California Vacationing

Have you ever been to California? If you have, chances are that you’ve hit all the popular hot spots like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. You’ve probably seen all of the tourist stops. You’ve been to Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, Lombard Street, and Alcatraz. There are likely photos on your phone of you standing in front of the Golden Gate Bridge or on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Once you’ve experienced these tourist-friendly locations, you may be thinking that you’ve seen everything California has to offer, but you haven’t seen Baja.

Baja is a peninsula that separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California and it’s the spot for adventures. If you’re done with the boring old stuff that everyone has been doing, then you’re headed to the right spot. If you want to swim with giants or kayak the open sea, Baja has all of the adventures you’re looking for.

The Best Adventures in Baja

1. Swimming With Whale Sharks –Have you ever had the desire to swim next to a forty thousand pound shark? In Baja, you can do that. Many of the local adventure companies offer whale shark experiences, allowing guests to just into the open ocean and get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Swim beside them, beneath them, or just casually observe from a distance. The choice is yours, but it’s an experience you’re guaranteed not to forget.

2. Kayaking the Sea of Cortez –Whether you’re an experienced kayaker or not, the Sea of Cortez experience is a great one to try. The water is gentle enough for beginners but still unique if you’ve both been there and done that. Comparable in exertion level to biking or hiking, the sea kayaking trips take you to some of the best whale watching spots that Baja has to offer. Check out the sites, enjoy some food, and either head back or camp for the night.

3. Off Roading Adventures –Baja isn’t just about the beautiful beaches and the wildlife of the sea. It’s also jam-packed with open deserts that are the perfect landscape for an incredible driving experience. As long as you have a driver’s license and experience with a manual transmission, you can hop into one of the cars used in the Score Baja 1000 cars. After a couple laps with a guide,you’re set free to roam the desert track on your own.

4. Whale Watching –Want a great winter activity? Then head to Saint Ignacio lagoon, where gray whales are known to go in order to give birth to their young. Aboard a modest skiff, adventurers will be able to get up close and personal with these forty foot mammals. Don’t be surprised if they approach the boat and allow you some contact either! Even if they don’t get that close, you’ll get to see them spy hop (poke their heads out of the water repeatedly) and breach (jump out of the water). Sightings are guaranteed, so you can’t go wrong with this one.

5. Cave Paintings and Missions–Want a little history with your vacation? Then this adventure is a must-do! Check out the pictographs of the Cochimi Indians as painted on the inside of caves. These paintings are reported to be over 5000 years old and some of the missions date back to the 1700s. If you’re looking for a vacation outside the norm, Baja is a great place to start. You could have an action-packed trip without even trying!