Northern Baja is loaded with incredible places to visit, many being a short drive across the US-Mexico border. It’s spectacular having two oceans and a variety of inland places to explore here.
We have a series of driving videos on our YouTube channel documenting and showing many of the roads in Baja to help visitors get a feel for things before hitting the road. Start planning your trip and have fun exploring!
Table of Contents
Highway 5 – Mexicali to the Highway 1 Junction
Mexicali is a common border crossing and it spits you out right on Highway 5. It’s a good option for those wanting to push south to the Sea of Cortez immediately. Between Mexicali and San Felipe, you will cross a series of wetlands (rivers) with some options for camping or hotels.
As you near San Felipe, the Sea of Cortez becomes visible. San Felipe is a great beach-side town with plenty of services. It’s close to the border, making it a convenient place to explore by vehicle in Mexico.
It’s also popular with off-road folks and racers as there is plenty of desert and sand dunes abound. If you ride dirt bikes and buggies, there is a big community in the general San Felipe area.
Destinations on the Northern Sea of Cortez
The large majority of this landscape is wide open with ranches, dunes and off-road tracks. There are a few hubs and plenty of places to stop for camping and fun on the beach. As you drift towards the junction with Highway 1, the road crosses the desert interior with fewer places to stop.
San Felipe
If you didn’t grab supplies in Mexicali, San Felipe is the hub for groceries, gas and anything else you may need. It’s also a destination that can act as a quiet stop, a party town, and an enthusiastic off-road community depending on when you arrive.
In terms of accessibility and excellent beachfront views, you won’t find many places this close to the border that offer so much.
Puertecitos Hot Springs
A short ways south of San Felipe, the beaches quickly become more remote. As you make the drive south, be sure to spend a night (or a few) at the hot springs. They have a beautiful campground with electric hookups and the small community of just a few houses also has a natural hot spring area. Several pools sit right on the ocean, making for a wonderful contrast of hot soaking water and the cool ocean waters. Bring plenty of food and everything you need to camp because services are few and far between.
Gonzaga Bay
The last stop before you cross into the middle of Baja’s beautiful desert is Gonzaga Bay. It’s a great place to camp with several options. This place is remote, has few services and is one of my favorite stops on the peninsula. I love camping at Papa Fernandez, which is a private bay with very reasonable nightly rates. It even has a nice little restaurant at the base of the hill before you drive into the camp area.
Punta Final is another excellent option. It’s nice to have 4wd if you want to really push towards the end of this road. In my opinion, this is among the best beaches to camp on in all of Baja. You are remote so bring plenty of supplies and stay a while.
Highway 1 – Tijuana to Chapala
If you opt out of Highway 5 and drive Mex Highway 1, it will follow the Pacific coastline before turning east and inland to the same junction at Capala.
Tijuana going south follows highway 1 through Ensenada and along the Pacific Coast for a very long ways. Surfers like this stretch as do anglers wanting to fish the Pacific. Ensenada is a bustling city with service but the entire drive is dotted with small towns. San Quintin is a good jumping off point for fishing as well.
After El Rosario de Arriba, the road drifts off the coast and crosses inland, eventually meeting highway 5 at Chapala. This desert is stunning with big saguaro cactus and mountain views. Make sure you gas up before running this stretch however. Also carry plenty of water because it’s dry and services are limited.
Destinations On This Route
The rugged Pacific Coast is known for its big surf, robust fisheries and amazing vineyards. You can’t go wrong for scenery on this narrow and winding highway. Keep your eyes on the road however because it rarely has a shoulder and you are sharing the road with semi trucks and RV’s.
Rosarito
Just south of the border, you run right into Rosarito. Proximity to the border makes it a popular stop with amazing views, a robust nightlife and plenty of resorts catering to travelers. The beaches are fantastic and it’s a wonderful place to visit after crossing the border. If you don’t want to drive farther into Mexico, you can stop here and still enjoy the food and culture of Baja. You will also find plenty of adventure with ATV tours, horseback riding, paintball courses and more. It’s an active and fun place to visit.
Valle de Guadalupe
From the border crossing at Tecate to Ensenada is a quaint little highway. Highway 3 is one of my favorite drives as it courses through a beautiful valley dotted with Vineyards. The road is quiet, tranquil and between the vineyards you will also find local vendors selling wine and other goods. Many visitors come just for this specific experience and there are tour companies and wineries catering to your needs. It’s one of the best stops in Northern Baja.
Ensenada
Larger than Rosarito, the port city of Ensenada has some great places to stay. It’s also a nice place to stop for supplies before venturing farther south into Baja. It’s close to wineries, loaded with nightlife and is home to concerts and events throughout the year. Make sure to visit the Bufadora in Ensenada and consider taking an off-road tour to explore the mountains and coastline.
Punta Gorda and San Quintin
Now that you are south of the port city and border zone, things really mellow out. The population density is much lighter and the landscape remains equally beautiful. This area has more remote beaches, small fishing towns and great local eateries. The sportfishing is also world class with a great yellowtail tuna bite happening regularly. Make sure to grab some fresh oysters and enjoy fresh fish tacos while visiting.
El Rosario
The small village is significant because it’s the last place on Highway 1 in this northern section before the road turns inland. You find much in terms of infrastructure but there is plenty of open space. Visit the petroglyphs, explore beaches and do some fishing before entering a stretch of desert lined highways.
Catavina
If you’ve made it this far, your gas tank is likely near empty and you will be in awe of the insanely remote and jaw dropping landscape. There are a few motels here and gas is sold out of barrels by locals. The price is high but it can give you some much needed relief. This is no place to risk running your tank dry.
If you want to experience a unique landscape with exceptional sunsets, stars and surroundings, spend a few nights in Catavina.
Chapala to Guerrero Negro
Once you reach Chapala, Highway 1 and Highway 5 merge in the central peninsula. You can continue south on Baja Highway 1 all the way the next major stopping point, Guerrero Negro. This is a lonely stretch of highway with a few sneaky opportunities to jot off to the coast. Lookout for potholes and semi-trucks as you navigate this narrow segment of Highway. Also, make sure you have a full tank of gas for this area.
Guerrero Negro is the last stop for Baja Norte and it’s a hotspot for whale watching, fuel and supplies. Otherwise, most visitors will continue south from here.
Bahía de Los Angeles
South of Chapala, there is one junction that splits off to the Sea of Cortez. The big green sign for Bahia de Los Angeles leads the way to one of the most remote destinations on the Sea of Cortez.
It’s a must-visit, off the beaten path place with great camping and wildlife. Bring cash because you’ll need it for fuel and supplies in the small community. I also recommend taking a tour off-shore here to really see the marine life and ecosystem.
We will have an in-depth guide for this destination as well.
Are You Ready for Baja Norte?
While the beaches of Baja Sur often steal the spotlight, the northern peninsula is nothing short of spectacular. It’s convenient to the United States border and is filled with world class destinations. The road trip friendly region is the perfect getaway for a few days or a few months of exploring.
