. Some of the waters are diverted to the north side of the canyon where the cool river water is mixed wtih hot springs waters in small manmade pools. The family that runs the Springs has a small store and coleects a small fee for the use of the facilities. For more information drop by the web site of GUADALUPE CANYON.
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BAJA TWO DAY DRIVING DESTINATIONS
Practically speaking most Baja two day trips are drive down trips. Seasoned Baja adventurers have learned that a Friday-after-work departure can add a lot of value to a two day Baja getaway! And on the last day of the mini-vacation do yourself a favor...don't leave Baja any sooner that you have to. You'll miss the better part of the second day, hit more traffic on the way home, and work will still be waiting for you the next day either way. Milk it as long as you can!
Guadalupe Canyon is one of the fun places to visit in Baja on a two day trip to Baja!