ACCESS + RESOURCES
GETTING THERE Flights to San Diego are often cheaper, and more frequent, than those to Tijuana. Bonita Costa Tours and Charters ($120 for two people, $10 for each additional passenger; 619-227-8927) offers shuttle service from SAN to TIJ—where you can pick up your rental car. PRIME TIME November through March is high season, but Baja is best in late spring, when temperatures are still moderate and tourists are few. GETTING AROUND Alamo (carrentaltijuana.com) at the Tijuana airport offers full-size cars ($50 per day) with one of the lowest drop-off fees ($650) for Los Cabos airport. Gas stations are rare, so fill up every chance you get. CAMPING Many beaches in Baja are free—just park and pitch—but campgrounds will charge a fee. For fishing, buy a license from one of the state tourism offices. For more info, check out discoverbajacalifornia.com.
WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT TO DO
NORTHERN BAJA
Ensenada> Hotel Cortez: This downtown hotel is close to the city's best bars. Doubles, $95; 011-52-646-178-2307. Hussong's Cantina: Don't pass through town without hitting up this famous watering hole. 011-52-646-178-3210. San Quintín> Los Poblanos: Belly up to the counter for a flank-steak taco at this taquería on the highway's west side.
CENTRAL BAJA
Cataviña> Desert Inn Cataviña: 28 rooms surround a central courtyard and swimming pool. Doubles, $79; desertinns.com. Rosarito> Rosarito Beach: Hang a right five miles south of Rosarito, near kilometer marker 61 on Mex 1, between Punta Prieta and Guerrero Negro, and head two miles down the dirt road for your choice of perfect beaches and campsites. San Lucas> San Lucas Cove: North of Mulegé, on the Sea of Cortez, there's great oyster-picking near two campgrounds. Follow signs to San Lucas RV Park and hike to the mangroves. Mulegé> Bahía Concepción: Some of the bay's most secluded beaches are at the end of a maze of dirt roads about seven miles south of Mulegé. Loreto> Mc. LuLu's: LuLu herself mans the deep fryer at this taco stand in central Loreto.
SOUTHERN BAJA
La Paz> Hotel Perla: 110 rooms face Bahía de La Paz or the inn's immaculate gardens. Doubles from $75; hotelperlabaja.com. Baja Outdoor Activities: This outfitter offers everything from nine-day sea-kayaking trips around Isla Espíritu Santo ($790) to daily kayak rentals (from $35). kayactivities.com. Todos Santos> Caffé Todos Santos: Grab a chai frappe in the café's bougainvillea-covered patio. 011-52-612-145-0300. San José del Cabo> The Westin Resort and Spa: Authentic Mexican character, with an ocean view from every room. Doubles from $285; westinloscabos.com.
