Destination: Baja California, Mexico.
Baja California Sur is hot, dry, harsh and unforgiving. Baja’s deserts stretch relentlessly from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean. Prickly cactus, sharp rocks and hot, hot heat fill your view as you wind down the nearly 1,000 mile Trans-peninsular Highway from the slums of Tijuana to the land’s end, known in Spanish as Cabo.
In stark contrast to and rising out of the abrasive landscape are things of ridiculous beauty. Brilliant green cactuses tower over reddish brown desert expanses. Deep dark grey storm clouds dump buckets of warm rain over barren landscapes. Blue-green salty sea water laps the empty shores of the Sea of Cortez.
To me, Baja California is probably the most beautiful, awe-inspiring place I’ve ever been to. And more so than most places I’ve seen, travelling in Baja California is 100% about the journey and not the destination.
The Basics of Surfing in Baja California
Speak: Spanish
Currency: Mexican peso and US dollar
Watch out for: Corrupt cops, breakdowns, accidents, thieves, sharp rocks, urchins, and too much tequila.
Quiver: Bring a shortboard, fish, gun and longboard if you can. Baja offers it all. Read about choosing the right surfboard for your trip.
Water temps: Wetsuits in the north, tropical gear or bikini in the south.
Best seasons:
- North Baja: Best in winter
- South Baja: Best in late summer
Getting There
Rough going. Get your 4×4 tuned up and bring supplies. You’ll inevitably pass overturned Baja warrior trucks, decaying shells of RVs or someone’s motor vehicle dreams of yesteryear living out their lives immobile, lost to the desert.
Heed their warning: come prepared or suffer the consequences. The Transpeninsular Highway has undergone many improvements – wider lanes, more signage and warnings – but it is still not Interstate 5. Scary overtaking situations, wrecks and many Federal police checkpoints are a given. If you’re heading off-road, say to Scorpion Bay, bring tools, extra tyres, water and fuel. Baja is a good place to test your luck and your truck.
If all this Mad Max-esque action sounds too much, fly. There are direct flights from San Diego and Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas, La Paz and Loreto. You can rent a car once you land or hitch a ride in a beat up Mazda while holding your suitcase out the window. It’s been done.
Book Your Flights to Baja California
Baja California is served by two main airports, depending on where you’re heading:
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) – ideal for Northern Baja surf spots (Ensenada, Rosarito, San Miguel)
- Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) – best for Southern Baja (Todos Santos, Cerritos, San José del Cabo)
👉 Check flight prices and book your trip here:
https://trip.tp.st/mxlUffRp
Tip: Flights fill up quickly during surf season (November–March), so booking early is recommended.
Getting to Baja California : Flights, Border Crossings, and Driving Options
There are two main ways to reach Baja California: fly into one of the southern hubs or cross the US–Mexico border and drive south. Each option has its perks, depending on where you’re going and how much time you have.
Flying Into Baja California
If you’re short on time or heading straight to the southern surf zones, flying is the easiest option.
- Cabo San Lucas (SJD) is the main international hub for Baja Sur. You can fly direct from Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Mexico City and other major cities.
- La Paz (LAP) and Loreto (LTO) are smaller but convenient options for surf travellers heading to Scorpion Bay, the Sea of Cortez, or further north.
Car Hire in Baja California
Once you land, you’ll want wheels. Surf spots, beaches and remote towns in Baja are rarely walkable. A 4×4 is highly recommended, especially if you’re heading to Scorpion Bay, East Cape, or anywhere off the main highway.
You can pick up a car at the airport in Cabo, La Paz, Loreto, or at the Tijuana airport if crossing from the US.
Crossing from the US: Tijuana, San Diego, and CBX
If you’re based in the US or flying into California, crossing the border from San Diego to Tijuana is a cost-effective and flexible option.
- Walk across at San Ysidro: Park in San Diego, walk into Tijuana, and grab a taxi or rental car on the other side.
- Use the Cross Border Xpress (CBX): A private pedestrian bridge from San Diego airport to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ). Easy for international travellers heading deeper into Mexico.
From there, you can:
- Fly within Mexico (e.g. Tijuana to La Paz or Loreto)
- Rent a car in Tijuana and begin the road trip down Baja Norte to Ensenada, Rosarito or San Quintin
Driving the Baja California Peninsula
If you’re keen for the classic Baja road trip, you can drive the full Transpeninsular Highway (Highway 1) from Tijuana to Cabo — just under 1,700 km of desert, coast, and surf stops.
Expect narrow lanes, military checkpoints, roadside tacos, and the occasional cow in the road. It’s a long, memorable drive with limited mobile signal in some parts — but absolutely worth it if you love a surf adventure.
Top stopovers:
- Ensenada (Northern Baja)
- Guerrero Negro (mid-point & whale watching)
- Scorpion Bay (off-road detour)
- Loreto (Sea of Cortez)
- Cabo San Lucas or East Cape
Baja California Road Trip
Tijuana & Baja Norte
My family and I have been going to Tijuana, Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo as long as I can remember. My mum is the queen of the strategic Tijuana strike: drive to the border, get a cab to La Revolucion, eat lunch, shop at the grocery store and pharmacy, buy something with the Virgin of Guadalupe on it, have a beer at Hotel Nelson, walk back across the border and be in San Diego by sunset.
For a while, our strikes to Tijuana, Sundays eating cheap lobster in Puerto Nuevo and weekends at surf spots like Salsipuedes (Spanish for “leave if you can”) all stopped because of rumours of cartel violence and kidnappings.
Today, things in Baja Norte have turned around. I’ve been going back to Tijuana and Northern Baja without incident. Nothing compares to hopping the border into a wild and foreign world for an afternoon. Fears are fading, proven by the booming popularity of the Valle de Guadalupe.
Valle de Guadalupe
The magic of Baja Norte is that you can surf in the morning and taste wine in the afternoon. Hire a driver through UberValle or your hotel to take you safely from winery to winery. Decide on a few to visit and don’t miss lunch.
The Valle de Guadalupe is Baja’s wine country and has blown up in recent years. I love Finca La Carrodilla, the first certified organic winery in the region. Another fave is Vena Cava, where the winemaking happens in salvaged boats.
Wrap up your tastings with a lazy lunch at Finca Altozano or TrasLomita. This area is leading the way in modern cuisine for all of Mexico, so don’t skip a proper meal after all that wine.
Renting a Car in Baja
If you’re planning a Baja road trip, renting a car is the easiest way to explore surf spots and beaches at your own pace.
👉 Check rental car prices here:
https://economybookings.tp.st/w3E0wCnv
Along the Sea of Cortez
The stretch of road from Santa Rosalia to Loreto is particularly memorable. After a rough desert drive, the truck coasts down Devil’s Crest and hits the shoreline. The Sea of Cortez flips between aquamarine, emerald and navy blue.
Fishing villages nap in the heat. Around Bahía Concepción, red-sand islands pop up like desert jewels. Stop for a swim, and you might meet a fisherman selling clams you can slurp live from the shell. Each beach is more perfect than the last, until you hit Loreto and head back inland to the working town of Constitucion.
“You’ll never forget that along the Sea of Cortez, life is but a dream”.
Scorpion Bay (San Juanico)
Quick list of why Scorpion Bay rules: boards, burritos, boats, brown vans, babes, and Daviel (local legend and surf guide).
Scorpion is a chain of right-hand point breaks with different take-off zones. With a good south swell, people ride waves for almost a mile from 4th point to 1st. It’s also the best place for a first point party and a game of dizzy bat.
You’ll meet locals on the beach and might even end up at a baile (dance). Best place to stay? Scorpion Bay Club – the only spot with hot water, A/C, comfy beds and a pool table.
Cabo San Lucas
Skip El Squid Row and hit Pedregal, Lover’s Beach, or San Jose del Cabo for culture, waves and art. When you head East, stop by Flora Farms – a garden oasis with homegrown food, stunning cocktails and a carrot margarita you’ll never forget.
East Cape
The East Cape might be the happiest place on earth for regular footers.
I’ve been coming here since I was a baby – it was my first international trip, and my grandfather’s favourite place. Over the years I’ve surfed Shipwrecks, caught marlin off Palmas Del Cortez, and waited out hurricanes on the sand.
My favourite couple in the world lives just down the road. The East Cape is raw, beautiful and full of stories. I reckon it’s my favourite place in all of Baja.
My Favourite Surf Spots in Baja California
There are endless waves across the Baja Peninsula, but these are my personal favourites — spots I’ve surfed multiple times and always go back to.
K-38, Baja Norte
Just south of Rosarito, K-38 is a reliable right-hand reef break that seems to always be doing something. It handles wind well and works best on a west to northwest swell. I love staying across the road at Club Marena, watching the lines roll in while having a morning coffee. And the fish tacos after your session? K-38 Tacos always delivers.
San Miguel, Ensenada
San Miguel is one of Baja’s most consistent and classic waves. It’s a cobblestone point just outside Ensenada that holds size and can get punchy on a combo swell. Locals are dialled, so bring your A-game and your manners.
Scorpion Bay (3rd & 4th Point)
When a solid south swell lines up, 3rd and 4th Point at Scorpion Bay can link up for rides that feel endless. It’s the ultimate goofy-footer dream: cruisey walls, warm water, and desert cliffs in the background. If you time it right, you can connect multiple sections. The best days feel more like dance than surf.
Shipwrecks, East Cape
Shipwrecks is my favourite wave in the Cabo area. A punchy right-hander on a rocky reef, it works best on a south swell with medium to high tide. It’s not a beginner spot, but it’s rewarding when it turns on. Early mornings are best before the wind kicks in — and don’t forget to pack shade and snacks. This is the desert, after all.
There are dozens of other waves I’ve loved over the years, but these ones hold a special place in my Baja California story.
👉 Browse Baja California tours, surf lessons, and activities here:
https://getyourguide.tpk.mx/vttZF2
Travelling Baja California with Kids
Babies encanta Mexico (Babies love Mexico).
Here’s how to travel Baja with little ones:
- Rent a 4×4 – So you can park on the beach and swap surfs during naps.
- Create a mobile kitchen – Cooler, cutting board, utensils. Pack it in checked luggage.
- Head-to-toe rashies, always – For you and the kids. Plus hats, shade, and sunscreen.
- Learn some Spanish – “Olas” (waves), “rocas” (rocks), and “cuantos meses tiene el bebé?” go a long way.
- Make friends with the locals – Even crusty expats soften at baby smiles.
- Take a break from the sun – Go have a cocktail under a pool umbrella at Cabo Surf Hotel.
Where to Stay in Baja California
If you’re looking for accommodation close to the main surf breaks, you can compare hotels and guesthouses here:
👉 Find hotels in Baja California on Agoda
https://agoda.tp.st/dUx8OmKc
Northern Baja: K-38 & Rosarito
When we’re in Northern Baja, we always stay at Club Marena. It overlooks the break at K-38, which seems to have a wave almost every day of the year. The pool is heated, the units are self-contained (perfect for groups or families), and it’s just down the road from Puerto Nuevo, where you can smash grilled lobster and a cold Tecate.
Don’t miss K-38 Tacos — casual, consistent and exactly what you want after a surf.
Affiliate opportunity: Booking.com, Airbnb, or direct hotel links for Club Marena.
Cabo: Boutique Hotels and Surf Convenience
For a boutique experience on the Pacific coast, we loved Hotel San Cristóbal. It’s tucked away in the growing surf-meets-design hub of El Pescadero, near Todos Santos, and oozes laid-back luxury.
But our go-to is the Cabo Surf Hotel, or a good Airbnb near Old Man’s and Zippers. You can walk to the surf in the morning and spend the evenings in San José del Cabo, eating ceviche and sipping mezcal.
If you’re craving remoteness and a slower pace, stay on the East Cape. The surf is epic, the stars are wild, and the fish tacos hit different — but it’s remote. Bring food, water, shade, fuel, and ideally, mates who know how to change a tyre.
Scorpion Bay: Surf and Stay Sorted
If you’re heading to Scorpion Bay, just book into the Scorpion Bay Hotel. It’s got everything — backup power, cold drinks, ice (critical), and one of the few restaurants in town. After a day of connecting waves from 4th to 1st Point, you’ll be glad for the hot showers and clean, cool rooms.
Where to Eat in Baja California
- La Especial (Tijuana): Old-school tacos – beef, potato, and pure nostalgia.
- Traylor’s (Ensenada): Vampiro tacos with melted cheese and guac.
- El Malarimo (Guerrero Negro): Upscale mariscos halfway to Scorpion Bay. Yes, there’s a whale penis photo on the wall.
- Backstreet Taquerias (Cabo): Rainbow salsas, fried onions, and shrimp cocktails the size of your head.
- Carnitas Los Michoacanos (San Jose): Crispy pork from copper pots and the best guac of your life.
- Street food: Trust your instincts. If locals are eating ceviche under a bridge, join them.
Is Baja California Safe?
Yes — with awareness and preparation, Baja is safe to travel, even solo.
Many areas that once had a sketchy rep (like Tijuana and Northern Baja) have become increasingly tourist-friendly. You’ll find expats, surf travellers, and locals living full-time in towns from Ensenada to Cabo.
That said:
- Use common sense (don’t drive at night, don’t flash expensive gear)
- Be polite and respectful (especially to locals and ex-pats who call it home)
- Keep your passport, cash, and cards in separate places
- If you’re heading off-grid (like Scorpion Bay or the East Cape), bring supplies and let someone know your route
The biggest risks aren’t cartels — it’s car trouble, heatstroke, or hitting a cow at night. Plan well and Baja will be good to you.
Your Baja Story Is Waiting
“One’s options in this world are as vast as the horizon, which is technically a circle and thus infinitely broad. Yet we must choose each step we take with utmost caution, for the footprints we leave behind are as important as the path we will follow. They’re part of the same journey — our story.”
― Lori R. Lopez, Dance Of The Chupacabras
I’m always stunned by the beauty and serenity tucked into such a raw, wild place. Baja builds character. Baja makes you a better traveller. It’s vast, it’s unpredictable, and it’s unforgettable.
So what are you waiting for?
Want to learn more about Baja? Read an article I wrote about Baja California in World Travel Magazine.