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Cold Pacific surf at Rosarito and Ensenada, calm Sea of Cortez water at San Felipe, and wine country in Valle de Guadalupe.
Photo: JGEP060205 · CC BY-SA 4.0What to know
Baja California (not Baja California Sur) is the northern half of the peninsula. The Pacific side, from Rosarito down to Ensenada, has cold water and surf, and the wineries of Valle de Guadalupe are about half an hour inland from Ensenada. On the Sea of Cortez side, San Felipe and Bahía de los Ángeles have warmer, calmer water and desert all around.
In pictures
Photo: Roman Eugeniusz · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The numbers
Before you go
The best time to visit Baja California is generally June to October (warmest water; the grape harvest festivals are in August). This aligns with the dry season and comfortable temperatures for beach and outdoor activities.
Cross at San Diego–Tijuana or fly into Tijuana Airport (TIJ), then take Highway 1 down the Pacific side or Highway 5 to San Felipe.
Baja California has 33 beaches along its coast. Top destinations include Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito.
Popular cities in Baja California include Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito, San Felipe. Each offers distinct beaches, culture, and activities.
Baja California has a Mediterranean to Desert climate. Rainy season typically runs November to March; dry season April to October.
Baja California, Mexico
Cross at San Diego–Tijuana or fly into Tijuana Airport (TIJ), then take Highway 1 down the Pacific side or Highway 5 to San Felipe.
Most reviewed
Photo: Sickscott01 · CC BY-SA 4.0Playas de Rosarito, Baja California
Pacífico · 31.14° N · 114.89° W
Baja California
Pacífico · 31.71° N · 116.71° W
Baja California
Pacífico · 31.84° N · 116.61° W
Baja California
Pacífico · 31.19° N · 114.89° W
Baja California
Pacífico · 28.54° N · 114.09° W
Baja California
The full list
33 listed, by town, most-reviewed first.
Hotel occupancy · Mexicali
DataTur hotel occupancy for Mexicali (Baja California). DataTur reports by tourism destination, not by state: these are the figures for Mexicali. It also reports on Playas de Rosarito and San Felipe in Baja California.
Occupancy averages about 53% in January, so rooms are easier to find.
In 2024: busiest November (64.9%) · quietest December (48.7%)
January 2024 to December 2024, 0–100% occupancy scale.
Source: Official hotel occupancy statistics from DataTur (SECTUR Mexico). Aggregated across registered lodging categories.
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