Adventure Advisor:

Climbers have long considered Baja to be a giant granite playground. Within a day's drive of California, two of its national parks boast desert peaks that overlook the ocean. The dramatic combination of forest, desert and beach is something you won't soon forget. It's definitely worth braving those south-of-the-border highways (but be sure to pack a spare tire or two).

Just outside of Ensenada, 12,270 acres of protected land make up Constitucion de 1857 National Park. Though you'll probably do more scrambling here than multi-pitch stuff, there's still plenty to keep you busy.

But if you're looking for a real challenge, I recommend Picacho el Diablo in Sierra San Pedro Martir National Park. Baja's tallest peak, it pokes up in the middle of the peninsula, about 12 hours south of San Diego. Reaching the summit involves a couple days of a not-so-gentle, 8,400-foot elevation gain. Expect to spend a good amount of time whacking your way through thick scrub and scrambling up dry waterfalls. But at the top you'll be rewarded with a view of the Gulf of California.

The Sierra Club leads occasional climb trips to "Big Picacho." For information go to www.angeles.sierraclub.org/dps.

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