- Travel + Leisure recommends Baja California as an up-and-coming travel destination.
- The peninsula offers diverse landscapes, from beaches and mountains to deserts and vineyards.
- Baja California is easily accessible with short flights from US cities like Phoenix.
The Mexican peninsula of Baja California was named by Travel + Leisure as one of 27 under-the-radar places that must be visited before they skyrocket in popularity.
Located in the Northwest region of Mexico, neighbor to the U.S. state of California and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to its west and the Sea of Cortez to its east, Baja California features a wide range of breathtaking landscapes from beaches to vineyards, deserts and mountains.
Besides the views, Baja California is a paradise for outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, swimming and snorkeling — as well as any foodie with a seafood fixation.
“The Baja California peninsula in Mexico has activities for all travelers, including the vineyards of Valle de Guadalupe, the whale mating grounds of Laguna San Ignacio, and magical towns like La Paz, Todos Santos, and Loreto,” Travel + Leisure travel advisor and Journey Mexico founder Zachary Rabinor wrote for the magazine’s ranking. “The exceptional wines and cuisine of the north are a closely-held secret among southern Californians, but new luxury hotels like Banyan Tree are drawing attention.”
The average flight from Phoenix to some of the most popular destinations in Baja California ranges from one to two hours. Here’s why you might want to consider booking that flight soon.
Is Baja California worth going to?
Baja California caters to travelers craving adventure, relaxation, exploration and good cuisine.
According to High Tide Los Cabos Sea Expeditions, a Cabo-based tourism agency recognized with a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2024, some highlights from the peninsula include “magical beach escapes” varying from the very Cabo San Lucas beaches to La Paz. Those are the same locations that High Tide described as any surfer’s paradise. And of course, there are the peninsula’s stunning waterfalls and lagoons.
But there’s more than tropical scenery. Baja California also features a mountainous desert landscape for those who lean towards hikes and other adventurous getaways.
The Baja California peninsula has a favorable climate for growing an array of produce, including grapes. You may want to consider a trip to one of Valle de Guadalupe’s wineries in North Baja California to delight your taste buds with authentic local Baja Californian wine.
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If you’re bringing the kids along, activities involving the appreciation of marine life in the peninsula might be your go-to. The Sea of Cortez, nicknamed “The World’s Aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, shelters a variety of marine wildlife from sea lions to whale sharks and turtles.
And if the vast number of recreational activities isn’t enough, the culinary scene at Baja California boasts a diversity of seafood-inspired cuisine. Expect dishes prepared with freshly caught fish from the Pacific Ocean or Sea of Cortez.
Best destinations and activities in Baja California
These are some of the spots and activities to consider next time you visit the Baja California peninsula, according to Tripadvisor:
- El Arco de Cabo San Lucas: Perfect spot for boat tours to appreciate Cabo’s iconic rock formations and marine life.
- Balandra Beach: Features crystal-clear waters and scenic hiking trails.
- La Bufadora: A natural marine geyser located about 17 miles south of Ensenada that shoots water up to 100 feet. The area is surrounded by shops and stands.
- Bahia de Loreto National Park: Features a rich ocean biodiversity, making it the perfect spot for snorkeling or scuba diving. Tours are also available.
- Bahia Concepcion: A sheltered bay ideal for fishing, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.
- Lovers Beach: “Playa de los Amantes” in Spanish, is a hidden gem that can only be accessed using a water taxi. This is a great destination for a day of swimming or snorkeling.
- Divorce Beach: Ironically enough, this beach is connected by an arch to its counterpart, Lovers Beach, and it’s the ideal place for relaxing while sunbathing.
- Wild Canyon Adventures: This is a Cabo-based tour operator that offers a range of outdoor activities across land, sea and sky.
- Monte Xanic Bodega Vinicola: One of the multiple vineyards in Valle de Guadalupe with breathtaking views and a specialty in sauvignon blancs and reds.
- Bodegas Domecq: Another scenic vineyard that offers a journey through Mexican wine’s history with chocolate pairings.
What other places should I visit before they become popular?
Alongside Baja California, other low-profile gems mentioned in Travel + Leisure’s ranking include:
- Sardinia, Italy.
- Madagascar.
- Gargano, Italy.
- Asturias, Spain.
- The Southern Highlands, Australia.
- Mongolia.
- Bolivia.
- The Craigieburn Valley, New Zealand.
- Antarctica.
- Northern Morocco.
- Mozambique.
- Abruzzo, Italy.
- Onimichi, Japan.
- Slovenia.
- Montenegro.
- Albania.
- Nafplio, Greece.
- Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
- Laos.
- Milos, Greece.
- The Pacific Coast of Colombia.
- Egypt.
- Greenland.
- Uganda.
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Bhutan.
